National Youth
Brass Band
of Wales
Your stage awaits!
Registrations for National Youth Brass Band of Wales 2025 auditions are NOW OPEN!
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming back renowned conductor, Philip Harper, to conduct the NYBBW in 2026. Philip last worked with the Band in 2022 having developed a strong bond with the ensemble and its members over a number of years despite a brief hiatus due to COVID. During his time with the Band he brought out the best in its musicians with a varied programme of music that was set to challenge and inspire and we can’t wait for him to bring that same energy next year.”
A note from NYBBW Producer
Matthew Jones
National Youth Brass Band of Wales Producer
2026 Programme
Conductor: Philip Harper
Philip Harper became Musical Director of the Cory Band in 2012. Since then he has won all the major trophies many times, including an unprecedented Grand Slam of major titles in 2016: the European, the British Open, the Nationals and Brass in Concert, all won in a single calendar year, and then repeated in 2019.
Paul’s passion for conducting was influenced by James Watson during his time at Black Dyke. After graduating, he became Musical Director of Newbridge Band, leading them to unprecedented success. Currently, Paul is the full-time Musical Director of the Flowers Band, achieving record-breaking results at major UK competitions, including the National Championships of Great Britain and the British Open.
Repertoire: Next year’s repertoire is still TBC, but rest assured it will contain the usual combination of brass band standards, demanding test pieces and concert favourites!
How to apply…
Apply by:
12 October 2025
Auditions:
16 November 2025 - 7 December 2025
Video deadline: 30th November
Results:
*15 December 2024
Auditions:
16th November – North Wales
23rd November – Carmarthen
6th December – Cardiff
7th December – Cardiff
Rehearsals:
Meet the Nationals: Thursday 26th February (Online)
Monday 30th & Tuesday 31st March (Cardiff TBC)
Saturday 15th August – Sunday 23rd August (Bangor TBC)
Performances:
Concerts will be held on 21st, 22nd and 23rd August. Venues are TBC
*Week commencing.
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Cost: £770
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.
However, we aim to make sure that money is never a barrier to participation in any of our ensembles or projects. We understand that for some applicants any contribution may be out of reach, which is why we run a generous bursary scheme that supports where support is needed.
We consider each applicant’s household’s income, with the aim to offer help with some or all of the contribution. We also offer an instalment payment plan.
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 £125,000, you could be eligible for financial support.
Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information.
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Applicants should normally be of grade 8 standard although you do not have to have taken a grade 8 exam at time of audition. You should be aged between 16 and 22, on 31 August 2026. (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.