Youth orchestra winds up season on high note

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 19, 2011

Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Orchestra will end their season of concerts for 2010 -2011 on a high note at Llandaff Cathedral this week.

The young musicians will perform Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony on Thursday July 21 (7.30pm), featuring the new Nicholson organ which has been recently installed at the cathedral.

The organ will be played by the notable Welsh organist, Huw Tregelles Williams, former Head of Music at the BBC, who has given organ recitals at venues all over the world during his illustrious career.

The programme will also include Verdi’s “Force of Destiny” overture, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Mussorgsky’s “Night on a Bare Mountain”. Tickets for the performance are available at the door, costing £10 and £6 for concessions.

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “This is a terrific way for the youth orchestra to bring the year to a close in an inspiring venue and with such a distinguished performer in their midst. The youth orchestra concerts are always of an extremely high standard and I’m sure this week’s performance will be as enjoyable as usual.”

Dreams come true at the Cardiff big weekend

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 18, 2011

In the words of the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend Saturday headliner, Gabrielle, dreams can come true, especially for Big Gig Winner Ffred Jones.

The Big Gig competition gave local unsigned acts the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend and play in front of thousands in the heart of the capital.

Singer songwriter FFred Jones from Newport was crowned the Big Gig Winner on Thursday, July 14 at The Globe music venue following a three day battle of the bands.

Ffred has already appeared on BBC Introducing and 6 Music. Using unusual instrumentation, his great voice and beautiful songs have a haunting quality reminiscent of a 21st Century Nick Drake. On his win last night, Ffred, said: “So stoked, it’s outrageous. I was so nervous before going on, and I’m never nervous. I didn’t think I had a chance, I mean to get through the first round was unreal, but to win? It’s mind blowing.”

The Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend takes place on the 5 to the 7 of August and features three nights of free live music. On Friday in conjunction with the SWN festival the cream of the Welsh crop will perform with Welsh rockers Funeral for a Friend taking to the stage as headliners.

Saturday’s festivities start with the annual Cardiff Mas Carnival and end with multi platinum selling Gabrielle singing new and classic hits.

On Sunday Ffred will kick-start the night and perform in front of thousands. Sunday’s headliners are The Feeling who will bring their feel good music to the Civic Centre.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Congratulations to Ffred  for winning the Big Gig, I am delighted the inaugural Big Gig competition has captured the attention of so many great new bands and their fans. I hope the performance at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend will help him onto the road to success and hopefully he will come back and perform as headliner for the Big Weekend.

“I am also pleased to see Funeral for a Friend and Gabrielle join the already impressive Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend line up. It’s fantastic to see home-grown talent and Brit award winners taking centre stage at one of Wales’ favourite free live music events.”

The confirmed acts for this year’s Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend are:
Friday August 5
Death Before Sunrise
OK
Attack Attack!
Funeral For a Friend

Saturday August 6

Zong Zing
Dom Duff
Jazz Jamaica with Special Guest Myrna Hague
Hayley Scarlett
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Vintage Trouble
Gabrielle

Sunday 7th August
Ffred Jones
Edei
King Charles
Friends Electric
Dodgy
Nerina Pallot
The Feeling