Following a successful summer of concerts and courses, our partner and recipient of NMS funding – National Youth Arts Wales – are once again encouraging young talented musicians to apply for a place in next year’s ensembles.
During July and August 2025, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales and National Youth Brass Band of Wales each showcased their talents in concerts across Wales, which was a culmination of a year’s hard work by the young musicians and their tutors.
Now, young musicians from all 22 local authority areas across Wales are being invited to apply to join these ensembles in 2026. As it happens, 2026 is also a very significant year for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales as they celebrate their 80th birthday. Details of the choir’s concerts, and those of the other ensembles, will be also be released in 2026.
National Youth Orchestra Wales – Concert Tour 2025
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales undertook a residency in University of South Wales, Lampeter, where over 100 young musicians from across Wales working extremely hard to rehearse an energetic all-American concert programme before hitting the road for five concerts.
Led by internationally acclaimed conductor Kwamé Ryan, the concert tour began at the Arts Hall, USW, in Lampeter, before they travel to the iconic St Davids Cathedral the following day for a performance at Fishguard Festival of Music.
Three other concerts followed, at Three Choirs Festival at Hereford Cathedral, then Denbighshire’s gothic St Asaph Cathedral, before a finale concert at the prestigious Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
National Youth Choir of Wales – Concert Tour 2025
The Choir’s members, largely aged between 16 and 22 years, are drawn from all parts of Wales and auditioned annually. Under the inspiring direction of their conductor Tim Rhys-Evans, this extraordinary choir of young Welsh talent delivered concerts at St Asaph’s Cathedral, Denbighshire, St Fagan’s National Museum of History in Cardiff, and Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
National Youth Brass Band of Wales – Concert Tour 2025
NYBBW Alumnus and Musical Director of the 2024 Championship Brass Band Flowers, Paul Holland, returned to conduct his former Band. The brilliant young percussionist Jordan Ashman – winner of the 2022 BBC Young Musician of the Year – joined the band when they performed at William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and The Riverfront in Newport.
2026 AUDITIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Auditions for National Youth Brass Band, Choir and Orchestra of Wales 2026 are now open! Book your audition now by clicking here. Closing date for applications is 12 October 2025.
