Clera

Clera is the society for traditional (musical) instruments of Wales. It was founded by a group of musicians including Stephen Rees, Robin Huw Bowen, Andy McLauchlin (all of Crasdant), Wyn Thomas, Huw Roberts, Llio Rhydderch, Elonwy Wright and Frances Môn Jones. Stephen Rees is the current chair.

It was launched officially at the Llandeilo National Eisteddfod in August 1996 as Cymdeithas Offerynnau Traddodiadol Cymru (COTC). It renamed itself Clera in 2003. Clera is an old Welsh verb referring to the activity of wandering musicians and poets (clerwyr).

Clera’s objectives are to promote Welsh traditional music and to promote Welsh traditional instruments. One of Clera’s major activities is to organise workshops around Wales to stimulate interest and offer tuition. It also organises informal sessions and lobbies the media to include traditional music in its programming. Clera is a registered charity and is supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Amateur Music Federation. ^[1]

The instruments covered by the definition of traditional instruments of Wales are not exclusively Welsh. They include the fiddle, the flute, the crwth, the pibgorn (hornpipe), the harp including the triple harp, and the Welsh pipes.

Y Glerorfa

Y Glerorfa, (the Clerorfa) is an ‘orchestra’ of traditional musicians which in early 2009 had well over 50 members. It was formed in 2006 to celebrate Clera’s 10th anniversary in a concert in Galeri Caernarfon ^[2] and has grown and developed since then. Most members are amateurs and over 30% are under 21. Y Glerorfa performed at Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2008. ^[3]

References

1. ^ Clera web site
2. ^ BBC Report on 10th anniversary concert
3. ^ Y Glerorfa at Lorient 2008