Gwerin Iau
Gwerin Iau (“Young Folk”) is a bilingual course for 8-12 year olds that features singing, clogging and instruments with experienced and popular tutors. It’s held in the glorious setting of the Urdd centre at Glan-llyn near Bala in north Wales. The course is usually held on a weekend in November or December. The course in 2019 was held from the 29th of November- 1st of December.
Course tutors specialise in presenting music and folk dance to children of all ages. Children can choose to focus on playing an instrument, singing or step dancing (clogging). For the instrumental option the children must be able to play their instrument as the course involves learning tunes by ear so is not suitable for complete beginners.
As part of the course there are opportunities to take part in Glan-llyn’s exciting outdoor activities, from canoeing, high ropes, and climbing, to ten pin bowling and swimming.
Have a look at more pictures from Gwerin Iau 2018 here
The cost of the course includes accommodation, food and all lessons and activities.
Feedback from course participants
“The best part for me was the mixture of folk and Glan-llyn. I enjoyed the Noson Lawen and singing around the fire”
“You get a chance to make new friends”
“You get a chance to speak Welsh outside of school”
“It’s fun and sociable”
The 2019 course tutors were…
Sioned Webb
Sioned is a versatile musican; she plays a number of instruments and has been a member of numerous bands performing worldwide. She sings in a Plygain trio and is an experienced teacher. She also composes and has a number of folk tune arrangements for various media.
Tudur Phillips
Tudur is a champion Welsh clogs dancer and has held dance workshops all around Wales. His workshops are lively and energetic. There will be some clogs available to borrow during the workshops if you do not have your own
Branwen Haf Williams
Branwen Haf Williams has been part of the folk world in various ways for a decade. She is a member of the folk Americana band Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog and her own folk band, Siddi, alongside her brother Osian. She also conducts Eryrod Meirion
