Music Foundation

THE AIMS OF THe MUSIC FOUNDATION

 

To make the Abbey church a venue for performances by young people.

​

To provide financial resources, through the Trust Fund, to enable young musicians to develop the vocal and instrumental talents.

​

To help promote the professional development of young performers.

​

To ensure the Abbey’s organ continues to be kept in sound condition to meet the needs of the worship of God and is a suitable instrument for recital and concert purposes.

​

To offer financial help and performance opportunities to young musicians of outstanding ability and to promote concerts of high quality in the splendid setting of the Abbey.

​

Since its inception the aims of the above organisation have resulted in the complete restoration of the Abbey’s organ and the purchase of a Yamaha grand piano. Recitals have been given by Huw Tregellis Williams, Wayne Marshall, Carlo Curley, Peter King (who gave the opening recital in June 1994 after the restoration of the organ had been completed), Rhodri Clarke, Gary Preston and Faye Gossedge.

​

Groups of young musicians have included the Cynon Valley String Orchestra, The Caerphilly Schools’ Orchestra, The Rhymney Valley Schools’ Brass Band, The Porthcawl Comprehensive School Wind Band, The Treorchy Comprehensive School Brass Band, The Penclawdd Brass Band, The Wind Group of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and numerous young vocalists and instrumentalists who performed as soloists.

​

Choirs have included Cor Glandulais Pontardulais, The Richard Williams Singers, Cor Plant Tonyrefail, Cantemus, The Past Ogmore Choir, The Tonyrefail School Choir, Lewis’ Girls Choir and the Viva to Diva Vocal Quartet. The Foundation also sponsored the Welsh composer Mervyn Burtch to compose a Te Deum.

​

The Foundation’s first concert was given on St David’s Day 1992.