OVERVIEW

Established in 1984, the National Youth Choir of Wales has supported the long-standing choral traditions of Wales ever since, with many alumni still singing or conducting choirs throughout Wales and further afield.

Other alumni can be heard performing professionally in concert halls and opera houses throughout the World, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins and current NYCW conductor, Tim Rhys-Evans.

The Choir’s members, largely aged between 16 and 22 years, are drawn from all parts of Wales and auditioned annually. As with all NYAW ensembles, the choir works with first-class professional musicians to deliver its key strategic aim of Excellence.

NYCW PROGRAMME 2024

Conductor
Tim Rhys-Evans MBE

National Youth Choir of Wales will return in 2024, led once again by one of the UK’s leading lights in vocal and choral music, Tim Rhys-Evans.

This year’s choir performed a fantastic range of music, from new arrangements of traditional Welsh Hymns to Musical Theatre and everything in between.

As a former member of the National Youth Choir of Wales himself, Tim always talks about his honour at being the current conductor of the NYCW and we are equally proud to work with him. Well known for founding Only Men Aloud, followed by the Aloud Charity and its Only Boys Aloud, Only Kids Aloud and the Only Boys Aloud Academi, Tim’s experience as a singer, conductor and voice specialist has seen him work with opera companies, choirs and organisations across the UK and Europe.

Tim’s energy and enthusiasm shines through in the choice of repertoire and the stunning performances over the last few years and we’re looking forward to another exciting year in 2024.

2024 DATES

Pre-Residency Rehearsals:   
23 - 24 March 2024
29 - 30 June 2024

Residency:                            
16 - 26 August 2024
University of Wales Trinity St David, Carmarthen

COST

Cost: £545

Your membership fee includes all tuition costs, accommodation, food and board, travel within the residency and social activities. Thanks to the generous support from our funders and supporters, National Youth Arts Wales subsidises a significant part of the costs of being a member of one of the national youth ensembles.

Our Bursary Fund could help to cover some, or all, of the membership fees, so that no-one is deterred from applying for the NYAW Ensembles for financial reasons. If you have an annual household income of less than £70,000, you could be eligible for financial support.

Additionally, for the first time this year and with support from The Leverhulme Trust, we can offer full Fee Waivers and additional support towards travel expenses and other costs associated with NYAW membership for those who need it most.

Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information including how to claim help toward audition costs and membership fees.

Bursary Fund

Our Bursary Fund could help to cover some or all of the membership fees, so that no-one is deterred from applying for the NYAW Ensembles for financial reasons. If you have an annual household income of less than £70,000, you could be eligible for financial support. Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information including how to claim help toward audition costs and membership fees.

Eligibility

Applications are accepted from singers who have a keen interest in singing and participate regularly with a choir at a high level. You should be aged between 16 and 22, on 31 August 2024. (This means that you may be able to audition aged 15, as long as you will be 16 by this date). We may take younger participants into the ensembles on occasions where extraordinary talent is shown. This will be solely at the discretion of NYAW. You must either have been born in Wales and/or currently living in Wales, or studying full-time in Wales.

NYAW reserves the right to exclude anyone from taking part in its ensembles at its reasonable discretion, to be exercised by senior staff or trustees.

For any questions about our eligibility criteria, please email us at: nyaw@nyaw.org.uk.