A musical group that\u2019s providing a lockdown lifeline for people in Gwynedd with and without learning disabilities has launched a new video with the help of some star names.<\/p>\n
Performing with the members, tutors and volunteers involved in the Canfod y G\u00e2n (Discovering Music) project were Geraint Lovgreen, from Caernarfon, Dewi Pws who lives in Nefyn on the Ll\u0177n Peninsula, along with Rhys Parry who plays guitar in Bryn F\u00f4n\u2019s popular band.<\/p>\n
The video was produced using audio and video from members improvising musically which were recorded by family members or support workers on phones and tablets.<\/p>\n
The music track was then mixed and edited by Edwin Humphreys, from Pwllheli, a tutor with the project and the video was created by Gwydion Davies, from Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre (CGWM).<\/p>\n
The Coronavirus pandemic hasn\u2019t stopped the group from making music despite the fact they can no longer meet up for their fortnightly sessions in Caernarfon, Pwllheli and Harlech.<\/p>\n
Led by CGWM and working in partnership with Gwynedd Council’s Learning Disability Team, they have put together a video of members performing the national anthem of Wales as well as the group\u2019s own unique signature piece which they\u2019re hoping will go viral on social media.<\/p>\n
The project, which is funded by a three-year grant from Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 legacy fund, gives disabled and non-disabled people the opportunity to come together as equals to create music with the aim of improving mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Matthew Murray, 25, from Bangor, a member of the Caernarfon group, loves being part of the group.<\/p>\n
He said \u201cI like to rap and have been writing my own stuff for a long time. My social worker was looking for a music project I could get involved with and that\u2019s how I got to be with Canfod y G\u00e2n.<\/p>\n
\u201c<\/em>I volunteer in a cafe at the leisure center in Caernarfon on Mondays\u2019 or until the virus I did. So, I started going to Canfod y G\u00e2n after my shift in the cafe. I love working with other people and like pretty much everything about the group.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>I\u2019ve met a friend there who volunteers and we are going to work together on some raps and we plan to record some of my lyrics. That\u2019s really exciting.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>I write what comes to mind. I write about things that are going on in my life, about family issues and things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI enjoyed being involved with the video that we have done. I wrote lyrics about the hard times and how we are coping with the pandemic and friends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n Terry Tuffrey, 20, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, is a member of the Harlech group and is a student at\u00a0 Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in Dolgellau where he is studying independent living skills.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI usually go every other Tuesday night and like it a lot.\u00a0 I\u2019m a very sociable person and I get to meet friends from Harlech and the area. It\u2019s always good fun and I learn new singing skills.<\/p>\n \u201cThey often have new instruments to try but I prefer to sing although I can play tambourines and wind chimes things like that. I started going when I was 18 and I\u2019m just 20 now. The singing we do I like because I get to sing the sort of things I like.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cThe virus has been horrible and has stopped the Canfod y G\u00e2n sessions. As a family we are just following the guidelines and hoping for the best, that\u2019s all you can do.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m looking forward to going back and meeting everyone again.\u201d<\/p>\n According to project manager Mared Gwyn-Jones, the aim is to enable all members of the group to come together with professional music tutors and volunteers to create music as equals.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cSpirit of 2012 awards grants for inclusive arts, sports and volunteering activities in communities that bring people together to improve their wellbeing which is exactly what Canfod y G\u0203n does.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to our fortnightly groups at all three locations and we have to accept that is likely to continue being the case for a considerable time.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, we have worked together to develop alternative means of working. Not being able to meet up and work together face to face was a massive blow to many of our members as well as the freelance music tutors who have been working on the project.<\/p>\n \u201cSince having to suspend group meetings we have been keeping in touch with many of our members through regular phone calls and video recordings of favourite songs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been very important in keeping spirits up and to keep the project going.\u00a0 \u201cOur Caernarfon group has taken this remote meeting a step further with their own project.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea started when we received two clips of group member Ll\u0177r Griffith, from Llanllyfni,\u00a0 playing the national anthem on keyboards and then our group’s signature song which has been composed, both music and lyrics, by members working together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin Humphreys was inspired to start something akin to a musical snowball. Using Ll\u0177r\u2019s clips, along with other tutors, members and volunteers, he created a track of this particular song.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has created an absolutely fantastic and inspiring track in his own recording studio from the clips group members sent him and Gwydion Davies has created a fantastic video to go along with the track.<\/p>\n \u201cWe now plan to replicate this project with our other groups and the process is now already underway with our Harlech and Pwllheli groups.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin, from Pwllheli, worked as a session musician for many years and retrained to become a psychiatric nurse.<\/p>\n He said: \u201c<\/em>Members recorded snippets on their phones and I\u2019ve put those individual pieces together into one recording. Considering members had to record themselves on mobile phones or tablets they have done really well.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>I\u2019m really pleased with what we have achieved together and hopefully the other two groups can now do something similar. I\u2019m really looking forward to working with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow tutor Gwenan Gibbard, from Pwllheli, who\u2019s an acclaimed harpist, says being involved with the scheme has proved to be an \u201cabsolute joy\u201d.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cThe whole Canfod y G\u00e2n experience has been a privilege. It\u2019s amazing as there is real talent out there and the best thing is everyone makes new friends. \u201cBefore Christmas we also had a couple of public performances which were really special. We performed music as a group and had some individual performances too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the video there is an eclectic mix of instruments. Several group members played guitars, there\u2019s a cellist, a flautist, drummers and a glockenspiel and many different voices including Matthew Murray who does his own raps.\u201d<\/p>\n CGWM director Meinir Llwyd Roberts said: \u201cIt has been wonderful to see Canfod y G\u00e2n develop during the 18months since we received the support from Spirit of 2012 and we\u2019re delighted that we have been able to maintain contact with our members and ensure that music continues to be part of their lives during lockdown.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that every person has a song to sing and that every person deserves the opportunity to discover and share their song.”<\/p>\n Link to video : https:\/\/youtu.be\/nEa1Novc0Po<\/a><\/p>\n Canfod y G\u00e2n website: www.canfodygan.cymru<\/a><\/p>\n Project organised by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias\u00a0 www.cgwm.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n