A charity which brings live music into the heart of communtities celebrates its 20th anniversary with a concert in Aberdare this month.
Live Music Now! was founded by Yehudi Menuhin in 1977 to take live music to those with limited access to conventional music-making. The initiative has also helped develop the careers of young, talented musicians.
Live Music Now! Cymru/Wales’s 20th anniversary concert entitled ‘Mapping Wales’ is at The Coliseum in Aberdare on Friday, January 21, 2011. The performance will feature a mix of international and local talent, some of whom have performed at the Songs and Scones lunchtime concerts, also held at The Coliseum.
Returning to home turf is Aberdare-born Joel Garthwaite, who will be performing as part of the Lunar Saxophone Quartet alongside Hannah Riches, Lauren Hamer and Lewis Evans.
Mexican classical guitarist Morgan Szymanski will also perform, as well as baritone Craig Yates, a member of Only Men Aloud; pianist Dan Perkin, mezzo soprano Siân Cameron and the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Youth Chorus.
In 1990, the Welsh branch of the charity was established under the directorship of harpist Gillian Green. Live Music Now! has since developed a programme of outreach concerts being performed in venues such as schools and special schools, homes and centres for elderly people and hospitals.
The concert at The Coliseum will be followed by shows in Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Caernarfon. Tickets for the opening concert are available from Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services booking line 08000 147 111 or please book online at www.rct-arts.co.uk
