Free Community Music Workshops - presented by Creu Cyffro

Workshops are suitable for anyone with an interest in music and creative writing, creativity, the arts, or the creative industries, either as a future career or a hobby. 

Book your place on as many of the sessions below as you’d like to try and we can’t wait to meet you!

To book your space on workshops email us at wales-partnerships@open.ac.uk or phone Stacey on 029 21 674585. You can turn up on the day without booking if capacity allows.

Music: Music in context.
Monday 23 May, 1.30pm - 3.30pm & Tuesday 24 May, 10am - 12pm

Explore how pieces of music are shaped by the times, places and circumstances in which they are created. How does what’s happening in the world at that time influence a musician’s work? Come along to find out. 

Music: Opera: not your cup of tea?
Tuesday 24 May, 1.30pm - 3.30pm & Wednesday 25 May, 10am - 12pm

Everyone can enjoy opera and this workshop will demonstrate just that! We will begin by listening to a piece from an opera. Together, we will try to identify the different elements/techniques used and link them to the effects they create on the listener. How does this piece of music make you feel? Why do you think this is the case? 

Music: What is ‘the blues’ and where does it come from?
Wednesday 25 May, 1.30pm -3.30pm & Thursday 26 May, 10am - 12pm

What is a 12-bar blues chord progression? What are blue notes? What kinds of themes are usually sung and why? This workshop will discuss different blues songs to find out more about this music tradition and its developments.

Music: How composers grow an oak from an acorn: a practical workshop 
Wednesday 22 June, 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Thursday 23 June, 10am - 12pm
Friday 24 June, 10am - 12pm
Saturday 25 June, 10am - 12pm and 1.30pm - 3.30pm

In these workshops we will come up with a simple musical idea, and then explore ways we can develop this material into a full piece of music. As each workshop will start with a different musical ‘seed’, we’ll come up with different music and different discussions each time, so you can join in as few or as many sessions as you like.

We will also look at how musical ideas are transformed by different instruments, the ways they are played, and the ways they produce sound. Digital technology, along with any instruments brought by participants, will be used to bring the musical ideas developed through the workshop to life. 

Musical experience and instruments are not required, but if you do play an instrument, please bring it along!