A MUSIC teacher was “proud and privileged” to play a challenging accordion solo during the premier of new work written for the National Youth Choir of Wales.

Mario Conway, director of music at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, performed on his beloved accordion in the first public rendition of Sounds and Sweet Airs in Cardiff on Friday 24th July.

The piece was put together by Paul Mealor, who composed music for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, to celebrate 150 years of Welsh settlement in Patagonia.

Mr Conway (pictured) was thrilled to be asked to accompany the choir, firstly at the Senned in Cardiff Bay, and then at Llandaff Cathedral in the evening.

He said: “To be involved in the first performance of any musical work is not only a challenge, but a privilege.

“Paul Mealor’s joy at the end of the Senned performance was a sight to behold, and I was very proud to be involved.

“The piece is a marvelous choral creation and what the choir and the accordion are asked to do is incredibly challenging, but uplifting.”

“The piece erupts, first with hand held percussion which choir members have to play as well as sing, and then the accordion announces what Mealor calls a Welsh tango rhythm.”

“From that moment to the end it is a rollercoaster ride of sounds, rhythms and cascading music which builds in intensity right up to the final bar.”

The choir – which is preparing for a tour of Argentina – performed an extended concert on Friday night.

“In the serene setting of Llandaff Cathedral, the choir performed an exhausting program of choral music in which they sing in five different languages,” said Mr Conway, who has taught at HMSG for 33 years.