The actor who plays one of Star Wars’ most well-loved characters has sent an inspiring video message to Pembrokeshire’s young musicians urging them to keep making music during their prolonged stay at home.

Milford Mercury:

Anthony Daniels, who plays gold-plated droid C-3PO, tells students ‘in these difficult times, practise and have fun because your music-making really will help you get through this’.

His message came about thanks to a chat between Sian Lowe, a peripatetic strings teacher for the Pembrokeshire Music Service, and her sister Lynwen Brennan, who is an executive vice president of Lucasfilm which produces Star Wars.

The sisters (née Griffith), who grew up in Penally and attended Greenhill School in Tenby, were talking about how to keep children enthused while at home and in particular how to motivate those learning music.

Said Sian: “Lynwen’s little boy is learning music, so I sent her a link to the Pembrokeshire Music Service’s learner zone which we’ve set up for all young musicians to access – and then we talked about the idea of asking people to send messages to the pupils to inspire them.

“She contacted Anthony to see if he was interested and he was only too happy to help. He phoned me and was really enthusiastic about the idea.”

In his message to the young musicians, Anthony Daniels - who played C-3PO in all nine Star Wars films - says: “I was talking to Mrs Lowe the other day about her talented group of cellists and indeed about all you other musicians who are having to practise by yourselves at the moment.

“I know practising is hard work at the best of times, but you are going to have to be really self-disciplined until you meet up with your teachers again.

“I love music. For me, John Williams’ score for our films are so important. His compositions are equally as important as the character of Darth Vader or the beautiful Princess. Of course they are played by the most talented orchestras made up of musicians just like you.

“My favourite tune is the Imperial March and of course, the Cantina band.

“I do love music. It doesn’t mean I can make it. But you can – if you practise. So in these difficult times, practise, and have fun because your music making really will help you get through this.

“Good luck. And may the force be with you!”

Sian said the video had received a great reception – as has the online learner zone, set up by the peripatetic team at Pembrokeshire Music Service led by Philippa Roberts and Sarah Benbow, to support young musicians while they are at home.

Children and young people learning any instrument, at any level, can access the zone to view hints and tips on what they are learning, as well as fun videos and even their teachers performing the pieces!

“It’s a whole new way of life for everyone at the moment, and we are trying to keep our pupils inspired and keep them going,” said Sian. “It’s had lots of views and we’ve been really pleased with the feedback.”

And she had a special message for all pupils learning music in Pembrokeshire schools.

“I can speak for all of the peripatetic teaching team when I say that we are missing them so much and we can’t wait to be back with them again,” she said.

• Anthony Daniels’ video message can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/PembsMusicService/videos/2882139018535844

• Pembrokeshire Music Service’s learner zone can be viewed at

https://sites.google.com/hwbcymru.net/pms-learner-zone/home