“Gary-Gnu-what?” a friend asked when I told him what I’m working on. Gymanfa Ganu is Welsh for "hymn sing." It’s a mouthful to pronounce, but it goes something like this, with hard Gs (as in…Gary Gnu): gim-an-vi gahnny.
I performed for the MGGA in 2002 and 2003. I learned a lot about Welsh music while preparing for those concerts. Welsh music is so melodic. So structured. So absolutely pretty. And it's surprisingly different from Irish music in a way that I can't put my finger on. Interesting, since there's only just a bit of water between the countries.
Ever curious about language and words, I also wanted to learn about the Welsh language. A very kind and gentlemanly MGGA member gave me a crash course in Welsh Pronunciation for Dummies. I’ve managed to forget most of what he told me, except that it was very much ok to spit upon each other when speaking Welsh. I’d imagine it would be impossible not to, with all those dd=th and ll=llyth sounds flying out of one’s mouth.
Those concerts, I partnered with pianist and organist extraordinaire Christine Schulz. We tossed music back and forth in a wonderful mix of Classical-sounding theme and variation arrangements of Welsh hymns and songs.
This year’s concert will have a very different feeling and sound. I’ve chosen my favorite pieces from those previous concerts and have mixed it up with some more Welsh folk music I’ve arranged for the Band. I don't know if it'd go as far as to call it "Welsh music with an Irish spin." But I may call it “Welsh music in the style of Amy Kortuem and her Celtic Band.”
Usually the Band rehearses in the evenings, and it’s such a warm and lovely end to the day. These days, however, with SamTheDrummer having moved to Minneapolis to be with his lovely fiancée, we’re scheduling what we can here and there. Saturday morning was the only time that would work for all of us this week. I don’t do Saturday mornings very well. I usually guard them jealously as my time to rest and relax, to wind down from the week and to prepare for the weekend's playing. I’ll admit I was feeling a little bleary. But these wonderful friends are so very worth waking up early for.
SamTheDrummer was as calm and steady as ever.
Martha’s beautiful red hair (and her Calvin and Hobbes t-shirt)brightened up the room.
And Marti’s smile was as warm as the Saturday sunshine.Together, we made Welsh music sound even more melodic and pretty. I didn’t think that was possible. I love my Band.
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