Community Wind Band and Music from the Archives
It’s been heart-warming to see the Rydal Penrhos Community Wind Band going from strength to strength since its inception. The initial integration period has been hugely successful relating to the group, which was formed soon after Welsh Government restrictions were eased regarding COVID-19.
The band is open to current pupils, alumni, parents, staff and local musicians from across Colwyn Bay and the wider region. A true example of school and community spirit that everyone at Rydal Penrhos is enormously proud of.
Players of all brass, woodwind and percussion instruments are welcome to attend rehearsal sessions which are held on Wednesday evenings from 7-8.30pm in the Rick Maple Drama Studio on Combermere Road, Colwyn Bay.
There is no charge and instruments are available to borrow if required by anyone wishing to attend.
The Community Wind Band is led by musician, ex-Rydal Penrhos parent and current school Governor, Clive Wolfendale.
Anyone wishing to register their interest in the Rydal Penrhos Community Wind Band, or for more information, please email cw@rydalpenrhos.com.
In our last newsletter we promised to share music from the school’s archives over the coming editions.
To tie in with our Jubilee theme, we have decided to include two versions of Her Majesty’s favourite hymn, ‘Praise, my soul, the King of heaven’, which featured at the Royal Wedding in 1947.
The first version is from ‘Sounds of Penrhos’, a record produced to commemorate the Penrhos College Centenary, which saw Prince Charles make a visit to the school.
The record features a mixture of choir, whole school and junior school performances.
A message on the reverse side of the record captures the essential role of music in school that continues to this day: “I can think of no better way for Penrhos to celebrate its hundredth birthday, however, than to savour the delights of what over the years has been one of its strongest traditions: good music”.
The beautiful blue record sleeve of 'Sounds of Penrhos'
The back of the record sleeve, including the key music personnel of the time
The second version is a recently released massed choir performance organised by NMCGB (National Methodist Choir of Great Britain), which saw Rydal Penrhos’ Community Choir and Prep Choir join over 1,750 performers including other schools, churches, choirs, Girls’ Brigades and individuals.
The result is not only a beautiful piece of music but a powerful display of unity and togetherness. As stated on their website, “NMCGB is a living demonstration that the Methodist Church wasn’t just born in song, but is living and thriving in song now, too”.
