ALMOST £600 was raised for Syrian refugees last weekend following a day of music and fundraising in Aberystwyth.

Hosted by Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and organised by Bethan Miles of Cymru i Bawb — Wales for All — Musiqa i Aberaid was a day of music with all proceeds going to Aberaid, which supports Syrian refugees fleeing violence in their homeland.

Those in attendance saw talented youngsters Nils Marggraf Turley (trumpet), Ifan Llywelyn (violin) and Sophie Neal (flute), as well as solo items from oboist Ali Greely, clarinetist Harry Jepson and violinist Sam Greaves.

The day also featured Ailsa Mair Hughes and Peter Stevenson, folk band The Backroom Band, blues band Hollow Log, Côr ABC, Ensemble Ensalada Aber, and the Aberystwyth Trombone Quartet.

Ms Miles told the Cambrian News: “We are so lucky to have an enrichment of musicians living in the Aberystwyth area — enough to fill many days with every kind of music — including gifted youngsters, amateur and professional performers.”

Interspersed with the live performances, tracks were played from Jordi Savall’s Hommage à la Syrie (Tribute to Syria) CD.

Ms Miles added: “Music transcends borders and nothing encapsulates this better than an impromptu performance which happened on Saturday afternoon when Mohammed, one of our Syrian friends here in Aberystwyth, sang to Driss El Maloumi’s improvisation on the Oud track from Hommage à la Syrie, with the renowned traditional Welsh musician Ceri Rhys Matthews adding his own improvisation on the flute.”

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday