Cân Y Cymoedd / When Valleys Sing is a Trac Cymru project bringing people together through folk music, storytelling and shared heritage in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot.
No music experience is needed. The project invites young people, communities and experienced musicians to reconnect with each other, their local history and the places they call home. In creative workshops led by professional artists, participants share stories, memories and ideas, then help shape them into brand new folk songs rooted in their own communities.
Using traditional instruments and techniques to express contemporary voices and experiences, Cân Y Cymoedd shows how folk music can still bring people together and give communities a stronger sense of connection and belonging.
All the songs created through the project were recorded by Sylvia and Jonathan at ScreenTales. Click below to listen to the Cân Y Cymoedd SoundCloud playlist with many more tracks on the way!
If you would like us to visit your local community, group or school, click the button below to contact us!
Cân y Cymoedd in Port Talbot
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 worked with members of Llantrisant 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
