St. David’s Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant) is celebrated on March 1st and is a fantastic opportunity to explore Welsh culture, music, and traditions in primary schools. Whether you have Welsh heritage in your school or just want to introduce children to different cultural celebrations, music is a great way to engage pupils in the festivities.
Who Was St. David?
St. David is the patron saint of Wales, known for his teachings, miracles, and simple way of life. He encouraged kindness, humility, and the importance of small actions - his famous words were "Gwnewch y pethau bychain" (Do the little things). Today, St. David's day is a day to honour Wales as a whole. There is a useful video and activities on BBC Teach here.
Bringing St. David’s Day to Life Through Music
Music plays a huge role in Welsh culture, from traditional folk songs to modern Welsh artists. Here are some ideas to bring the celebration to life in your classroom:
🎶 1. Sing/Listen to Traditional Welsh Songs
Introduce children to famous Welsh songs, such as:
"Calon Lân" – A beautiful Welsh hymn about having a pure heart.
"Sosban Fach" – A fun, lively folk song that younger children love!
"Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" – The Welsh national anthem (great for a school assembly performance).
🎼 2. Explore Famous Welsh Musicians
Why not introduce children to famous musicians from Wales?
Shirley Bassey – A legendary singer known for her powerful voice.
Tom Jones – A great way to introduce rhythm and performance.
Charlotte Church – A classical-crossover singer who became famous as a child.
Bryn Terfel – A world-renowned opera singer.
Super Furry Animals & Manic Street Preachers – Rock bands with a strong Welsh identity.
🥁 3. Learn About Welsh Instrumental Music
Traditional Welsh instruments include:
The Welsh harp (Telyn Cymru) – One of the most iconic instruments in Welsh music.
Pibgorn – A traditional Welsh wind instrument.
Male voice choirs – A defining sound of Welsh musical heritage.
🎭 4. Use Music to Inspire Creative Activities
Create a musical storytelling session – Use Welsh myths and legends (like the story of Gelert) and add sound effects or simple melodies. The book 'Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends' is a great place to start for KS2.
Compose a class song – Write a simple tune inspired by St. David’s values of kindness and community. You could even harness the powers of AI but using Suno.ai with your class, adding some traditional Welsh instruments and musical styles.
Perform a mini-Eisteddfod – Host a small-scale version of Wales’ famous cultural festival, where children can sing, recite poetry, or play instruments.
More Musical Inspiration for Your Classroom
If you're looking for more ways to bring music into your lessons, visit Musician of the Month, where you’ll find engaging resources to introduce children to musicians from around the world. How will you be celebrating St. David’s Day in your classroom? Let us know in the comments! 🌼🎶
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