Latest news with #PendineYoungMusicianofWales
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Opera star to perform at North Wales International Festival
Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, described as "probably the world's greatest tenor," will perform at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, September 11. Mr Calleja, whose voice has drawn comparisons to the late Luciano Pavarotti, is a regular at the world's top opera houses, including the New York Met, La Scala in Milan, and Covent Garden in London. Paul Mealor, the festival's artistic director, said: "I would say that Joseph Calleja is probably the world's greatest tenor – he has done everything. "Joseph has performed in all the top venues and all the major opera houses, from the Met in New York and La Scala in Milan – and he is just getting better and better. "To bring him to St Asaph for the very first time is amazing for us. "It's simply the highlight of the festival." Mr Calleja's appearance was secured thanks to his friendship with Mario and Gill Kreft, owners of the Pendine Park care organisation and headline sponsors of the festival. The couple are long-time supporters of the event through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, which funds cultural and community activities across Wales. Joseph Calleja said: "I have very many fond memories of Wales, including Llangollen with Bryn a few years ago. "He is Wales's greatest son and I love him a lot. "I can't wait to come back frankly because I am also good friends with Mario and Gill and I know it is a special year for them because Pendine is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. "At the concert I'll be singing some popular songs, so it'll be an easy going night. "We're not going to go too serious but it's serious enough that opera lovers will enjoy." Mario Kreft said: "Joseph is a generational operatic talent who is right at the top of his game, as is our own homegrown hero, Sir Bryn Terfel. "The acoustic at the cathedral is among the best in the world so it will provide a perfect backdrop to hear Joseph's magnificent tenor voice at its very best." Other headliners at this year's festival include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, choral group Apollo5, and the Black Dyke Band. Film and TV composer Debbie Wiseman OBE will also make her festival debut, with the NEW Sinfonia orchestra performing a selection of her well-known theme tunes. The festival will also feature the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust. More information and tickets are available online.
North Wales Live
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
'Music legend's' joy over MBE after fears of 'speeding fine' subside
A 'music legend' from North Wales thought she'd been copped for speeding when she opened an official looking letter. But the news was far better than she feared. Ann Atkinson, the former artistic director of the North Wales International Music Festival, discovered that she had been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. Ann said she was deeply touched to learn that she'd been nominated for the honour. She had served the festival with distinction for two decades before stepping down two years ago. In her new honorary role as a vice-president, she's looking forward to this year's event at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now But the arrival of the letter to inform her about the MBE prompted a feeling of momentary dread. She said: 'I saw this official looking letter and I thought I'd had a speeding fine or that I was being called to do jury service. 'When I opened it I was stuck on the first paragraph, I couldn't read any more. I couldn't believe it. I'm still pinching myself. It was a lovely surprise and a very great honour. 'When I became artistic director, the festival was facing many challenges and I believe we met all those challenges and left the festival on a more secure footing for the future. 'One of the things I am proudest of was developing the educational element of the festival, giving children a stake and being part of it. They are the performers and the audience of the future. 'They won't forget the experience of playing on the festival stage with professional musicians or coming to the festival to work on different projects. Among the biggest highlights for me was the 50 th anniversary of the festival which was a major milestone. 'But after two decades, I felt that the time was right for me to step down and give an opportunity for new blood and fresh ideas. The fact that it was the festival that nominated me for this honour means a great deal. I am very grateful to them." Her successor, royal composer Paul Mealor. Ann said: 'I became a vice-president of the festival last year which means that I can continue to be involved. Paul was an inspired choice as the new artistic director and he's doing a fantastic job and putting his own stamp on the festival. "He's ringing the changes but staying true to the core values of the festival.' Headliners this year include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, world class choral group Apollo5 and the renowned Black Dyke Band. Making her festival debut this year will be the acclaimed film and TV composer, Debbie Wiseman OBE. Her theme tunes for Wolf Hall, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Judge John Deed and many others will be played by the NEW Sinfonia orchestra. Another highlight this year will be the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition that was launched last year and is being funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust set up by the festival's headline sponsors, the Pendine Park care organisation. The final concert will feature the North Wales Choral Union and Orchestra under the baton of conductor Trystan Lewis. Also returning will be the festival fringe which Paul Mealor introduced as a new element last year to create closer links with the local community in St Asaph. The fringe events will include a cabaret and American song night, stand-up comedy, and a poetry night led by one of Wales's greatest poets, Mererid Hopwood, the current Archdruid of Wales. Paul Mealor paid tribute to Ann's 'immense contribution'. He said: 'Ann is a friendly force of nature and a legend of music and the arts in Wales. "We are indebted to her for turning the festival into an event that has established itself as a highlight of the UK's cultural calendar. I will be forever grateful to Ann for the help and wise advice she has given to me after taking the helm, making the transition as smooth as possible. 'We are delighted her achievements have been recognised with the MBE - it is richly deserved'. It's the latest in a long line of accolades for Ann, who lives near Corwen, and has variously been described as a 'force of nature' and a 'legend of the classical music scene' in North Wales. A celebrated mezzo soprano in her own right, Ann has sung with many of Britain's leading opera companies, including Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Wexford Festival Opera. From 2002 to 2009 Ann was also Musical Director of the Fron Male Choir who found fame and became known as the "Oldest Boy Band in the World" releasing several albums which topped the classical charts for a record 16 weeks. Ann was honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at the 2009 National Eisteddfod in Bala and a year later was made an Honorary Fellow at Glyndŵr University. In 2011 she received the Welsh Livery Guild's Merit Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements to the world of music in Wales and beyond. She was once again recognized for her contribution to Welsh Music in 2019 when she received the prestigious Sir Geraint Evans Award from the Welsh Music Guild in Cardiff. Three years ago Ann received an honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of her contribution to music. Ann is still busy as the musical director of two male voice choirs, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd and Côr Meibion Bro Glyndwr and is a singing tutor to a host of young, up and coming soloists.
Rhyl Journal
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
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." 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 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. 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." 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. More information and entry forms are available on the festival website at Tickets for the North Wales International Music Festival 2025 went on sale today Thursday, June 12.
Business News Wales
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Care Group Up for Major Award as it Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A care group that championed a music festival and the premiere of an opera about the Gresford Colliery Disaster is in the running for a major award. Pendine Park, which has nine care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, has been named as a finalist at the annual Arts and Business Cymru Awards because of its support for the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph. The care organisation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is on the shortlist in the Arts, Business and the Community category. As well as being the headline sponsor of the festival, last year Pendine also supported the first performance of the new opera, Gresford – Up From Underground, marking the 90th anniversary of the tragedy. The moving opera tells the story of how 266 men and boys were killed when a massive underground explosion and fire ripped through the pit near Wrexham on September 22, 1934. The 2024 festival also saw the launch of the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, sponsored by the arts loving care organisation via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT). The contest was so successful that it is being brought back at this year's festival which runs from September 11-20. A call has already gone out for talented young musicians to enter for the chance to lift the silver Pendine Trophy along with a cash prize of £2,000. Royal composer Professor Paul Mealor, the festival's Artistic Director, said the commitment of Pendine was proof of how communities can be enriched when businesses and the arts work closely together. He said he was overjoyed to discover that the long-standing collaboration between NWIMF and Pendine Park since 2011 had been recognised by the Arts and Business Cymru charity. PACT was established by Pendine Park owners Mario and Gill Kreft to support cultural events across the region. In 2022 it increased its support to become the headline sponsor of the 50th anniversary festival. The extra sponsorship helped NWIMF to achieve its main objectives of artistic excellence, cultural equality and audience development, and arts, education and creative learning provision. When drawing up the shortlist the judges were also bowled over by the way Pendine Park's Wrexham care home residents created a luminous array of artistic lanterns which adorned the aisles of St Asaph Cathedral where the debut of the opera proved an outstanding highlight of last year's festival. NWIMF launched more than half a century ago and has grown to achieve worldwide acclaim, not least for the quality of the acoustics at St Asaph Cathedral where most of its programme is staged. In 2022 it celebrated its 50th anniversary and during the COVID pandemic when it was streamed online it accrued new fans in all corners of the globe. Prof Mealor said the contribution of its sponsors like Pendine Park had enabled the festival not just to survive but to thrive. He said: 'We're so thrilled at the North Wales International Music Festival that along with our lead sponsors and dear friends Mario and Gill Kreft of Pendine we have been shortlisted for an Arts and Business Cymru award. This is a testament to how arts and business can work together to enrich the community. Thank you so much Mario and Gill.' Pendine Park Consultant Artist in Residence Sarah Edwards created and oversaw the lanterns project along with many other successful arts-themed community collaborations. She said: 'Being recognised in this way is such a boost, not just to our staff including all the enrichment team members, but to the residents who put in so much hard work to produce some remarkable art pieces year after year. 'They deliver such a high level of creativity every time they are called on to contribute to events like the NWMIF and they should all be very proud of themselves.' Sarah said: 'Arts and music are at the very heart of our well-being programmes here at Pendine. 'Collaborations like those we have built with NWMIF are invaluable to continuing that and they make such a difference to the lives of our residents, their sense of self-esteem and of feeling included in local community events.' Pendine Park owner and director Mario Kreft was delighted that Pendine Park had once again found itself on such a prestigious awards shortlist. He said: 'We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award. Our connection with NWIMF has evolved and grown over the years. 'The premiere of the opera was particularly poignant for all of us at Pendine because we had the very great privilege of caring for Albert Rowlands, the last survivor of the Gresford disaster, who celebrated his 100th birthday with us before he passed away in 2020. 'Social care and the arts go hand in hand in enriching lives across the generations and promoting well-being. 'We are passionate about using the arts, whether visual or musical, to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike. 'That's why we set up the Pendine Arts and Community Trust to support cultural pursuits and community activities so we can spread the message about the value of the arts.' 'It's fair to say the arts provide a golden thread running through everything we do and the fantastic North Wales International Music Festival chimes perfectly with our ethos.'
Western Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Final call for entries to Pendine Young Musician of Wales
Royal composer Paul Mealor has extended a final call for entries to the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition. Open to instrumentalists and singers, the competition will be held during the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral, from September 11 to 20. Mr Mealor emphasised the potential impact on participants' careers, saying: "It's a very special competition that can launch a career and we're indebted to Pendine Park for sponsoring it." The competition, funded by the Pendine Park care organisation, offers a generous prize pool for the top four finalists. The overall winner will receive the silver Pendine Trophy and £2,000 in cash. The second prize winner will secure £1,000, and two runners-up will be awarded £500 each. The performances of all four finalists will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru. A panel of judges, including 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, will select the winners. While the judges deliberate, last year's winner, Cardiff-based harpist Heledd Wynn Newton, will entertain the audience. The competition is open to all young musicians, either born or residing in Wales, or Welsh nationals living abroad, who were under 21 on January 1, 2025. Applicants under 18 will need the permission of their teacher or parent to enter. Mr Mealor added: "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." Entrants must upload their performance via a link on the festival's website to be judged anonymously. Selected participants will advance to the semi-final to perform a 10-minute programme, with four finalists competing the following night. Festival founder Mario Kreft said: "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." He added: "Like Paul, I would urge young musicians right across Wales to submit their entries now. "We can't wait to hear them perform, and to follow their futures in the world of music." The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, July 4. Entry forms can be downloaded from the festival's website.
