Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services - Paula Gardiner Commission
Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services consists of three multi-functional arts venues - The Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, The Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare and the Parc & Dare Theatre Treorci - and an award winning Arts Development Service. The Theatre's Partnership was the recipient of a three year Arts Council of Wales Arts "Outside Cardiff" award last year - an investment of £320,000 in our programming, marketing and production aspirations. Music is a crucial genre for both our presented programmes of professional work (as evidenced in the "Where Good Music Matters" brand) and our world famous exponents of brass band, choral, music theatre and rock and pop.
The Award from the PRSF enabled us to work with the council's Music Service to commission local composer Paula Gardiner (who is Head of Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama) to create a jazz suite that celebrates William Edwards amazing engineering feat of 250 years ago - his single span bridge crossing the River Taf at Pontypridd. Paula says..."Is there a musical form that reflects the engineering of The Bridge itself? This project enables me to share my passion and knowledge of my specialist field - jazz - in my local community." Paula' s composition brought together a professional ensemble that worked alongside music students from four of our comprehensive schools and the County Youth Chorus. The work premiered at The Muni Arts Centre on the 9th & 10th of November and the CD is now available.
Music type: Jazz
Funding Scheme: New Works
Region: South Wales
Contact:
Geoff Cripps
Geoff.J.Cripps@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk