National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW), under the leadership of recently appointed Chief Executive, Gillian Mitchell, is presenting eight concerts around Wales between 27 July and 5 August – all of which are showcasing Wales’ young music talent.
Formed just twelve months ago, NYAW manages all six national youth ensembles including the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales, National Youth Dance Wales, National Youth Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Theatre of Wales and National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales.
The eight concerts involve the Brass Band, Choir and Orchestra and members, who are all aged 13 -21, must commit to an intensive rehearsal period led by a leading musician in their field.
Philip Harper of the world-famous Cory Brass Band will for the second time conduct the Brass Band; world renowned conductor Carlo Rizzi returns to lead the Orchestra; and choral guru Tim Rhys Evans will conduct the Choir ensemble.
NYAW Chief Executive Gillian Mitchell said:
[aoa id=”1″]“National Youth Arts Wales works on a year-round basis giving young people the opportunity to develop their training and improve their practice by providing them with unique access to some of the world’s best practitioners across music, theatre and dance. Our intensive residency programmes offer inspirational experiences for all our participants and are designed to showcase the talents of young people in Wales on a national platform for audiences across Wales and beyond.”[/aoa]
Members of the national ensembles are drawn from across Wales. Ffion Morris (20) from Port Talbot is one of cornet players from the Brass ensemble. She said:
“I’m really looking forward to a great course of meeting and socialising with new people but also being led by the conductor of the No.1 brass band in the World, Philip Harper.”
The long established national ensembles are the training ground for Wales’ future stars across all fields. Alumni include David Childs, Gareth Small, Owen Farr, Karl Jenkins, Grant Llewellyn,
Roger Lewis, Bethan Jenkins AM, Katherine Jenkins, Bryn Terfel, and NYCW 2018 Conductor,
Tim Rhys Evans.
Audiences will witness today’s leading musicians performing an exceptional programme of work at the following concerts, tickets for which are available via nyaw.org.uk:
National Youth Brass Band of Wales
[aoa id=”1″]
St David’s Church, Neath
Fri 27 July, 7.30pm
Conductor Philip Harper (Cory Band)
Soloist Daniel Thomas (Euphonium – and Brass ensemble alumnus)
Includes official premiere of Legacy by Tom Davoren (commissioned by Tŷ Cerdd and Tredegar Town Band to commemorate Aneurin Bevan’s Legacy to the NHS)
[/aoa]
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Sun 29 July, 4pm
Conductor Philip Harper (Cory Band)
Soloist Daniel Thomas (Euphonium – and Brass ensemble alumnus)
Theatr Hafren, Newtown
Sat 28 July, 7.30pm
Conductor Philip Harper (Cory Band)
Soloist Daniel Thomas (Euphonium – and Brass ensemble alumnus)
National Youth Choir of Wales and National Youth Orchestra of Wales
(The first collaborations between the ensembles in their combined history)
Hereford Cathedral
Thu 2 Aug, 2.30pm
Conductor Carlo Rizzi
Fishguard International Festival
Fri 3 Aug, 7.30pm
Conductor Carlo Rizzi
St David’s Hall
Sun 5 Aug, 4pm
Conductor Carlo Rizzi
National Youth Choir of Wales
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Thu 2 Aug, 8pm
Conductor Tim Rhys Evans
Fishguard International Festival
Fri 3 Aug, 1pm
Conductor Tim Rhys Evans
