As part of our ongoing coverage of Beyond The Marches / Dros y Ffin which is now underway, as evidenced by the photos of them all hard at work, we have the second guest post from award winning song writer, story teller and the tallest man in Derbyshire David Gibb which you can read below.
Day Two: David Gibb
It’s only day two, but it feels like we’ve already packed in a weeks worth of music, research and media interviews.
Perhaps the most exciting (and important) thing so far is the way the music is coming together. Despite the fact that most of us have never played together before, there seems to be a natural ease developing amongst the group both in terms of music and friendship. Already we have two pieces, which are almost completed and I have to confess to the odd shiver of excitement as the harmonies and tunes slowly fall into place.
St Fagans coffee machine
After a morning digging through the collection, and a quick session and interview for ITV Wales, we assembled for a lecture from Wales’ answer to Cecil Sharp, Roy Saer. To say the man has had a fascinating life would be something of an understatement, and he gave us a clear and deeply insightful view of how Welsh music has been shaped by the nation’s history and culture. We went away thoroughly inspired, and ready for the creative challenges that the next day would offer.
A two hour journey to Aberaeron followed, and slap up fish and chip supper was gratefully devoured. Tomorrow we’re off to Aberystwyth (I still need to ask why all these places start with Aber) where we’ll be delving through the national archives of Wales. Spirits are high, with the exception of the student contingency trying to cope with the ‘early mornings’.
Over and out!
David Gibb
The concerts
Saturday 2nd May 2015 – Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 8pmhttp://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/music/beyond-marches
Sunday 3rd May 2015 – Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre, 7.30pmhttp://www.wmc.org.uk/BeyondtheMarches
Monday 4th May 2015 – London, Cecil Sharp House, 7.30pmhttp://www.cecilsharphouse.org/component/content/article/21-shared/shared-events/2282-
http://www.trac-cymru.org/en/projects/beyond-the-marches
The project is a joint commission by trac Cymru and the English Folk Dance and Song Society. It is supported by the PRS for Music Foundation Beyond Borders programme, a co-commissioning and touring programme run in partnership with Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
Read all our entries Beyond The Marches / Dros y Ffin