* Bilingual press release - please scroll for Welsh *

CARDIFF, 1 March, 2024: More than 12,000 primary school pupils from across Wales have  joined forces in a harmonious bilingual St David’s Day song as part of an exciting initiative by ABC of Opera which provides interactive and inclusive music workshops for schools. 

The song ‘Sing Together / Pawb i Ganu’n Un’ accompanied by Welsh National Opera Orchestra was recorded at venues across Wales and is available to be downloaded with profits donated to Save the Children.  

Over 200 schools took part from Anglesey to Aberdare, Flat Holm to Ffostrasol, Carmarthen to Caernarfon and a signed version of the song was also produced as part of this amazing project that makes the joy of music accessible, proving that ABC of Opera’s mission that ‘ANY BODY CAN’ is true for all.

Its founder, Mark Llewelyn Evans, along with award winning composer Rhys Taylor, Lorraine King and Dr Gwyneth Lewis, composed the celebratory, bilingual song and the words embrace the universal themes of hope, light and togetherness which chimes a timely message for the world.

Mark Llewelyn Evans, Founder of ABC of Opera said: “I have been running our award-winning workshops for almost nine years and our mission has always been to impower every child to believe that ANY BODY CAN – AMDANI BLANT CYMRU. This project is taking that message to the next level, uniting children from across the whole nation, from all backgrounds, to sing together, celebrating Wales and each other.’

Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children Cymru said: “We’re grateful to ABC of Opera for supporting us through donations made from this uplifting and inspiring song. Our work in Wales and around the world focuses on making sure that children’s voices are heard loud and clear and that their basic rights to access food, clean water, education, protection and equal opportunities to help them thrive in life are met.”

WNO Director of Programmes and Engagement Emma Flatley said: "We are delighted to be supporting ABC of Opera on a project that will not only reach so many young people across Wales but to help them engage in music and song and to express themselves creatively.’

The WRU will be screening the song during some of the Six Nations Games added: ‘It is a great honour to partner up with such an incredible project as this.’

ENDS

Notes for Editors

To view and listen to the song: Sing Together - Pawb i Ganu'n Un

For information on ABC of Opera: www.academyofbarmycomposers.com

For information on Save the Children's work in Wales: Save the Children Wales webpage

For press and media enquiries: media@savethechildren.org.uk

Miloedd o blant yn ‘Canu fel Un’ mewn cân Dydd Gŵyl Dewi arbennig er budd Achub y Plant

CAERDYDD, 1 Mawrth, 2024: Mae mwy na 12,000 o ddisgyblion ysgolion cynradd o bob cwr o Gymru wedi ymuno mewn dathliad persain o gân ddwyieithog i nodi Dydd Gŵyl Dewi fel rhan o fenter gyffrous a chynhwysol gan ABC of Opera sy’n cynnig profiadau rhyngweithiol a chynhwysol drwy gyfrwng gweithdai cerddorol i ysgolion.

Mae’r gân ‘Sing Together / Pawb i Ganu’n Un’ i gyfeiliant cerddorfa Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru ac a gafodd ei recordio mewn lleoliadau ar draws Cymru ar gael i’w lawrlwytho gyda’r elw yn cael ei roi i elusen Achub y Plant.

Ymunodd dros 200 o ysgolion yn y fenter o Abersoch i Aberdâr, o Ynys Môn i Ynys Echni, o Gaerfyrddin i Gaernarfon ac mae fersiwn wedi'i harwyddo o'r gân ar gael hefyd. Dyma brosiect anhygoel a fydd yn galluogi pawb i fwynhau llawenydd cerddoriaeth, gan brofi bod cenhadaeth ABC of Opera, sef MAE UNRHYW UN YN GALLU, yn wir i bawb.

Cyfansoddwyd a chynhyrchwyd y gân ddathliadol ddwyieithog gan sylfaenydd ABC of Opera, Mark Llewelyn Evans ar y cyd â'r cyfansoddwyr arobryn Rhys Taylor,  Lorraine King a Dr Gwyneth Lewis. Mae ei geiriau'n cynnwys themâu cyffredinol o obaith a goleuni a neges amserol i'r byd yn y cyfnod hwn.

Meddai Mark Llewelyn Evans, Sylfaenydd ABC of Opera: ‘Rwyf wedi bod yn cynnal ein gweithdai arobryn ers bron i naw mlynedd a’n cenhadaeth erioed fu gorfodi pob plentyn i gredu AMDANI BLANT CYMRU – ANY BODY CAN. Mae’r prosiect hwn yn mynd â’r neges honno i’r lefel nesaf, gan uno plant o bob rhan o’r wlad, o bob cefndir, i gyd-ganu, gan ddathlu Cymru a’i gilydd.’

Ychwanegodd Melanie Simmonds, Pennaeth Achub y Plant Cymru: “Rydym yn ddiolchgar i ABC of Opera am eu cefnogaeth drwy gyfrwng y gân galonogol ac ysbrydoledig hon. Mae ein gwaith yng Nghymru a ledled y byd yn canolbwyntio ar wneud yn siŵr bod lleisiau plant yn cael eu clywed yn uchel ac yn glir fel bod eu hawliau sylfaenol i gael mynediad at fwyd, dŵr glân, addysg, amddiffyniad a chyfleoedd cyfartal i’w helpu i ffynnu mewn bywyd, yn cael eu gwireddu.”

Meddai Cyfarwyddwr Rhaglenni ac Ymgysylltu WNO, Emma Flatley: 'Rydym yn falch iawn o gefnogi ABC of Opera ar brosiect a fydd nid yn unig yn cyrraedd cymaint o bobl ifanc ledled Cymru ond hefyd i'w helpu i ymgysylltu â cherddoriaeth a chân ac i fynegi eu hunain yn greadigol.'

Meddai URC sydd wedi bod yn dangos y gân yn ystod rhai o gemau y Chwe Gwlad: ‘Mae’n anrhydedd mawr cael partneru â phrosiect mor anhygoel â hwn.’

DIWEDD