Arts Council of Wales responds to report on youth arts in Wales

Commissioned last year, the joint effort between NYAW and YANC has been published, outlining the plans for developing the Youth Arts sector with increased involvement from young people

In November 2020, a joint letter from National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) and Youth Arts Network Cymru (YANC) was submitted to Arts Council of Wales (ACW) outlining fundamental concerns for the future of the youth arts sector in Wales; predominantly surrounding the devastating consequences of Covid-19 on young people and the arts sector.

It highlighted the historic lack of resource for youth arts, the impact of the pandemic on young people’s wellbeing and future aspirations for careers in the arts, plus the lack of voice that young people have had so far in the discourse during the pandemic.

Commissioned by Arts Council Wales in 2021, National Youth Arts Wales teamed up with Youth Arts Network Cymru (YANC) to undertake a series of online consultation sessions with young people, youth arts organisations, and practitioners to determine the viability and need for a youth forum in Wales and consultation on future of youth arts lottery funding.

Below is a summary of the report, following its publication by Arts Council Wales.

To read the full report on the Arts Council Wales website, click here. To read the Easy Read report, click here.

What young people want

There was a general agreement that both Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government need to do more to take the needs of young people more seriously and place them higher on the agenda, such as listening to young people, fostering better connections that place young people at the centre of work, and more flexible and unrestricted funding for projects with young people.

Participants talked about wanting a network for young people to connect and collaborate with one another as well as supporting their engagement and careers in the arts through support, information and resources.

Network and youth voice representation

Simply put, people said they wanted an arts network for young people that would aid their ability to meet and work with each other. The purpose of this network would be to help young people to work collaboratively, get information about the arts and connect with art organisations within Wales, get help with funding and applications and to help kickstart careers in the arts.

Suggestions were also made around increasing funding and support for YANC. A strengthened YANC, with strengthened partnerships with arts and community organisations across Wales could work with young people, organisations and ACW to develop such a network.

It was recognised that creating such a network is a big undertaking, but should be made by young people rather than for young people, with the opportunity for online and in-person engagement. It was also recognised that the network should be accessible and inclusive for young people from all communities across Wales, with different access points for young people at varying points of their journey within the arts.

The network must also be available bilingually and ensure that young people wanting to seek opportunities, support or connections through the Welsh language are able to do so through equal representation in Welsh.

Durting the sessions discussing an expansion of youth voice representation, there were several ideas discussed that would give young people the platform to be authentically listened to by ACW, without putting the onus on them to fix all the problems.

A youth collective that meets to discuss ongoing issues was discussed, and the collective would be able to lean on ACW, whilst also echoing the structures of Cardiff Youth Council, Welsh Youth Parliament or Westminster’s Youth Parliament.

Points were also raised about the importance of this collective or group having real agency to influence decisions.

Other suggestions included placing two young people on the Arts Council itself, and developing a skills and training programme that invests in young people from across Wales.

Funding for youth arts

The overarching opinion is that the current model presents significant barriers for many young people, in addition to restrictions found by organisations aiming to run projects in more flexible and responsive ways.

There were several calls to remove the jargon and difficult wording of application bids, and re-examine the wording used and the requirements in place to submit ideas.

There were also calls to ensure that funding mentoring is a requirement for offering the funding in the first place.

There were young artists in the sessions who commented on how much they benefitted from the advice and guidance from the organisations that they are involved with when writing applications, but there were also clear calls for a wider support from Arts Council Wales. Importantly, this wider support needs to be accessible to those who perhaps don’t have those pre-existing networks, through training days and guidance on how to apply.

Arts Council Wales does offer information on applying for funding in large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read and British Sign Language, but there are D/deaf artists who are not aware of this, or what alternatives there may be to help with applications.

It has been suggested that visibility of access support should be increased, and that video applications should be considered.

What happens next?

What young people want to happen in the next 3 months

• For this report to be publicised in English and Welsh, with additional social media support and paid advertising

• Videos to be made from young people in the arts responding to the report

What young people want to happen in the next 6 months

• Dialogue between Arts Council Wales and arts organisations on how to start the youth arts network

• An increase in bilingual events with young people

• Use the events to increase support for young people to work with Arts Council Wales

What young people want to happen in the next 1 to 2 years

• Direct funding for youth arts that’s accessible by young people

• Simple application forms with no jargon and simplified language

• Arts organisations to collaborate bilingually to create a network for youth arts, supported by Arts Council Wales

• Two young peolpe to be invited to join Arts Council Wales

• Training programmes and facilities for young people to lead in the arts sector

For more information on Arts Council Wales visit their website.

Cardiff’s iconic Clwb Ifor Bach hosts first NYAW Music Futures gig

Music Futures has announced its first public outing since the project’s inception by National Youth Arts Wales in 2019. Arriving fresh from months of collaboration in the studio – with the likes of Mace the Great, Hemes, Skunkadelic, Lily Beau and Clwb Ifor Bach’s own DJ Dabes – this next generation of Wales’s up-and-coming artists will give their first public performance on Wednesday 24 August 2022. Womanby Street’s iconic live music venue, nightclub and promoter has hosted countless international, local, and emerging artists, providing an early platform for some of the biggest names in music today.

The evening offers a fusion of sounds with genres ranging from grime to indie, pop to EDM; truly showcasing the future of Wales's music scene and what the next generation of young Welsh musicians has to offer. On Clwb Ifor Bach’s main stage: Morakai, Shaun Tucker, Daffydd Rose, Megan McFadden, Sharmeela, Olivia Sinclair, ONE84k, Leasha Packham, Hannah Huish and 4SZN. Taking the DJ booth: Jack Reardon. Also taking the stage will be the young industry professionals who have supported the programme’s Future Mentors: Soul singer Aisha Kigs, genre-defying singer E11ICE, and rapper Kali.

Music Futures supports young music-makers, with the potential to grow as artists, by developing their songwriting, self-management, and musicianship skills in a safe and supportive environment. The project takes each participant on the full life cycle of writing songs – from writing and recording, to performing, touring, and promoting their music – and enables participants to experiment with a wide range of genres. Over the past few months, these young musicians have worked together with their mentors to perfect their craft as singers, songwriters and producers through National Youth Arts Wales’s artist development programme: Music Futures. With guidance along the way, they have been growing their artistry, creating exciting music projects and had the opportunity to network with music industry professionals, learning what it takes to succeed in the creative industries in Wales.

Music Futures Trainee Producer Elina Lee says:

“Talented young artists often remain unseen as many live-event venues require their artist to be over the age of 18 to perform, this is something National Youth Arts Wales aims to change. It’s important to us that these young talented artists get the opportunities to perform and be a part of the music scene at this early stage in their career, which happens so rarely”

“Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these artists at the early stage of their careers and be part of the change that is happening right now in the Welsh music scene.”

Book Tickets

Read more about the project

Congratulations to our 2022 Orchestra and Brass Band prize winners

Each year on our residencies, we celebrate our musicians who display the most promise and dedication. The recipients of each award is decided by the sectional tutors during the residencies.

National Youth Arts Wales would like to express its gratitude to those who have donated money for the creation of these awards.

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF WALES

The Haydn Davies Award

Awarded to the most promising player still in education

Dewi Thistlewood

The Irwyn Walters (Friends of NYOW) Awards

Awarded to the two most promising string players at this year’s residency

Sharon Liang & Kit Cookson

The Wil Jones Prize

Awarded to the most promising woodwind player at this year’s residency

Heidi Walliman

The Goronwy Evans Award

Awarded to the most promising brass player at this year’s residency

Branwen Thistlewood

The Tony Moore Harp Prize

Awarded to the most promising harpist at this year’s residency

Elena Ruddy

NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BAND OF WALES

The John Childs Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the most promising player at this year’s residency

Ioan Jones

The David Mabey Prize

Awarded to the most improved player on the residency

Carys Lewis

The Principal Cornet Award

Donated by Tony Small

Owain Llestyn

Looking back at Momentwm 2022

Fourteen budding young dancers recently attended the first in-person Momentwm residency, delivered in collaboration between Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme and National Youth Arts Wales. 

Photos: Sian Trenberth

These young people attended the course as pairs from different schools across Wales, originating from areas identified as having limited access to dance performance and development. Having never previously met as a group before, the dancers spent three days at Cardiff’s Gwersyll yr Urdd on a fun-filled intensive programme of dance skills, developing their technique and creativity alongside some of the best names in the Welsh dance industry.  

The aim of the project was to give the young dancers a taste of dance training, which they might not otherwise have access to, and to encourage them to continue dancing as they progress through secondary school. 

“Bringing our national Duets scholars together for Momentwm has been a hugely exciting event. Not only has it provided many inspirational dance and learning opportunities, but it has also enabled scholars from all over Wales to come together, in a physical space, for the first time.

The commitment and experience of both Ballet Cymru and National Youth Arts Wales to host a residency of this calibre has fostered such a positive dance experience for all involved. Momentwm represents a big step in the partnership between Ballet Cymru and National Youth Arts Wales and our joint vision to help bridge gaps in dance provision in Wales, and to address challenges in dance access and engagement.”

— Amy Doughty, Assistant Artistic Director, Ballet Cymru

Freelance Welsh Dance Artist and choreographer Liam Riddick led sessions on contemporary dance technique. These workshops focused on guiding the young dancers in developing duet and solo performances, and providing a space for them to experience creative collaboration with a new company of fellow performers.  

Participants also had the opportunity to build on their rhythm and hip-hop vocabulary alongside Reuel Bertram of Jukebox Collective, as well as to learn new ballet steps and vocabulary with Louise Lloyd, Ballet Cymru Duets practitioner. 

“National Youth Arts Wales is thrilled to have delivered our pilot project for 10 – 12 year olds, Momentwm, in partnership with Ballet Cymru. Being able to return to in-person delivery, and providing the space for younger dancers to explore, to learn from industry professionals, and above all, enjoy the time to be creative, has been wonderful.

It is really important to be able to offer this kind of programme to those across the country who may not typically get access to dance training at this level, especially given the impact of the pandemic on this age group. Increasing access too by providing these kinds of progression pathways to Wales’ gifted and talented young performers from grassroots level upwards, is a key part of what NYAW does. Nurturing these relationships in underrepresented communities that face barriers to arts training is the latest step in Ballet Cymru and NYAW’s joint efforts to tackle issues around diversity and representation across the youth arts sector.”

— Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive, National Youth Arts Wales

Following on from these lively dance workshops, this year’s Momentwm participants also got stuck in to a social schedule of bowling trips, movie nights, and group walks around Cardiff Bay, providing the perfect space for these young people to get to know each other and begin developing life-long friendships through dance. 

Duets, produced by Ballet Cymru, is a national programme for young people in areas of need to access dance training and progression. The programme is specifically designed to identify talent, provide progression pathways, and improve aspiration for young people who would not usually have the opportunity to access and engage with dance, particularly those living in deprived areas of Wales. 

Momentwm is National Youth Arts Wales’ training and development programme for young dancers at the early stages of their journey into dance. The programme focuses on developing core dance skills and strength, as well as creative and performance techniques, with an overall aim of equipping these young dancers with the skillset required to pursue professional dance training. Having previously collaborated with ZooNation - The Kate Prince Company, NYAW are thrilled to have worked alongside Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme for Momentwm 2022. 

National Youth Arts Wales' Momentwm programme collaborating with Ballet Cymru Duets this Easter

This year, National Youth Arts Wales’ Momentwm project is partnering with Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme, culminating in an exciting Easter Residency in Cardiff.

Talented and passionate young dancers from all across Wales are selected to take part in this year’s Momentwm Duets project, spending three days alongside some of the country’s most fantastic dance artists to upskill their choreography and creative skills. Across the residency, this young collective of dancers will be immersed into a jam-packed schedule full of Contemporary, Ballet and Hip Hop styles, and creative movement sessions.

The residency is designed to provide these young dancers with a snapshot into life as a professional dancer, and alongside the tailored dance programme there will be opportunities to be involved in social activities and to get to know their fellow young dancers. The programme is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people from across Wales, and to develop friendships that will last long into these young dancers’ careers. 

Duets, produced by Ballet Cymru, is a national programme for young people in areas of need to access dance training and progression. The programme is specifically designed to identify talent, provide progression pathways, and improve aspiration for young people who would not usually have the opportunity to access and engage with dance, particularly those living in deprived areas of Wales.

Momentwm is National Youth Arts Wales’ exciting training and development programme for young dancers at the early stages of their journey into dance. The programme focuses on developing core dance skills and strength, as well as creative and performance techniques, with an overall aim of equipping these young dancers with the skillset required to pursue professional dance training. Following an exciting digital Momentwm project in 2021 in collaboration with ZooNation - The Kate Prince Company, NYAW are thrilled to be working alongside Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme for Momentwm 2022.

Photo credits: Sian Trenberth/Ballet Cymru

National Youth Theatre of Wales and Solomonic Peacocks Theatre, Malawi collaborate on new international film project

Two youth theatre companies, 5000 miles apart, will premiere a new film at the Solomonic Peacocks Theatre’s Easter Festival in April – created by the young performers as part of a year-long international collaboration. 

The project, taking place digitally via Zoom and WhatsApp, has involved regular online creative workshops exploring youth voice and empowerment – and discovering the things that young people in both countries have in common. 

The tri-lingual film – performed in Welsh, Chichewa and English – is a collaborative spoken word poem performed by the creators and filmed using mobile phones, one of the common technologies that unites young people around the world. An important aspect of the project was to ensure young people were at the centre of creating the work – with the group deciding to focus on the themes of empowering young women and girls, and their common link of bilingualism and a desire to share their daily lives and cultures digitally.

Alongside its premiere at SPT’s Easter Festival on Friday 8 April, a docu-film will be released showing the creation of the film and how the project has impacted on the young people involved. In the UK, the film will be launched at the same time on the AM platform at www.amam.cymru/nyaw 

The project is funded through British Council Wales’s Go Digital fund, which was designed to facilitate digital partnerships between arts companies in Wales with counterparts in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The project and its weekly sessions have been jointly produced by both companies, and has also enabled young theatre facilitators and producers to learn from each other, enabling a true cultural exchange. 

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, congratulated the partnership: “It’s fantastic to see this international collaboration between National Youth Theatre of Wales and Solomonic Peacocks Theatre, Malawi. This exciting cultural exchange between young performers, on the theme of youth empowerment, truly embraces digital media and international partnership. 

“Forging these kind of international connections is a key part of our arts strategy in Wales – and it’s heartening to see young people in Wales respond by focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us. I look forward to watching the finished film very soon and to see what the young people have created.”

Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, said: “It’s been fantastic to be able to bring this life-changing cultural exchange to NYTW members. As the project clearly demonstrates, there is more that brings young people together around the world than separates them. We’re grateful to British Council Wales for funding the project, which has facilitated this exchange of ideas and will leave a lasting legacy in our two countries. 

Natasha Nicholls, Arts Project Manager at British Council Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the young people from National Youth Arts Wales and Solomonic Peacocks Theatre in Malawi to explore digital theatre and cultural exchange. 

“Go Digital is a British Council Wales programme to enable partners from Wales and Sub Saharan Africa to connect digitally, develop new relationships and explore new ways of working. The programme has taken place in Wales and 8 countries across Sub Saharan Africa, spanning dance, theatre, literature, film and visual arts.”

McArthur Matukuta, Executive Director at Solomonic Peacocks Theatre, said: “Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has blocked physical contact, the power of art unblocked the barrier through digital technology. It’s proved to be one of the best mediums of continuing exchanging and sharing skills amongst the young people".

The film will be available to watch, for free, at www.amam.cymru/nyaw from Friday 8 April.

Mentors announced for Music Futures 2022

Following a successful hybrid/online version of the project last year, working with 20 young people and developing their talents alongside a team of mentors, we’re so excited that Music Futures is underway for 2022!

Music Futures is a free contemporary music project and development opportunity for Wales’s music makers of the future. It enables young people aged 16-18 to grow into the artists that they want to be and supports them to make their mark on the current Welsh music scene.

National Youth Arts Wales are pleased to announce the mentors involved in this year’s Music Futures programme. Ranging in genre and skillset from Grime to Indie, DJing to RnB, we’re proud to be working with a cohort of creatives representing the best of the contemporary music landscape in Wales.

MACE THE GREAT

Mace The Great is an exciting force of Grime and Hip Hop, hailing from Cardiff, Wales. Having won a Triskel Award at the Welsh Music Prize 2020, and garnering the support of the likes of BBC 1Xtra, BBC Wales, ITV, S4C (national TV station for Wales), Cardiff City FC, FOCUS Wales showcase festival and conference, Nominated for Welsh Music Prize 2021, Welsh Ambassador for independent venue week 2022, invited to perform at SXSW 2022 and also part of the MOBO Unsung Class Of 2022. Now primed for a huge 2022, which will see the release of his much anticipated project, following on from the success of his critically acclaimed EP ‘My Side Of The Bridge’, released March 2021 via the MTGM label.

HEMES

With her newly released debut EP, Hemes's single ‘Matters of the Mind’ has landed her on the BBC Radio Wales ‘Welsh A-list'. Her sound encompasses a smooth blend of catchy pop melodies and RnB influences. Born to Arabic parents, her love for music and songwriting derives from being raised around a mix of western and middle eastern music.

TUMI WILLIAMS

Tumi Williams is the front man for the 9-piece monster funk collective Afro Cluster and have written, recorded and tour managed extensively with the group for over a decade. He has performed alongside artists such as Talib Kweli, Chali 2na and The Pharcyde, and a appeared at numerous high-profile festivals and events including SXSW, Glastonbury, Womad, Greenman, and Boomtown.

HELEDD WATKINS

Heledd studied as a theatre maker before moving on to work as a session bass guitarist, touring with Emmy the Great, Chloe Howl and Paper Aeroplanes. She started writing her own music as the front woman of art-rock band, HMS Morris with highlights including, performing at Glastonbury, releasing two albums and gaining two Welsh Music Prize nominations. She is currently working on HMS Morris's third album is sound designing for a theatre show which will be performed in 2023.

DJ DABES

DJ Dabes specializes in big vibes and party anthems and has worked for BBC Radio Wales, Capital FM, Radio Cardiff, Beacons and the WMC's Radio Plattform. When DJ Dabes is not behind the decks he's teaching, presenting radio, producing online content or writing music.

Listen to Dabes’ Bring The Summer mix on Mixcloud

LILY BEAU

Lily Beau moved to London at the age of 16 and secured work experience at Island UK, Universal Music Publishing and Warner Music Group, which subsequently led to a full-time role at Sony Music Publishing as an A&R. Having recently moved back to Wales, she composed and performed a song at the 2021 re-opening of the Senedd for the Queen. Above all else, Lily is elated to be back in her hometown, writing at her piano and can’t wait to share new music.

National Youth Dance Wales welcomes Lea Anderson and Arielle Smith as choreographers for 2022 season

• Internationally renowned choreographer Lea Anderson, and dance artist and choreographer Arielle Smith, to create two new works for National Youth Dance Wales, working with NYDW for the first time

• National Youth Dance Wales partnering with Ballet Cymru for the 2022 residency, with NYDW performing alongside Ballet Cymru as part of their UK autumn tour 

• Applications are now open for the NYDW 2022 ensemble, open to young dancers aged 16-22 from Wales or based in Wales. 

Lea Anderson, one of the UK’s most pioneering choreographers, is perhaps best-known for co-founding The Cholmondeleys and The Featherstonehaughs, where she choreographed more than 100 works. In 2002, she was awarded an MBE for services to dance. 

On the announcement, Lea Anderson said: "I am so happy to be invited to make new work with National Youth Dance Wales this summer and I am looking forward to getting into the studio at last to collaborate with some wonderful young dancers." 

Also joining the artistic team for 2022 is Arielle Smith, winner of the Emerging Artist category of the National Dance Awards 2021. She has choreographed works with English National Ballet, collaborating with them in 2021 and with singer Anne-Marie to create a new work for the Team GB Olympic homecoming at Wembley.

Arielle Smith said: “I’m thrilled to be working with National Youth Dance Wales. Now more than ever is a time to come together, create, share and enjoy dance and I’m very excited to work with the next generation of talent.”

Anderson and Smith will each create a new work for National Youth Dance Wales, as NYDW come together for their first summer residency since 2019. They will then perform alongside Ballet Cymru, as part of Ballet Cymru’s autumn UK tour. 

Auditioning for NYDW 2022

Each year, National Youth Dance Wales auditions youth dancers from all parts of Wales to join the ensemble. In these friendly and supportive auditions, the young dancers will take part in a full masterclass exploring contemporary dance technique. Those selected will then go on to take part in the summer residency, creating a two new pieces of choreography for performance in the autumn. 

For the first time this year, the summer residency will be accompanied by a series of online masterclasses as part of The Celtic Collective, a partnership between NYDW and National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. This joint project helps us deliver world-class training and masterclasses to young dancers, using Zoom to connect young dance artists together. 

All young dancers aged 16-22, who were born in Wales or currently live in Wales, are eligible to audition. There are free auditions for those who need financial support – on a “no-questions-asked” basis, and bursaries of up to 100% of fees for those from lower-income families. 

Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, said: “We can’t wait to be auditioning once again in all corners of Wales, searching for the next generation of Welsh dance artists. 

“Thanks to the generous support of the Leverhulme Trust, Arts Council of Wales, and our bursary fund supporters, we can offer free auditions and up to 100% bursaries for those who need financial support – so there’s literally nothing to lose by auditioning! 

“In its 22nd year, National Youth Dance Wales is once again able to bring some of the best choreographers to Wales, allowing young dancers to experience and learn from this unique immersive experience. We can’t wait to showcase their work as they perform alongside Ballet Cymru this autumn.” 

For more information about auditioning for National Youth Dance Wales, visit www.nyaw.org.uk/auditions. The deadline for applications is Sunday 20 February, 11.59pm.

First Minister congratulates NYOW on 75th anniversary

First Minister Mark Drakeford has celebrated the importance of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, as part of a special video message recorded for the ensemble’s 75th Anniversary in 2021.

The First Minister noted that the ensemble - which is the world’s oldest national youth orchestra - plays an important part in the rich musical landscape of Wales, by having supported thousands of young musicians and providing opportunity for them to perform to a professional standard.

He also remarked on the significance of the orchestra’s alumni network, with former members having gone on to perform in professional orchestras around the globe, as well as taking up professional roles in all manners of life, such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, business leaders and politicians.

“Whatever their background, the orchestra’s alumni go on to help shape a Wales we are proud to live in.”

— Mark Drakeford

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, National Youth Arts Wales has provided a rich programme of support and development to its ensemble members. The First Minister expressed how important it has been for young musicians to be supported through online masterclasses, digital workshops, and wellbeing sessions through this period.

“As the National Youth Orchestra reintroduces activity in-person, it will continue to inspire young musicians of the future.”

— Mark Drakeford

As part of its anniversary celebrations in 2021, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales have recently recorded a concert featuring 10 brand new commissions of chamber pieces by Welsh composers. All of the individual performances are available to stream on AM and Youtube - watch them here.

“Congratulations once again to everyone at the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, we wish you continued success, and look forward to seeing what the next 75 years will bring.”

— Mark Drakeford

10 new digital commissions help celebrate 75 years of National Youth Orchestra of Wales

• National Youth Orchestra of Wales (NYOW) turns 75 in 2021, making it the world’s oldest national youth orchestra

• 10 new chamber works commissioned by NYOW, from Welsh composers

• Some of NYOW’s most famous alumni have been commissioned, including Sir Karl Jenkins, Hilary Tann and Patrick Rimes

National Youth Orchestra of Wales - the world’s oldest national youth orchestra – will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, with the help of 10 new commissions by Welsh composers.

The 10 new chamber works have been commissioned by National Youth Arts Wales for the Orchestra members, and a few alumni, to perform together in small groups. Each composer was offered any combination of instruments from the Orchestra to write for and the pieces vary in scale, from trios and quartets up to chamber works for 15-20 players. Eight of the new works have already been recorded by members and alumni of NYOW in a recording session at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall, ready for a special online anniversary celebration on Thursday 21 October.

Some of NYOW’s most famous alumni are amongst the composers to have been commissioned, including Hilary Tann, Patrick Rimes, and Sir Karl Jenkins, who began his musical career as an oboist in the orchestra.

“It’s so exciting, I couldn’t wait to be back playing with people that I haven’t played with in such a long time. It’s like nothing ever changed”
Isobel, NYOW member

“To be back with National Youth Orchestra of Wales is such a pleasure, and a relief! It’s been such a long time but we’re so excited to be back.”
Nathan Dearden, Composer and NYAW Alumni

Photo: Jamie Chapman

The commissioned composers and works are:

• Jo Thomas – Seeds (for three clarinets, violin, double bass and percussion)

• Bethan Morgan-Williams – Parodi i Dri (for clarinet, violin, piano)

• Angharad Jenkins and Patrick Rimes – Music for 13 Players (Gobaith & Kost ar C’hoat)

• Lloyd Coleman – Machine (for nine wind players)

• Gareth Olubunmi Hughes – Horizon One (for chamber ensemble)

• Sir Karl Jenkins – Chums! (arranged chamber ensemble for the NYOW’s 75th anniversary)

• Mark Bowden – Wych Elm (two pieces for flute, viola and harp)

• Claire Roberts - Rhywbeth ar y gweill (for piano, percussion and strings)

• Hilary Tann – Penrhys Fanfare (for four trumpets)

Gillian Mitchell, National Youth Arts Wales’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It is so exciting to be able to work with such an illustrious line-up of Welsh composers in this project. National Youth Orchestra of Wales has supported some of Wales’s finest musicians over the decades, and we’re delighted to have an exceptional and varied range of talent on board for this project. Whilst we’re disappointed we’re still unable to bring the full orchestra together for a residency, we’re absolutely thrilled that we are able to meet these chamber groups in person to record a concert that showcases the wonderful orchestral talents we have here in Wales.”

Each piece has been recorded and filmed with appropriate social distancing measures in place, according to public health advice at the time. Along with a range of other online activities, these have replaced the live in-person residency experience, which is still not possible due to ongoing social distancing advice. Throughout the pandemic, NYOW members have benefitted from a host of online masterclasses including from harpist Catrin Finch, violinists Patrick Rimes and Rachel Podger, trumpeter Philip Cobb and clarinettist Robert Plane.

Photo: Jamie Chapman

The world premiere of the 10 pieces will be available to stream online at 7pm on Thursday 21 October, and will be accessible for a limited time thereafter. The concert will be streamed via AM at amam.cymru/nyaw

Each piece will also be available to watch on-demand for a further six months on NYAW’s AM and Youtube channels. Access to the premiere is free-of-charge, with donations welcome to the NYAW bursary fund.

NYOW is operated by National Youth Arts Wales, founded in 2017 to lead the development of Wales’ six prestigious national ensembles, as well as a range of wider projects to provide creative opportunities to young people on the arts.

As a registered charity, National Youth Arts Wales relies on your generous donations to continually ensure that those most deserving can engage with the arts at the highest level, regardless of background or economic means. Find out how you can support us at nyaw.org.uk/support-us