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The annual TOTALEIGH MUSIC MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2025
The annual TOTALEIGH MUSIC MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR competition took place on the evening of Thursday 17th July 2025 in the Community Hall at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn. Big thanks to the high school for their hospitality and also to the staff and students of Totaleigh Music for a fabulous evening of entertainment. Heartfelt thanks to the volunteer front of house crew: Val, Ian, Delyth, Dan and Bob without whom this would not have been possible! and to the entertainers JODIE POUNTNEY & THE TOTALEIGH MUSIC STRING TRIO - Sue, Zoe and Steve.
Special thanks go to the adjudicators - fabulous local professional musicians - Sammie Mac , Lee Cave-Berry and Kimberley Rew. Their expertise and time given to this was very much appreciated by everyone involved.
Thanks to all the local businesses and community members who donated raffle prizes: SUE at TOTALEIGH MUSIC SPAR CO-OP DELYTH at PORTMEIRION VILLAGE, SCRUBADUB, LEILA's NAILS, MARJ at SERENITY BEAUTY, THE WHITEHALL, NICK AITKEN at TYWYN LEISURE CENTRE, CLAIRE at ABERDYFI GALLERY, THE MAGIC LANTERN CINEMA, THE PINK COW ICE-CREAM, THE DOVEY INN, TOAST, MORAWEL, SIZZERS.
PERSONAL/PRIVATE DONATATIONS from Jane Barrett, Nickie Lee, Ian & Kelsey, Andrew Penny & 2 x unknown donations left on my desk in music school.... and special thanks to this year's SPONSORS as listed in the classes below!
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the finalists in this year's TOTALEIGH MUSIC MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
And the winners are:
ENTRY CLASS sponsored by MOR. 1ST PLACE: Owen Moss - trumpet, 2ND PLACE: Seren Rix - piano, 3rd PLACE: Clark Bolton-Owen - saxophone RUNNER UP: Bella Fox - piano
ELEMENTARY CLASS sponsored by CO-OP. 1ST PLACE: Sarah Pugh – ukulele & voice, 2ND PLACE: Eden Demaine - piano, 3rd PLACE: Rosie Pugh – voice RUNNERS UP: Beth Jones - piano Eira Rix - ukulele Rhys Turner - piano.
NOVICE CLASS sponsored by LEAHURST BED & BREAKFAST. 1ST PLACE: Eira Rix - piano, 2ND PLACE: Loti Ebery - voice, 3rd PLACE: Catrin Williams - voice RUNNERS UP: Lola Richards – ukulele & voice Ella Woodward - piano Isla Jones - piano Pebbles Fletcher - voice Owain Jones – voice.
FOUNDATION CLASS sponsored by ENCIL EYRI. 1ST PLACE: Daisy Moss - piano, 2ND PLACE: Ella Woodward - guitar, 3RD PLACE: Jack Pugh - piano RUNNERS UP: Cai Davies - piano Molly Hodges - flute Amelia Wyre - guitar Polly Richards - guitar Evie Hodges - saxophone.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS sponsored by CEGIN FACH. 1ST PLACE: Violet – voice & guitar, 2ND PLACE: Molly Hodges - voice, 3RD PLACE: Isaac Roberts – voice & guitar. RUNNERS UP: Laurie Rix- voice Nancy Lewis- voice Amelia Wyre - voice.
ADVANCED CLASS sponsored by WILLIAMS VETS. 1ST PLACE: Polly Richards – voice, 2ND PLACE: Lois Fowles - voice, 3RD PLACE: Laurie Rix - piano. RUNNERS UP: Jac Jones – voice & piano Megs Pullan - voice.
ENSEMBLE CLASS sponsored by SUNSET BAY LIFESTYLE. 1ST PLACE: JAC & LOIS Duet, 2ND PLACE: TMP Band, 3RD PLACE: R.A.M.L Guitar Quartet.
OPEN ADULT CLASS sponsored by THE VICTORIAN SLIPWAY. 1ST PLACE: Harry Rendell - voice, 2ND PLACE: Liz Kinsman - cornet, 3RD PLACE: Elin Williams - voice. RUNNERS UP: Anne-Sophie Tronet - trumpet Mickey Lee - voice
OVERALL WINNER of the 2025 TOTALEIGH MUSIC MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR is JAC JONES. The judges said he had the "X-Factor"! Sponsors - Ian & Kelsey.
CONGRATULATIONS to these students for recent ABRSM Music Exam Succes
Grade 1 Piano with Merit - Eira Rix Grade 2 Clarinet with Merit - Deri Young Grade 3 Cornet with Merit - Liz Kinsman Grade 4 Piano with Merit - Laurie Rix Grade 4 Trumpet with Merit - Anne-Sophie Tronet HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you all.
Welsh words at Totaleigh music
Ever wondered what the Welsh word for your favourite instrument is? Join us as we go through some Welsh words in the Totaleigh Music Studio. How many did you know?
students pass music exams at TOTALEIGH MUSIC with flying colours
We are delighted to say a huge WELL DONE to the following students who all passed their recent ROCKSCHOOL music exams at TOTALEIGH MUSIC with flying colours:
CONGRATULATIONS to Jake's students:
DEXTER SMITH - GRADE 1 DRUMS
CONGRATULATIONS to Connor's students:
KATIE COLLINSWOOD - GRADE 2 VOCALS
AMELIA WYRE - GRADE 2 VOCALS
LACEY TANNER - GRADE 2 VOCALS
JAC JONES - GRADE 3 VOCALS
CONGRATULATIONS to Holly's students:
LOLA RICHARDS - GRADE 1 VOCALS
POLLY RICHARDS - GRADE 3 VOCALS
LAURIE RIX - GRADE 3 VOCALS
CONGRATULATIONS to Leigh's students:
EIRA RIX - DEBUT GRADE UKULELE
LOLA RICHARDS - GRADE 2 UKULELE
ELLA WOODWARD - GRADE 2 CLASSICAL GUITAR
MARI DAVIES - GRADE 2 CLASSICAL GUITAR
DAISY MOSS - GRADE 2 PIANO
CAI DAVIES - GRADE 2 PIANO
Totaleigh Music have formed links with Menter Iaith
A community-based organisation which works to raise the profile of the Welsh language. Through the medium of music they hope to successfully support Menter Iaith in their mission. We sill begin by showcasing a Welsh song weekly sharing it through our Totaleigh Music facebook page. Below is a link to our chosen Welsh song of the week / Cân Gymraeg yr wythnos. Dim Clwydd – Sage Todz (RnB).
Teachers will be finding ways to incorporate these Welsh songs of the week into lessons and we are liaising with a reliable source at Menter Iath to ensure we source current and popular music which hopefully will appeal to our students.
CONGRATULATIONS to Caroline Jackson
CONGRATULATIONS to clarinet student Caroline Jackson who during her retirement years has written and had her first book published.
CONGRATULATIONS to singing student Lois
CONGRATULATIONS to singing student Lois who was recently awarded the Teitl y Gwobr - CA4 Cerdd, Prize Title - KS4 Music at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn.
TOTALEIGH MUSIC at ABERDYFI FOOD FESTIVAL
On Sunday 19th August 2024 Totaleigh Music Teachers Leigh and Holly, with students Isaac, Lois, Loti, Jac, Elin and Polly performed at Aberdyfi Food Festival. It was a glorious day and we were joined on stage by our special guests The Tra Mor Singers.
SUMMER EXAM SUCCESS
Students and teachers at Totaleigh Music are celebrating recent exam success. On 6 th July Associated Board Examinations were held at Ysgol Y Moelwyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog and 5 students along with their music tutor Leigh Matthews travelled there to take their instrumental exams. Then, on the 27 th July an examiner from Rockschool visited Tywyn to where Totaleigh Music hosted the exams for the 16 entries.
Director of Totaleigh Music Leigh Matthews said “I would like to express my thanks to the examiners from both Nationally recognised examination boards for making students feel at ease on their exam days. Thanks also to the teachers Connor Newdick, Holly Morris, Sue Griffith and Bob Pountney, for their hard work and of course a huge congratulations to all the wonderful music students. 21 entries across two examination boards and everyone passed with flying colours!”
Congratulations to
Daisy Moss ABRSM Grade 1 Classical Piano
Polly Richards & Ameilia Wyre ABRSM Grade 1 Classical Guitar
Zoe Murfin ABRSM Grade 3 Classical Guitar
Sue Griffith ABRSM Grade 4 Flute
Elza Racika Debut Grade Classical Violin
Evie Hodges, Molly Hodges, Jessie Lovett, Lola Richards & Sara Williams Rockschool Grade 1 Ukulele
Molly Hodges, Katie Collinswood, Kian Bryan, Amelia Wyre & Ruby Pierce Rockschool Grade 1 Vocals
Violet Demaine & Isaac Roberts Grade 1 Acoustic Guitar
Jac Jones Grade 2 Vocals
Sue Griffith Grade 3 Vocals
Anne-Sophie Tronet Grade 3 Trumpet
Craig & Susie webb workshops
On Saturday 3rd August we welcomed husband and wife duo Craig and Susie Webb from South Wales to host two fabulous 2 hour long music workshops in guitar and singing which were enjoyed by everyone of all ages and all abilities who attended.
The following day after a walk on the beach with their dog Coda, Susie and Craig performed first at The Peniarth Arms in Bryncrug and then at The Victorian Slipway in Tywyn where members of the previous day's workshop joined them for a flash mob sing along.
We do hope they return again soon!
Sending huge thanks to Susie and Craig for bringing so much music and joy to all at Totaleigh Music and in our local community.
Rock and Pop music workshops with Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn
TOTALEIGH MUSIC TUTORS & VOLUNTEERS working with students of Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn in Rock and Pop music workshops during Opportunities Week 2024. Thanks to tutors Paul, Kai, Lisa, Holly & Connor and volunteer Tabby. Keeping Music Live always!
Photos Below
TOTALEIGH MUSIC
OPEN WeeK
24th - 29th June 2024
An opportunity to visit our music school to review progress and meet the team.
Parents & Guardians are invited to attend their child’s lesson & adults are encouraged to bring partners and friends along to their lessons.
Please contact us if you are considering music lessons with us and would like to look around our school.
Tywyn’s Community PA systems first outing!
The Community PA was given it’s first outing last weekend providing the sound for another fundraiser organised by Totaleigh Music in The Neuadd Pendre, Tywyn.
Due to the windy conditions over the weekend, the much-loved annual Tywyn Light Fest organised by Tywyn Events Organisation had to be postponed. The headline act booked for the event; a new band made up of the music tutors at Totaleigh Music decided to book the hall and put on a last-minute indoor event in an effort to raise money for Tywyn Events Organisation. Leigh Matthews, Director of the music school in Tywyn said “Bands like us really do value the events organisation. They host several large events a year, giving us the opportunity to perform to large crowds.”
The new band called “The Totaleigh Music Experience” gave their debut performance on Saturday April 6th, with support act “The Brooke Stevens Band” who stepped in at the last minute to help out. Using the new community PA system for the first time “The Totaleigh Music Experience” performed a 2 hour high energy set featuring a wide repertoire of songs from throughout the decades. Boasting a pumping rock solid rhythm section, a 5 piece horn section, sensational keys and outstanding vocal harmonies from the 3 resident singers and guest singers, the 14 piece band delivered a great night of entertainment. Fabulous food was available courtesy of Dan Wyre and his team from Tywyn Foods.
If your organisation is interested in using Tywyn’s Community PA system, please contact Leigh at totaleighmusic@gmail.com for more information.
The community PA system we did fundraising for has arrived! And it is FABULOUS.....
On Sunday 18th February from 10.30am to 1.00pm Totaleigh Music offered a FREE training day for all those wishing to know how to operate the new PA system as in order for it to be used in community groups and event settings, someone who has completed the training will need to be hired out with the equipment. The equipment will be free to use in the community....but a sound engineer/trained person will need to be hired for safety purposes and of course to achieve optimum sound production. We were fortunate to have the expertise of sound engineer Derek Fudge facilitating the training session. Derek has over 25 years in sound and show production. He has worked with artists all over the world. Recent clients include Chrissie Hynde, Del Amitri, Tom Jones, David Baddiel, Harry Styles, Coldplay and George Ezra.... Many thanks for all in the community for all you did to support our fundraiser. You guys rock! Big thanks in advance to Derek for giving his time free of charge to do the training, to Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn for the use of their school hall and to Adrian Bennett for organising. Keeping Music Live...
totaleigh music xmas showcase - 3rd december 2023
What an amazing night, full of fantastic performances, music, laughter and good times. Check out some of the photos below as well as some reviews from happy audience members!
totaleigh music showcase - friday 22nd september
Check out the photos from an amazing night at the Magic Lantern!
Tunes, Tapas & Talent - september 2023
Check out the photos from what was an amazing night. We raised over £800 towards purchasing a community PA system and we are all absolutely delighted with the success of the event. For a full report, head over to our Facebook page.
Samba Rhythms - July 2023
TOTALEIGH MUSIC TUTORS & VOLUNTEERS working with students of Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn creating Samba Rhythms during Opportunities Week 2023.
AMELIA - PREP TEST CLASSICAL GUITAR
CAI - GRADE ONE PIANO
LEONORA - GRADE THREE PIANO
Congratulations to these students for recently passing their ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Exams:
