In February this year, Cardiff Council launched Codi Llais, meaning ‘raise your voice’, an ambitious new city‑wide singing and songwriting initiative that has brought together thousands of young people in one of the largest massed‑choir events ever held in the capital.
The £60,000 project led by CF Music Education with support from Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government’s National Plan for Music Education, has united children from Years 5–7 across Cardiff, that culminated in a major performance at the Utilita Arena Cardiff this week.
Bronwen Lewis, singer, songwriter and host of BBC Radio Wales’ morning show provided a surprise performance when she joined the massed choir and performers to perform two of her own songs and the song written by her and pupils especially for the project – ‘Codi Llais’.
Around 1,600 pupils took to the stage at the concluding concert, in a rock‑ and pop‑infused performance showcasing Cardiff’s young talent on a high‑profile platform. They were joined by professional musicians including Welsh singer-songwriter Shellyann, known for winning All Together Now and for her standout appearance on The Voice, comedian, singer and actor Mike Doyle and a professional rock band.
The show was compered by Elin Llwyd a Welsh actor, singer and vocal animateur and director of ABC (Academi Berfformio Caerdydd), who is passionate about widening access to singing and the arts for children and young people across Wales.
Designed to inspire young people, strengthen music provision in schools and celebrate Cardiff’s cultural vibrancy, Codi Llais – raise your voice, focussed on themes of finding your voice, self-belief, being brave, being young and having fun.
Reaching up to 10,000 children through in‑school visits, professional vocal practitioners worked directly with pupils to support them in developing literacy and oracy alongside vocal technique, confidence and musicianship.
The project supports the Curriculum for Wales expressive arts framework and aims to leave a long‑term legacy by strengthening whole‑school singing and laying foundations for future annual events. Other benefits include:
- Improved musical skills and confidence
- Enhanced wellbeing and sense of belonging
- Strengthened collaboration across Cardiff’s cultural sector
- Increased teacher confidence and professional development uptake
Teachers have also benefitted from free Professional Learning sessions, delivered online and face‑to‑face, aimed at building confidence and developing long‑term singing culture within schools. A comprehensive digital resource pack containing rehearsal tracks, scores and teaching guidance, has been provided at no cost to participating schools.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Codi Llais is a wonderful celebration of the creativity and energy of Cardiff’s young people. By bringing together thousands of pupils from right across the city, an unforgettable musical moment has been created whilst strengthening confidence, wellbeing and a sense of belonging through the power of singing. This project shows what is possible when our schools, practitioners and communities come together with ambition and imagination – giving every child the chance to raise their voice and be part of something truly city‑wide.”
Following a workshop with over 70 pupils from schools all over Cardiff, Bronwen said: “How cool is it that these children get to sing at an arena. That is something most celebrities, most artists don’t get a chance to do. Not bad for a first gig for most of them.
“It’s amazing! There was nothing like this when I was growing up. They are all so lucky to get a chance to get music lessons and write your songs and express themselves, it’s incredible…This is a big deal for me, a real career highlight and it’ll definitely be a massive highlight in your lives as well.
“Codi Llais is brilliant…I always felt as a kid that I had to go into either the classical world, be in an orchestra or then sing in pubs and clubs and sing karaoke. What’s amazing is that the children can literally be anything here. It’s wonderful. I’m very grateful to be here.”
Bronwen appeared on ITV singing show The Voice in 2013, coming full circle when she was invited to join the judging panel of Y Llais, the Welsh language version. She also starred in the Bafta winning film, Pride, released a solo album, and toured with Welsh icon Max Boyce for three years, as well as gaining an online fan base through virtual concerts during the Covid pandemic and social media Welsh language covers.
