A book to encompass Wales’ music

A project that will lead to the publication of an authoritative reference book on Welsh Music (Cydymaith i Gerddoriaeth Cymru) is being launched today (1 August) on Bangor University’s stand at the national Eisteddfod. When published, the volumewill include references to all types of Welsh music.

The project is being led by Bangor University’s School of Music, with support from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (the national institution for the development of Welsh medium education and scholarship at universities in Wales).

 As the project coordinator, Dr Pwyll ap Siôn explains:

“The intention is to cover all musical styles from the early to the contemporary: from the traditional to the modern. It will include detailed entries on every style, from folk singing to pop singing. It will pay attention to singers, musicians, opera soloists and orchestras and to the centres, societies and musical festivals that have played a central role in the development of Welsh music. The reference workt will also look at new media, such as soundtracks for the screen and cinema, and so forth. Indeed, it will encompass all the genres of music that is or has been enjoyed by Welsh ears.”

Dr ap Siôn will be working with academics, musicologists, historians, composers and musicians at several Welsh universities in order to complete the Cydymaith- or companion- which should see publication in 2013-14.

Wyn Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Welsh Medium and Civic Engagement said:

“This is an innovative publication that will combine specialisms at various higher education institutions in Wales. It is a clear signal of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s commitment to the field, and at the same time reflects the wide range of research currently being conducted in Welsh Music “.

Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol said:

“It’s vital that we build a body of academic work in the Welsh language so that students and researchers have appropriate resources for their daily research and study. As a College, we look forward to working with Pwyll ap Siôn and the team in relation to this important project and increasing the body of published work in Welsh.”

To find out more about this innovative and exciting project, come to the launch at Bangor University’s stand on Monday 1, August at 11.00.

Publication date: 29 July 2011