Western Mail
"When I was in the choir I got the chance to sing with
Bryn Terfel and it's something I'll never forget"
Katherine Jenkins, soprano
Conductor 2012: Ralph Allwood
The National Youth Choir of Wales was formed by T ŷ Cerdd - Music Centre Wales (as Welsh Amateur Music Federation) in 1984, to support both the long-standing choral tradition of Wales and the development needed for that tradition to flourish. Members of the Choir, who are aged between 16 and 21 years, are drawn from all parts of Wales, and auditioned annually. They meet for occasional weekend courses, but the Choir’s main work is concentrated in a week of intensive rehearsals in the summer, followed by a series of concerts.
The majority of tutors and staff are drawn from former members of the Choir - the Choir’s President, Bryn Terfel, was himself a founder member – and musical directors are appointed for a three-year period. Former conductors include George Guest, Gregory Rose, John Hugh Thomas, Simon Halsey, Ralph Allwood, Jean Stanley Jones, David Rowland and Islwyn Evans. The NYCW has given concerts in London, Berlin, Leipzig, Bruges, Brussels, Paris, Vienna and Budapest, in addition to performing throughout Wales, at many of the major cathedrals in England and at the BBC Proms. It broadcasts regularly on television and radio.
Entry Requirements
- Candidates are accepted for audition on the approval of their county Head of Music Service (or his/her authorised representative or equivalent) and are expected to support music activity at school/college and county level. Where county activity does not exist, the Head of Department in school or college may initially support applications.
- Candidates should normally be of around Grade VIII standard though they do not need to have to have taken the exam.
- Candidates should be between 16 and 21 years old on 31st August 2012 (or 22 if still in full-time education).
- Choristers must be available for all course and concert dates. Please check your availability before applying.
2012 Summer Residency & Concert Tour
In 2012 the Choir will hold workshops in March and May and a residential course at Malvern College in late July. During this 7 day residency, choristers will work in full and sectional rehearsals under the direction of our team of specialist tutors led by Music Director, Ralph Allwood, preparing a mixed programme for performances in Monmouth and Llandaff Cathedral. The highlight of the Choir's 2012 diary will be a performance of Leonard Bernstein's Mass at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC National Chorus of Wales and members of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.
Conductor: Ralph Allwood
Workshops:
10 March, Llandrindod Wells
5 May, Llandrindod Wells
Residency: 22 - 28 July 2012 Malvern College, Great Malvern
Concerts:
27 July, Monmouth Priory Church
28 July, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff
BBC Prom:
Dates: 04 - 06 August
Concert: 6th August, Royal Albert Hall, London
Contact
Matthew Thistlewood at Ty Cerdd 029 2063 5650 nycw@tycerdd.info
For more information about NYCW 2012 and application forms click here
Related Links
National Youth Training Choir of Wales
Diary of Performances