Cymreig Sounds of Music was a multilingual production providing multiple opportunities for high quality arts experiences. The project was an adaptation of the Sound of Music, re-told from a Welsh perspective. It developed out of an extensive research period with secondary pupils from Ysgol Hen Felin. This was followed by a series of intensive auditions, workshops and rehearsals.
It effortlessly included participants and the wider school & college communities through the creation of multimedia clips, musical theatre performances and props/set design. College students from Coleg Y Cymoedd also had opportunities to choreograph dances & direct individual scenes.
Participants included a cast of mainstream college students with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), as well as pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It also incorporated pupils who use Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC), pupils who use British Sign Language (BSL), pupils with visual impairments (Braille users) & pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). As a result, the project portrayed an accurate representation of a ‘typical’ special school and of our culturally diverse society.
The performance of Cymreig Sounds of Music took place the week beginning 22nd May 2017 and was successful. Well done to all involved. We would also like to thank our funders; the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and the Big Lottery Fund.
