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Last call for Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition
Entries are now open for the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, taking place during the 2025 North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20.
The competition is open to instrumentalists and singers aged under 21 as of January 1 this year, who are either born or living in Wales, or Welsh nationals living abroad.
Professor Paul Mealor, royal composer and co-founder of the competition, 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.
"If there's any young instrumentalists or vocalists who want to have a chance to win thousands of pounds in prize money and to perform live on BBC Radio Cymru, they need to get their skates on.
"It's a very special competition that can launch a career and we're indebted to Pendine Park for sponsoring it."
The competition is funded by the festival's headline sponsor, Pendine Park, through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust.
The winner will receive the silver Pendine Trophy and a £2,000 cash prize.
The runner-up will receive £1,000, and two other finalists will each receive £500.
All four finalists will perform live on BBC Radio Cymru.
The judging panel includes Professor Helena Gaunt, principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; internationally acclaimed soprano Rebecca Evans CBE; and Alun Jones, the festival's executive vice-chair and former principal of Chetham's School of Music.
Last year's winner, Cardiff harpist Heledd Wynn Newton, will perform during the judges' deliberations.
Mario Kreft MBE, co-founder of the competition alongside Professor Mealor, 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.
"I think in years to come it will be one of the premier competitions for young musicians and will hopefully assist them and propel them in their careers.
"From our perspective it totally fits in with our ethos as an inclusive, inter-generational care group.
"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 the wider society."
To enter, applicants must upload a video or audio performance and complete an application form by the deadline of 5pm on Friday, July 4.
If under 18, entrants must have permission from a parent or teacher.
Submissions will be judged anonymously, and selected candidates will be invited to perform a 10-minute programme in the semi-final.
Four will advance to the final round.
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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."
More information and entry forms are available on the festival website at
Tickets for the North Wales International Music Festival 2025 will go on sale from Thursday, June 12.
