Cân Y Cymoedd/When Valleys Sing is a project and sub-brand of Trac Cymru, currently running in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot. It brings together young folk, communities and seasoned musicians in a series of creative song-writing workshops, designed to connect people with their local history and heritage and to foster new musical creations. Workshops are led by professional artists, who help their group create their own new folk song using the history and shared experiences of their county. The facilitator then transforms their stories and words into an original, collaborative composition, using traditional instruments and techniques to convey contemporary messages.

All the wonderful songs created on this project were recorded by Sylvia and Jonathan at ScreenTales. Click the button below to listen to them on Trac Cymru’s Soundcloud Cân y Cymoedd Playlist!

Cân y Cymoedd Playlist

Illustrated icons of six Welsh landmarks: Castell Coch, a mine wheel, Sgydau Aberdulais waterfall, Rhondda Heritage Park, ruins of Abaty Nedd, and a museum building.

Ynysboeth Primary School

Our first Cân y Cymoedd workshop sessions took place in Ynysboeth Primary School in RCT, with musician Gareth Bonello (aka The Gentle Good) leading the sessions. From Mrs Piper’s class, Years 4 & 5 participated in 8 sessions making their own new folk song. The pupils successfully created a beautiful number, called “Ynysboeth, we’re the best”.

View our photo gallery below and watch this video to see their journey, including a performance to the school and a listen to the final recording.

Folk and pop/rock artists Sam Humphries and Eady Crawford worked with 15 children in year 9. The pupils created 3 groups and wrote 3 new songs in Cymraeg based on local heritage and history, over 8 sessions.

Garth Olwg Primary School

Tairgwaith Primary School

Folk singer/songwriter Gareth Bonello worked with members of Pontypridd Folk Club, at Clwb y Bont, over 8 weeks, to create a range of group and solo compositions, based on local heritage. Between 14 and 20 people took party over the course of the project, and composed 9 new songs in a variety of styles, in both Cymraeg and English.

Pontypridd Folk Club

Renowned folk singer/songwriter Huw Williams Folk singer/songwriter Gareth Bonello worked with members of Llantrisnat Folk Club, Pontyclun, over 8 weeks, to create a range of group compositions, based on local heritage. Around 15 people took party over the course of the project, and composed 5 new songs in a variety of styles.

Llantrisant Folk Club

“We are delighted to be involved in ‘When Valleys Sing’, Trac Cymru’s innovative new project which will bring to life the folk music, past and present, of our area. The Cynon Valley has a strong history of tradition and culture, and we are looking forward to using music to connect our communities across the generations.”

— Nina Finnigan, Administrator of Ynysboeth Community Centre’s Listening Project programme
“Being able to offer our community the opportunity to be involved with the Trac Cymru project is so exciting. We live in an area of not only financial deprivation but also deprivation of opportunities. People either have to travel or miss out on so many cultural activities yet the desire and talent is abundant. This community has a rich heritage of traditional Welsh music and song, and it would be wonderful to see this thrive again with a new lease of modern life with all ages and abilities working together.”

- Louise Griffiths, Engagement Officer for Awen Aman Tawe, in the Hwb y Gors Arts Centre, Neath Port Talbot