Music Making a Difference: Back to Ty Gwyn School!

In the winter of 2023/24 we went to several schools across Cardiff as part of the ‘Little Gigs’ project (you can read all about it here). One of the schools, Ty Gwyn, in Ely, Cardiff, was a particularly special experience, so we were really excited to work alongside the lovely staff at Ty Gwyn and our good friend Dan at Cardiff Council to apply for funding to visit the school once again! Happily the bid was accepted so on Monday, we provided two sessions of sensory and participatory musical entertainment to the learners there.

Here’s what our Musical Director Rob Smith had to say about the experience!

Our first encounter with the students at Ty Gwyn School was as part of a bigger project called little gigs where we did performances in schools. The session at Ty Gwyn was moving and rewarding for the band - the students really responded to our music and performing style. Their unfiltered responses, both positive and fearful, made us want to make a return visit to see how we could deepen the musical connection.

Money from the Arts Council Wales’ Have a Go fund, made this possible and we visited again on Monday 13th and, in addition to playing a few tunes from our repertoire we were able to interact more closely and for longer with the students on an individual basis allowing them to explore the instruments by touch, vibration and, where safe, by playing the instruments and hearing themselves.

It’s safe to say that we are all really looking forward to our next visit later in May!

Musical Director Rob Smith playing his soprano during the interactive session

Musical Director Mark Drummer playing his cymbal with learners during the interactive session