World's First Youth Orchestra Achieve BBC Proms First

LONDON, August 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Last night the first national youth orchestra in the world, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, made its debut at the BBC Proms 66 years after the Orchestra's formation in 1945.  Wales' young musicians performed Bernstein's Mass on Monday 6^th August at the Royal Albert Hall as they teamed up with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in a performance that also featured young singers from the National Youth Choir of Wales and members of the BBC National Chorus of Wales.

The National Youth Orchestra of Wales was founded in 1945 and gave its inaugural concert in 1946. Supported by the Cardiff based exam board for England and Wales, WJEC, the NYOW combines traditional expectations with a contemporary outlook and gives concerts that are renowned for their energy and passion.

Playing in London's Albert Hall is a highlight of the young players' summer as they were led by the internationally-celebrated Conductor, Kristjan Järvi. In another Proms first, their performance of Bernstein's Mass was the first time it has been performed at the world famous music festival.

Speaking ahead of last night's concert the Manager of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Matthew Jones, said:

"We have been collaborating with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales since 2000, and on every occasion it is thoroughly enjoyable. However I am really excited about this project.  It is not only a fantastic opportunity for our members to work with the wonderful professional musicians of the orchestra, but it is also the first opportunity in our 66 year history to have a presence at the BBC Proms."

Notes to Editors

The Prom is part of an annual collaboration between NYOW and BBC NOW, which is now in its eleventh year.

Contributors to Bernstein's Mass:-

BBC NOW and Chorus; National Youth Orchestra of Wales; National Youth Choir of Wales; Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pwll Coch, Caerdydd; Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg, Llantrisant; Ysgol Gynradd Dolau, Llanharan; Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Rhydaman; Aelwyd y waun Ddyfal; singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

WJEC supports the National Youth Orchestra of Wales through National Youth Arts Wales, with financial assistance from the 22 Unitary Authorities of Wales and the Arts Council of Wales.

National Youth Arts Wales offers young people from Wales a range of opportunities across the performing arts disciplines of dance, music and theatre.

NYOW auditions are held annually throughout Wales to select young people up to and including the age of 21 to participate in intensive residencies culminating in public performances in some the foremost venues in Wales and beyond.

Previous highlights include a performance in the House of Commons, a concert at the home of Lady Walton, widow of Sir William Walton, on the Mediterranean island of Ischia, featured Orchestra at the Young Euro Classics Festival in Berlin; more-recently, the Orchestra performed a sell-out series of concerts in July 2012 with world-renowned Conductor, Carlo Rizzi.

WJEC manages and administers three strands of the National Youth Arts Wales portfolio:

• National Youth Orchestra of Wales
• National Youth Theatre of Wales
• National Youth Dance Wales

Other elements are managed by Tŷ Cerdd - the National Youth Brass Band, National Youth Choirs, National Youth Jazz and National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales.

SOURCE WJEC