Final call for young musicians to enter contest in Wales
Royal composer, Paul Mealor, believes the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition at the North Wales International Music Festival could be a substantial boost to their budding careers.
The competition, now in its second year, is seeking entries from instrumentalists and singers for the 2025 contest, to be held at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20.
Professor Mealor said: "It's not too late for young musicians to enter the competition – there's still a few weeks left.
"We've already had a load of entries but we want to make sure we reach out to rising stars in every corner of Wales."
Young instrumentalists or vocalists must upload a video or audio clip and complete an application form by the deadline at 5pm on Friday, July 4.
More details on how to enter can be found on the festival's website, nwimf.com.
The competition is being funded by the Pendine Park care organisation through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, which supports community and arts activities.
The winner will receive the silver Pendine Trophy along with a cash prize of £2,000.
The second-place winner will receive £1,000, and two runners-up will each receive £500.
All four finalists' performances will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru.
Professor Mealor said: "It's a very special competition that can launch a career and we're indebted to Pendine Park for sponsoring it."
The judges, who will choose the finalists, are Professor Helena Gaunt, principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; Rebecca Evans CBE, a world-renowned operatic soprano; and Alun Jones, the festival's executive vice-chair and former principal of Chetham's School of Music, Manchester.
While the judges deliberate, last year's winner, harp virtuoso Heledd Wynn Newton from Cardiff, will entertain the audience.
Professor Mealor said: "The people who reach the final will all win a generous cash prize while the winner will be presented with a magnificent silver salver donated by Pendine and be invited to perform next year as well.
"The competition is open to young musicians either born or living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals living abroad.
"Entrants must have been aged under 21 on January 1, 2025, to be eligible.
"If you're under 18 you will need the permission of your teacher or parent to enter."
Mario Kreft, organiser of the competition, said: "After the success of the inaugural competition last year, we're really excited about the prospects for the 2025 contest.
"Our aim is to encourage and foster young, emerging talent and the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition has all the makings of a very prestigious event.
"We recognise how important the arts are to our lives in all its forms.
"Music matters just as much to people who live and work in social care as it does to young and old in wider society."
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