PUPILS from a Penygroes school have used body percussion to create their own compositions at a top festival in north Wales.

Nine and 10-year-old children from Ysgol Bro Lleu, Penygroes were invited to take a significant part in an event at the Bangor Music Festival, which took place in Pontio arts centre last week.

They wrote their own group composition using a combination of sounds from conventional percussion instruments and body percussion.

The project gave a rare opportunity for Year 4 and 5 pupils to explore music in an unusual way and to increase their confidence in performing in a group, especially in front of the festival audience.

The workshop leader and talented young composer, Sarah Lianne Lewis said: “In the current climate where music is being side-lined by the government in favour of STEM subjects, we are in danger of children not having access to a free musical education.

“Through this project – and one I ran two years ago with the Bangor Music Festival – it is encouraging to see just how much the children thrive and flourish when encouraged to be creative and explore music without boundaries.”

The festival’s artistic director, Dr Guto Pryderi Puw, a senior lecturer in music and head of composition at Bangor University, said: “Being able to work with local schools to further enhance their music provision is very high on the festival’s priorities, since we are investing in the future.

“Music should be available for all with anyone participating and with this project we are directly engaging with pupils in the creation and performance of music.”