Welsh Music Research Group

The School of Music’s unique position as a leading research centre specialising in Welsh music is confirmed by its active involvement in the field since the close of the 19th century. Dr J. Lloyd Williams’ initial interest in Welsh traditional music, Harry Evans and E. T. Davies’ compositional output, followed by Reginald Smith Brindle and William Mathias’ standing in the field of music in Wales provide the background and context for present-day activity. Since the mid-1980s, the School has maintained an international reputation as a centre for performance, composition, teaching and research into Welsh music.

The Centre for Advanced Welsh Music Studies (CAWMS), organises conferences and edits the bilingual journal Welsh Music History/ Hanes Cerddoriaeth Cymru. The Archive of Welsh Traditional Music is the primary resource worldwide for research in the area (directed by Wyn Thomas) and expertise in folk music performance (Stephen Rees), music in Medieval Wales (Sally Harper) and popular music research (Pwyll ap Siôn and Chris Collins) serve to promote further understanding of the subject.

The School is also custodian of the Welsh Popular Music Archive. The archive comprises recordings and research materials relating to popular music in Wales in the latter half of the twentieth century.