We’re delighted to be able to offer these special workshops, an opportunity for young people (Yrs.10-13) to enjoy creating original music and songs under the guidance of two incredibly talented musicians, Mari Mathias and Steffan Rhys Williams.
You don’t need to be able to write music, read dots, specialise in an instrument or star in the school choir to attend the workshops, just enjoy and gain confidence in creating and performing. If you play an instrument and are looking for a band or want to create without the pressure of school, this is for you.
Sessions with musicians and composers Mari Mathias and Steffan Rhys Williams will look at the aspects of performing in a live band as well as learning from those who compose, produce and mix sound. The tips will range from collaborative composition to what to actually check in a ‘sound check’!
There is space for 10 people only as part of the course so register today.
You will need to be available for each of these days –
Dates of workshops with Steffan Rhys Williams and Mari Mathias
Monday, July 28 10:00-15:00
Tuesday, July 29 10:00-15:00
Monday, Aug 11 10:00-15:00
Tuesday, August 12 10:00-15:00
We are planning to film a music video led by Non Lewis and Heti Hywel and hold an evening to celebrate and share at CWRW, Carmarthen as well as as part of Band Byw!
Who : Year 10 -13 pupils. (You don’t need to be in a band already)
Closing Date : 4.7.25
Successful reporting date : 11.7.25
Please complete the registration form here to apply for a place:
Application form: https://forms.gle/9H8EqostJD6pem1i6
The workshops will be in the Welsh Language with learners and new speakers very welcome.
Who is Mari Mathias?
Mari Mathias is a 24-year-old female artist from Wales, creating contemporary folk, driven by nature, landscape and tradition. She gives her own contemporary interpretation of traditional folk tunes from west Wales and Pembrokeshire. She brings lively onstage energy and beautiful tones of elegant melodic vocals and released her debut album ‘Annwn’ in March 2022.
The last two years have been very exciting for Mari and her band, having performed on many famous stages such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival, Green Man Festival, Between the Woods Festival and many more. She won an Award for ‘Best Traditional Song’ from her debut album ‘Annwn’ at the BBC Folk Awards in 2023.
As well as her performance work, Mari has held songwriting workshops, teaching Welsh folk songs in collaboration with TRAC CYMRU, HIJINX Theatre, CULTVR and Tafwyl – mentoring musicians and bands.
Who is Steffan Rhys Williams?
For the past 25 years, Steffan has been working in the field of composition and music production for television and media. His various credits include working as musical director on BBC1’s ‘Songs of Praise’, composing music for Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’.
Steffan has won Cân i Gymru having composed and performed his own original song as well as producing the songs of a host of award winners and has composed hours of music, sound and very memorable songs for S4C’s daily ‘Cyw’ service for younger viewers, including the BAFTA award-winning programme ‘Rapsgaliwn’.
He’s performed in countless live bands over the years, including Elin Fflur and Eden, creating the backing tracks and playing numerous instruments.
With his recording studio in Yr Egin he has led on numerous music workshops for children and young people and has developed music for a host of projects in collaboration with Yr Egin team including Cabarela, Dosbarth Miss Prydderch and Shwmae Dolig.
