For many years, Trac Cymru’s music school for teenagers, Gwerin Gwallgo (‘Crazy Folk’), has boosted the personal development of hundreds of young people by providing an exciting educational and social space to explore their creativity and culture together.
These residential courses have played a crucial role in building the confidence of young people, as well as allowing invaluable space and time to make new friends and establish networks of peers with the same interests from all over Wales. As one parent enthusiastically told us, “It’s the one place where she really feels she belongs… in a way that makes her really excited and inspired.”
Gwerin Gwallgo fosters a deep connection for young people to their nation’s culture and heritage in an inspiring environment filled with traditional music, song and dance, led by some of the brightest tutors in the Welsh folk scene. Mixing with other young musicians and dancers, learning new techniques, building confidence, and exploring self-expression are all part of the special benefits gained from the courses.
Watch our promotional video of our 2020 Gwerin Gwallgo course here 👇
Gwerin Gwallgo 2020 – Folk course for young people
The renowned Welsh clogdancer and tutor at Gwerin Gwallgo, Huw Williams, has highlighted the positive impact he has witnessed on the programme: “No amount of written comment can truly describe what learning music and dance can do for a young person’s confidence… The friendships made on these courses, as well as the incredible evening sessions, is what is going to make the Welsh folk scene flourish.”
Many participants attend year after year, and many join the team as volunteers and assistants when they have grown up – helping to provide role models that inspire newcomers. The courses provided by Trac Cymru have laid the foundations to nurture the country’s next generation of top folk artists, including the talented young performers who have grown up through Gwerin Gwallgo to join the National Youth Folk Ensemble of Wales.
Everyone who attends the courses gets a chance to shine, including the very youngest musicians – with opportunities to play in the Gwerin Gwallgo Big Band, supporting professional bands in special concerts or even surprising audiences with flashmob performances in public spaces, such as a memorable takeover of the Galeri arts centre in Caernarfon.
Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic brought our courses to a standstill, but Trac Cymru is planning to relaunch these vital activities for young people very soon. You can help us to fund our educational programmes by making a donation today. Please support us and share these stories with your friends and colleagues, and join us in posting your own happy memories about Welsh folk music on social media #TRAC21.
