City Times Issue 81

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National Youth Orchestra of Wales to Perform at Cathedral

This summer the National Youth Orchestra of Wales comes to St Asaph. On Saturday the 9th August, 114 of Wales' most talented young musicians, including nineteen representing North Wales, present their final concert of their summer tour at St Asaph Cathedral.
Every year the NYOW set up camp at the University of Wales Lampeter for an intensive residential course where they are tutored by some of the finest professional musicians in the UK. The initial rehearsal period concentrates on learning and developing key orchestral skills as much as learning the concert repertoire, whilst the residential nature of the course gives the students the opportunity to meet and socialise with peers from all areas of Wales, enjoy a common interest, and often create lifelong bonds of friendship.
The enthusiasm of the young musicians is infectious and in Owain Arwel Hughes the NYOW have a conductor who is able to harness this energy and transfer it into memorable performances on the concert platform.
Although the orchestra has a history of touring, including visits to the European Youth Music Festival in Berlin and last year's visit to La Mortella in Ischia, it is spending it's summer at home this year, concentrating efforts on producing a CD and performing concerts in St Davids Cathedral, St David's Hall, and Town Hall Birmingham before ending their tour in St Asaph. This year's repertoire starts fittingly with Mathias' vibrant Celtic Dances, before each section of the orchestra gets their chance to shine in Britten's ever popular Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, the concert ends with Vaughan Williams' evocative 'London Symphony'.
With the combination of fantastic music and the young talent on display promising a memorable evening's entertainment - this concert is one not to miss. The concert will start at 7pm and tickets priced at £10 and £6 concessions are available in advance by ringing the BBC National Orchestra of Wales' Audience Line on 08700 131812.
For more information regarding this concert or the National Youth Orchestra of Wales in general, please contact Matthew Jones on 029 2026 5047.
Photo: NYOW Members, rehearsing at Lady William Walton's estate, La Mortella in Ischia '07

Aerosol Paint Sales Warning

A third of shops illegally sold aerosol paint to under 16's during a recent test purchasing operation by Denbighshire Trading Standards. Since the end of March 2004, the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 has made it an offence to sell spray paint to anyone under 16 years of age. Such illegal sales can lead to prosecution with the potential of the £2500 fine.
During the test purchase many retailers failed to ask for proof of age although some shops did have 'till prompts' to remind staff. All retailers who were visited, including those who refused to sell goods to the 'mystery child' have been contacted and made aware of the result.
The sale of paint aerosols to children contributes to the spread of graffiti. It is believed that some 60% of graffiti is committed by children who are under 16 years old. Research has shown that graffiti, litter and general degradation of a neighbourhood disproportionately affects people's sense of safety and security.
Further test purchase exercises are planned and robust enforcement action awaits those who inappropriately sell any age restricted products.