This summer, National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) brought together the most talented young musicians from throughout Wales for a series of intensive musical residencies and concerts. Featuring our famous national youth ensembles – Brass Band, Choir, and Orchestra – it was a season of passion, creativity and unforgettable performances.
231 young musicians, representing every corner of Wales, took part. Together, they performed ten concerts in some of Wales’s most iconic venues: in St Davids (in partnership with Fishguard Festival), Bangor, St Asaph, Cardiff and Swansea. Each performance was both breathtaking and groundbreaking, with the energy and enthusiasm of the young musicians felt by everyone in the audience.
One highlight was NYAW’s first-ever relaxed concert at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff. This innovative event made live music accessible for everyone, welcoming people of all abilities to experience the joy of a live orchestra performance. Many of those attending had never been to a classical music concert before.
Guided by the expertise of world-class conductors Erik Janssen, Tim Rhys-Evans and Tianyi Lu, accompanied by their respective creative teams, each ensemble reached new heights of excellence. Their passion and leadership inspired the young musicians to give their best, creating performances that were not only technically impressive but also deeply moving.
Matthew Jones, National Youth Arts Wales Senior Producer said: “As always, it was an absolute privilege and pleasure to work with the extremely talented members of the NYAW Music Ensembles. There were so many highlights, including wonderful concerts in the beautiful St David’s Cathedral as part of the Fishguard Festival; a fabulous 40th Anniversary concert with the Choir at the Brangwyn Hall; and a first relaxed concert for the Orchestra. It is always a huge team effort to make these residencies and concert tours the success they are, so thank you to the whole NYAW staff team, the tutor, welfare, and stage management teams, our wonderful conductors, and of course the young people themselves! I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings – so get applying!”
With the 2024 season now behind us, the excitement is already building for what’s to come in 2025. NYAW continues to nurture and inspire the next generation of Welsh musicians, and with so much talent already shining, the future looks brighter than ever.
If you’re a young musician looking to be part of this incredible experience, now is the perfect time to apply for the 2025 NYAW music ensembles. Don’t miss your chance to work with world-renowned conductors, perform in amazing venues, and join a community of talented young musicians.
Evan Dawson, National Youth Arts Wales CEO said: “This summer, we have once again witnessed Wales’s extraordinary ability to produce world-class young musicians. What makes these ensembles so special is that, in addition to virtuosic playing, the young musicians form such a supportive community to help bring out the best in each other. It is humbling and inspiring. As we look to the future, it is vital that we continue to champion the importance of music for all young people, building on the excellent work being done in schools and communities throughout Wales, in very difficult circumstances. Please help us spread the word about our next round of auditions, and if there is anything you can do to support our work financially, we will ensure it is used to support the arts for young people throughout Wales”.
Are you the future of music in Wales? Apply to audition today for your chance to be a part of NYAW’s unforgettable journey in 2025. The stage is yours!