The organist entertains
Dorothy Singh is the organist at the parish church in Llandybie. But she and her children are among the leading musical families in Wales. Donna Williams tells their story
Dorothy’s talent was evident from a young age and eventually she spent time in Germany, meeting other like-minded musicians from all over Eastern Europe. Dorothy especially loved the energy of the folk music in what was then Communist Hungary.
The teaching there followed the Kodaly method where music is taught through singing (sol-fa) and playing games before learning to play an instrument. Kodaly firmly believed that we should feel the music as well as play it. Dorothy adopted the Kodaly method and travelled around Hungary every summer playing her violin to audiences and teaching on courses.
Dorothy now uses the Kodaly method to teach hundreds of local children and is always especially keen to involve disadvantaged children who otherwise would not be able to access music or play an instrument. At present, as well as her usual teaching commitments, she is working with and encouraging refugee children and families from Poland, Syria and Iran.
She has reached out to the local community, organising a Music Club for children, afternoon concerts to support refugees, and her family have entertained us with a Thanksgiving Concert and candle-lit concert, attracting congregations from near and far.
Dorothy’s children, Rakhi, Davinder and Simmy have excelled at playing the violin. All three gained scholarships to attend the prestigious Chetham School of Music in Manchester. Dorothy travelled the length and breadth of the country taking them to Eisteddfodau, courses and concerts, relentlessly encouraging them to reach their full potential.
Rakhi won the Bryn Terfel Award at the National Eisteddfod and The Young Musician of Great Britain. All three have played for prestigious orchestras.
During lockdown, Rakhi and Simmy co-directed a string orchestra and the performances can still be viewed on YouTube. Simmy is the Creative Associate for Sinfonia Cymru - nurturing the next generation of young musicians, giving them the space and opportunity to develop their whole musical self.
Simmy has been awarded a Future Wales Fellowship grant by the Arts Council of Wales to develop her skills as an Earth Activist Musician. This involves using music to become part of the global solution to climate change. On the Sinfonia Cymru website you can view an example of this work and see Vivaldi’s Four Seasons reimagined, entitled Regenerate. Anyone interested in developing a similar project can contact Simmy on s.singhviolin@gmail.com. Llandybie Church is already on her to-do list!