Management TeamAlison James • Karin Jenkins • Wayne Pedrick

MusicCentreInformationBooklet

WEST GLAMORGAN MUSICCERDDORIAETH GORLLEWIN MORGANNWG

West Glamorgan Music is at theheart of music making in SouthWales and has been a flagshipmusic service in the UK since 1974.As one of the largest local authority musicservices in Wales, West Glamorgan Musicemploys close to 100 instrumental, vocaland curriculum teachers, who teach over16,500 children in schools and musiccentres across the both counties. We areproud to be a Partner in the Six CountiesHub (ERW) and National Youth Orchestraof Wales and Ty Cerdd (National YouthBrass Band, National Youth JazzOrchestra, National Wind Orchestra ofWales).As part of the Youth Arts Wales Pyramid,your child will receive instrumentallessons at school, and their instrumentalteacher will give them the opportunity tojoin our out of hours county musiccentres, upon reaching the requiredstandard.

Joining a county music centre gives yourchild membership of West Glam YouthMusic which offers exciting opportunitiesfor your child to develop their instrumentalskills, playing in a brass band, stringorchestra, wind orchestra, symphonyorchestra, rock and pop, keyboard, guitar,harp and recorder groups. Our musiccentres are held in the evenings atschools in Neath, Port Talbot andSwansea. Your child’s membership andtraining, starts at beginner level,progressing to training and eventuallyyouth level. This will act as a springboardand develop the necessary skills to allowthem to audition for the Six Countiesensembles and the top of the pyramid byrepresenting their country in the nationalensembles.Please read on to see what excitingopportunities we have to offer your childat our county music centres.

West Glamorgan Music believes in making every child'smusic matter and exists to promote youth music at all levelsof ability and attainment across the counties of Neath PortTalbot and Swansea.

This booklet compiles information onall of the county centres and musicalactivities that we at West GlamorganYouth Music offer on a weekly basis,during term time only.If you have any further questions pleasedo not hesitate to contact the CountyMusic Office.Contact Us: Management Team: AlisonJames, Karin Jenkins, Wayne Pedrick

Address: West Glamorgan Music, Y.G.G.Gellionnen School Site, GellionnenRoad, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5HEOpen Monday to Friday(term times only)Office opening Hours:Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pmFriday: 8:30am - 3:30pm

About this Booklet

Centre fees for the Academic Year 2015-2016Per academic year: £60Per term (3 terms in total): £20 per termDiscount for Siblings per academic year: £30

MondayFuture Blood Venue: PontardaweArts Centre

West Glamorgan Rock andPop Session Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm Standard: IntermediateThe future blood project which is runin conjunction with Pontardawe ArtsCentre, aims to provide aspiring rockand pop musicians with anintroduction to the world of the musicindustry.

West GlamorganYouth SymphonyOrchestra Venue: Brangwyn Hall

West Glamorgan YouthSymphony Orchestra Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grade 6+

Players from across the county areinvited to audition for the new WGMSenior Orchestra. This is an excitingopportunity to gain orchestralexperience for those players wantingto progress to the ERW Orchestraand the NYOW. The Youth SymphonyOrchestra will be launched onMonday 2nd of November 2015 andwill run during term time only.Auditions will be held during October2015.

Swansea CommunityOrchestra Venue: Brangwyn Hall

Swansea CommunityOrchestra Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Standard: BeginnerThe sixty strong SwanseaCommunity Orchestra is a symphonyorchestra for adults. Rehearsals areheld at the Brangwyn Hall everyMonday evening (during term time),performing exclusively classicalrepertoire. The orchestra performs concerts atvenues across both authorities ofNeath Port Talbot and City of Countyof Swansea.Last years repertoire included Dvorak8, Elgar Cello Concerto, SibeliusSymphony No: 2 and BrahmsSymphony No: 1. Next season therepertoire planned is to includeTchaikovsky and Mozart. Theorchestra is always keen to invitenew members. No audition isnecessary for those new membersinterested in joining.

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WednesdayWest GlamorganBrass Band CentreVenue: Y.G.G. Pontardawe

Beginner ClassTime: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: BeginnerThe Beginner Class is designed tointroduce the concept of ensembleplaying; helping to improve generalmusicianship skills in a smallensemble environment.

Junior Brass BandTime: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Grades 1-2The Junior Brass Band develops thebasic ensemble skills learnt in thebeginner class, this time in a brassband setting.

Training Brass BandTime: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Grades 3-5The Training Brass Band enablesplayers to gain performanceexperience through youthcompetitions and concerts.

Youth Brass BandTime: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grades 6+

The Youth Brass Band providesopportunities for performance andrehearsal development needed forsuccessful musicianship.We are able to provide transport toand from this county centre. Pleasesee the pickup information below.Coach One5:15pmGowerton Surgery(Mill Street, SA4 3ED)5:30pmYnysforgan (Smiths Pet Foods,SA6 6QW)

Coach Two5:15pmPort Talbot (Bagle Brook, SA12 8ES)5:35pmNeath (Dwr-y-Felin ComprehensiveSchool, SA10 7RE)

West GlamorganHarp CentreGroup 1 Venue: Y.G.G. LonlasTime: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Group 2 Venue: Y.G. Gwyr Time: 3:30pm-5:30pmThis ensemble provides pupils withthe opportunity to come together andplay as part of an ensemble, makefriends from different schools anddevelop musicianship skills.

ThursdayWest GlamorganTraining Orchestra Venue: CwmtaweCommunity School

West Glamorgan TrainingOrchestra Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner – Grade 5The training orchestra provides anenvironment where children canimprove on general musicianship skillsthrough playing as part of anorchestra.

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• Dealers and specialists inmusical instruments.

• A huge range of sheetmusic for all instrumentsand abilities.

• Gifts and InstrumentAccessories.

• Instrument repairs andpiano tuning.

• Authorised PublicExamination Centre for theAssociation Board of theRoyal School of Music.

Wilks Music Stores Ltd1325 Carmarthen Road,

Fforestfach, Swansea SA5 4BPTel: 01792 561861

Email: wilksmusic@yahoo.co.uk

West Glamorgan TrainingChamber Ensemble Time: 7:30pm - 8:00pm Standard: Grade 3+In addition to the training orchestra,players of around grade 3 standardare invited to play with the chamberensemble.

Guitars Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: Beginner +Group acoustic guitar lessons fromBeginner to Intermediate level.

Beginner Keyboard/Theory Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Standard: BeginnerThis class provides an introduction tokeyboard skills and music theory.

FridayWest GlamorganJunior and TrainingBrass Band CentreVenue: Dwr-y-FelinComprehensive School

Beginner Brass BandTime: 5:00pm - 7:00pm The Beginner Brass Band is designedto introduce the concept of ensembleplaying. It helps improve reading andsocial skills in a small ensembleenvironment.

Junior Brass Band Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grades 1-2The Junior Brass Band develops thebasic ensemble skills learned in thebeginner class and builds on them,this time in a brass band setting.

Training Brass BandTime: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Standard: Grades 3-5Pupils who are between grades 3-5will advance to the Training BrassBand; this ensemble enables playersto gain performance experiencethrough youth competitions andConcerts.

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West GlamorganTraining String CentreVenue: Dwr-y-FelinComprehensive School

Training String Orchestra Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pmStandard: Beginner – Grade 5The Training String Orchestra isdesigned to give pupils rehearsal andperformance experience to gainvaluable musicianship skills.

West GlamorganRecorder Centre Venue: Bishop Gore School

West Glamorgan RecorderEnsemble Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Standard: Beginner+Recorder players are invited to play aspart of an ensemble. Developmentopportunities through performanceand tuition give pupils valuablemusicianship skills.

FridayWest GlamorganWind CentreVenue: Bishop Gore School

Junior Wind BandTime: 6:00pm - 7.30pmStandard: Beginner – Grade 1The Junior Wind Band is designed tointroduce the concept of ensembleplaying. It helps improve reading andsocial skills in a small ensembleenvironment.

Training Wind Band Time: : 6:00pm - 8:00pm Standard: Grade 2 – Grade 5Skills from the Junior Wind Band aredeveloped further in the Training WindBand.

Youth Wind BandTime: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grade 5+The Youth Wind Band providesopportunities for performance andrehearsal development needed forsuccessful musicianship.

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West GlamorganString Centre Venue: Bishop Gore School

Training Strings Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pmStandard: Beginner – Grade 5The Training String Orchestra isdesigned to give pupils rehearsal andperformance experience to gainvaluable musicianship skills.

Youth Strings Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm Standard: Grade 5+The Youth String Orchestra providesopportunities for performance andrehearsal development, needed forsuccessful musicianship. We are able to provide transport toand from this county centre. Pleasesee the pickup information below.Coach One5:15pmPontardawe Bus Bay (Jubilee Club)Ynysforgan (Smiths Pet Food, SA66QW)Morriston (Lidl, SA6 6JA)

Coach Two5:15pmPort Talbot (Bagle Brook, SA12 8ES)Neath (Neath College, SA10 7RF)Morriston (Lidl, SA6 6JA)

“Half our choir used the musicservice as young people, and stillshare their musicality now!”

• We welcome all newsingers, particularly bassand tenor voices

• There is no auditionprocess

• We practice at the Gnoll,Neath every Wednesdayevening at 7pm

• Please contact the weblink below for contactdetails and we lookforward to meeting you!

www.ospreyssupporterschoir.org

Ospreys Supporters Choir

@ospreyschoir

“Friends” exist to promoteYouth Music at all levels of abilityand attainment and is run by acommittee of volunteers whowork closely with the CountyMusic Service.Becoming a Friend is an excellent way ofsupporting West Glamorgan’s youngpeople to make music. �The FriendsAssociation supports all West Glamorgan’sCounty Youth Music Groups to enhanceyoung peoples’ musical experiences andopportunities through:

• Financial contributions towards thepurchase of instruments

• Tour subsidies• Promotion of and support for concerts,

master classes and competitions• Sponsorship of brochures• Commissions

How to Join the Friends ofWest Glamorgan Youth MusicAnyone can become a member of theFriends, indeed, we encourage all parentsto join the Friends in order to support ouryoung musicians, who deserve the verybest musical opportunities that we canprovide.

We are always looking for new volunteersto join this group and we would welcomemore help as the Friends will have anincreasing role in funding concerts,courses and ensembles in the future.

How the Friends of WestGlamorgan Youth Musicis RunWe are run by a friendly and enthusiasticcommittee. We always welcome additionalhelp, both as a committee member and/orhelping at any of our county musiccentres/occasional concert duties sellingrefreshments, concert tickets andprogrammes. We would appreciate yourhelp either as a new committee memberor supporting the concerts and centres,whichever you prefer. Please do makecontact if you feel able to give a little ofyour time to support West Glamorgan’syoung musicians through the Friends.

Friends Patron SchemeFor more significant benefits and toprovide extra help to West Glamorgan’syoung musicians please considerbecoming a Patron. Our Patrons receive:

• Two free tickets for all concerts• Reserved VIP seats• An invitation to VIP receptions• An acknowledgement of their valued

support in our programmes (subject toyour approval)

• Opportunity to sponsor a player orEnsemble

If you would like to become a Friend or aPatron, please feel free to visit our Friendsof West Glamorgan Youth Music page onour websitewww.westglamorganmusic.co.uk, emailus at fwgym@btconnect.com or contactthe Chair of the Friends, Mr WynneGriffiths, c/o County Music Office, Y.G.G.Gellionnen School Site, Gellionnen Road,Clydach, Swansea SA6 5HE.

Friends Of West Glamorgan Youth Music

Reg. Charity No.513660

Come along to the music centreduring term time and staff willprovide you with the necessaryconsent and registration forms. From September 2015 we will be launchinga new payment method; ‘SchoolMoney’ isan easy, safe and secure way of paying foryour child's centre fees online. This will belaunched in the first week of the autumnterm which will be a registration week.Our aim over the next few years is tobecome paper free, so we will be launchingour new look website in September 2015westglamorganmusic.co.uk, where you willeventually be able to register and pay onlineat the same time. You will also be able tofollow all our up to date information on ourfacebook page West Glamorgan Youth Music.

What membership of West GlamorganYouth Music entitles you to:• One year’s membership playing at your

chosen county music centre(s)• Automatic membership of the Friends of

West Glamorgan Youth Music forParents/Carers (see website for furtherinformation)

• Performances at music centre and WestGlamorgan Youth Music showcaseconcerts, master classes andopportunities to tour when in the youthensembles

• Access to audition for membership ofERW Ensembles and NationalEnsembles (when pupils reach therequired standard).

How to join West Glamorgan Music

West Glamorgan Youth Music – Weekly Music Centre TimetableDAY ACTIVITY TIME VENUE

Monday Future Blood 4.30pm - 6.00pm Pontardawe Arts CentreWest Glamorgan Youth Symphony 5.00pm - 7.00pm Brangwyn HallOrchestraSwansea Community Orchestra 7.00pm - 9.00pm Brangwyn Hall

Wednesday West Glamorgan Beginner, Junior 5:30pm - 7:30pm Y.G.G. Pontardaweand Training Brass BandWest Glamorgan Youth Brass Band 6:00pm - 8.30pm Y.G.G. PontardaweWest Glamorgan Harp 6:00pm - 8:00pm Y.G.G. LonlasEnsemble Group 1West Glamorgan Youth Harp 3:30pm - 5:30pm Y.G. GwyrEnsemble Group 2

Thursday West Glamorgan Training Orchestra, 5:30pm - 7:30pm Cwmtawe Community SchoolGuitars and Beginner KeyboardWest Glamorgan Training 7:30pm - 8:00pm Cwmtawe Community SchoolChamber Ensemble

Friday West Glamorgan Training Brass 5:00pm - 7:00pm Dwr-y-Felin Comp. Schooland String OrchestrasWest Glamorgan Junior Wind Band 6:00pm - 7:30pm Bishop Gore SchoolWest Glamorgan Training String 6:00pm - 8:00pm Bishop Gore SchoolOrchestra, Wind BandWest Glamorgan Recorder Ensemble 7:00pm - 8:00pm Bishop Gore School West Glamorgan Youth String 6:00pm - 8:30pm Bishop Gore SchoolOrchestra and Wind Band