[cymraeg.]
The first yscolan residential weekend retreat was a success on many levels. The weekend was oversubscribed and so
another weekend is organized for late spring 2008 as well as another winter retreat in November 2008. The spring dates are Friday, April 25th to
Sunday, April 27th. Details with images available as pdf's or in plain text below.
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Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th. 2008
An opportunity to play, learn and contemplate music at a springtime
weekend retreat for ten adult (18+) musicians of mixed technical
ability. All in the splendid isolation of the magical rural setting of the Preseli hills.
The yscolan weekend's activity will be flexible and will respond to the input of its participants.
In this way the content brought by each musician will shape the weekend's form. But the starting point will be a
common desire to arrive at a deeper understanding of our own, personal musical expression. We will not be working
specifically towards playing with others or as an ensemble, but that may or may not be an outcome of the weekend.
The weekend will be underpinned with inspirational input from piper and flute player Ceri Rhys Matthews.
Background.
This is the second residential weekend to be organised by Ceri which takes as its direct inspiration the annual summer school organised by the English Acoustic collective in Ruskin Mill, led by Chris Wood, on which Ceri was invited to teach in the summer of 2007. The yscolan weekend will be focused on issues that grew out of that experience for him but which may not be the primary concern of the EAC summer school at the moment.
Though independent of each other, and perhaps different in nature, the EAC
summer school and the yscolan weekend may be seen as complimentary and participants at one may benefit from attending the other.
It is intended to repeat the yscolan weekend again in November 2008.
For further details on any of the topics below, please write to ceri@yscolan.info or call 01559 384962
The focus of the weekend.
Musicians of different stylistic and cultural backgrounds will be welcome
to explore an aspect of music making that is largely neglected in both the
structured music education system and also in the categorised way in which music is marketed.
The yscolan weekend will focus on the relationship that exists between the creative musician working
in cultural isolation today on the one hand, and on the other, the common, inherited, musical culture
bequeathed by the past's anonymous musicians.
Folk, or traditional music.
The type of music that is generally referred to as folk or
traditional music is the sonic backdrop to the music we all make today
whether we call ourselves jazz, traditional, folk or classical musicians.
It is in fact a synthesis of all the historically categorisable forms that have found
their way, intact or fragmented, to our collective musical memory. It is the music
that was gathered, filtered and nurtured by self-taught musicians over centuries.
How we deal with this inheritance in a fractured society is of the utmost importance
to musicians wishing to make music with their own voice. Being set in west Wales the
yscolan weekend will inevitably use this particular inheritance as a musical starting
point both as source material and as a comparative tool for participants from outside
the area. But of course, participants will bring with them their own musical story.
Technical Ability.
The technical aspect of music making will not be the main
focus of the yscolan weekend but a reasonable fundamental
grasp of ones instrument is a minimum requirement. Technical
virtuosity is welcomed but not as an end in itself. The ability
to read music is not necessary but the ability to pick up a tune by
ear or to remember an arrangement is important. The yscolan weekend is
designed to accommodate those who consider themselves students as well as
those who have been expressing themselves musically over a number of years.
The yscolan weekend is for musicians who play instruments that do not need electricity
and a priority is given to melody over chordal or accompanying instruments. There is no piano at the centre.
Daily structure.
Registration will be at 10.30 on Friday morning.
We must vacate Canolfan yr Urdd by 9.am Monday morning.
Each day will begin after breakfast at around 10.30.
Morning session
Lunch will be made and eaten around the middle of the day.
Afternoon session
Supper will be made and eaten at around 7.00
Evening session
The duration of the evening session will be flexible and relaxed
but will take into account the fact that the dormitories are directly underneath the main working room.
Within easy reach of the centre is Pentre Ifan burial chamber, Castell Henllys
Iron Age hillfort, the coastal footpath, Ty Canol reserve, the Preseli hills and the Gwaun valley
Location.
Canolfan Pentre Ifan is a residential centre established by the Urdd, a charitable youth organization.
However, the yscolan weekend is independent of the Urdd. Re-opened in 1992 as an education centre the
building itself is a 600-year-old gatehouse surrounded by natural woodland and farmland, ensuring a peaceful and homely atmosphere.
Pentre Ifan is located some 2 miles from Newport (Trefdraeth), between Fishguard (Abergwaun) and Cardigan (Aberteifi)
in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The area is predominantly Welsh speaking, typically rural and is noted for
its magnificent views, historical remains and unique and abundant wildlife.
Accommodation.
Simple accommodation is offered at Pentre Ifan in the form of single sex dormitories
located downstairs from the main work room (pictured above), with shower and washing facilities.
Alternatively, there is a camping option in the grounds of Canolfan Pentre Ifan with use of the shower
and washing facilities. Participants can upgrade if they wish at their own expense, to a variety of
nearby excellent hotels and guesthouses situated within a five-minute drive.
Food.
We will cook and eat communally in the kitchen situated next door to the
main working room. This will enable us to cater for any dietary requirements
easily and together. Locally produced organic vegetables and staples will be supplied
free but other food and drink costs are not included in the course fee.
Tariff.
The cost of the yscolan weekend is £160 per person which includes fees, bunkhouse accommodation or
camping at Pentre Ifan with use of shower and washroom facilities. It also includes lunch and evening
meal on the Friday and basic food ingredients including rice, pasta and locally produced organic
vegetables for the remainder of the weekend. It is not intended to be an ascetic experience however,
and we will pool together to buy other foodstuffs such as meat, (there are excellent local organic butchers)
fish, alcohol, tea, coffee, bread, cheese, milk and anything else we fancy, on Saturday morning.
Please bring with you any luxuries you can't live without.
Clean sheets and pillows are provided by Canolfan Pentre Ifan, but please bring your own blankets,
quilts, duvets, sleeping bags, towels, soap etc.
If you want to upgrade to local B&B or counyscolan pub accommodation please
let us know and we will help you find somewhere suitable. Typical prices are
Single from £50.00 at the Trewern arms
Double from £37.50 per person at the Trewern arms
Single from £35.00 at the Globe B&B
Double or twin £25 per person at the Globe B&B
Places are limited strictly to ten. Please print and fill in the application form
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click here. pdf)
describing why you think the weekend would benefit you. All application forms will be read and successful
and non-successful applicants notified by March 17th. A non-returnable deposit of £60 will then be due from
those attending the yscolan weekend no later than March 31st. The balance is due by April 11th.
Unless the balance is received by this date the place may be offered to another applicant.
Returning musicians are welcome to re-apply and a balance of compatible participants will be aimed
for on each separate weekend.
Extra...
Canolfan Pentre Ifan must be vacated by 9 a.m Monday morning.
Ceri will be going for a gentle walk along the Pembrokeshire coast path later
in the morning and anyone who is able or wishes to stay can join him. The drive to
Ty Ddewi (St David's) is about forty minutes maximum west of Pentre Ifan. We'll probably walk
from Porthclais to Llanstinian along the coast path taking in the full breadth of St Brides Bay,
and with distant views of the island of Gwales (with Mabinogi connections) and closer views of Ramsey
Island before catching the little bus back to the car park at Porthclais.
