News & Events

New choir's debut with royal composer

A new community choir from a housing estate in North Wales is preparing for its debut at a top international music festival - conducted by a royal composer.

The choir from the Peulwys estate, above Old Colwyn, will be performing at the North Wales International Music Festival, in St Asaph Cathedral.

They will be under the baton of the chart-topping Dr Paul Mealor who was propelled to global fame thanks to the sensational Royal wedding anthem he wrote for Prince William and Kate Middleton.

He also wrote the music for the Military Wives' Christmas Number One and the title song for the follow-up album, In Your Dreams, which knocked rocker Bruce Springsteen off top spot. More...

Royal congratulations for music festival

A top music festival was congratulated by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on reaching its 40th anniversary.

Representatives of the North Wales International Music Festival met the royal couple when they came to St Asaph Cathedral. They were there to celebrate the granting of city status to St Asaph to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The cathedral was chosen as the venue for the Festival by its founder, the royal composer, William Matthias. According to Professor Matthias, one of his greatest achievements was the creation of the hugely popular music festival in 1972. Appropriately, this year's festival - from September 22 to September 29 - will see the world premiere of a new work by the internationally acclaimed composer, Dr Karl Jenkins. It will be played by the Prince's personal harpist, Hannah Stone. More...

Red hot quartet head for festival

Classical music is not meant to be about flamboyance and theatre nor is it usually visually exciting - but don’t tell that to Red Priest.

Expect the unexpected from the Baroque quartet when the four irreverent but talented musicians perform at the North Wales International Music Festival, at St Asaph Cathedral, from September 22 to September 29.

Comprising recorder player Piers Adams, his wife, baroque violin specialist, Julia Bishop, cellist Angela East and harpsichordist David Wright, Red Priest pack their performances with energy, theatre and visually stunning effects. More...

Welcome

Founded by William Mathias in 1972, the North Wales International Music Festival aims to bring the finest international classical artists to North Wales.

After scouring the whole of North Wales for a venue worthy of hosting the classical music greats, Mathias chose St Asaph Cathedral for its outstanding acoustic. Classical musicians and audiences alike have been wowed by the quality of this acoustic for the last thirty nine years and counting.

There have been many artists who have played regularly as part of the Festival; the BBC National Orchestra of Wales played at the first Festival in 1972, and it has now become Festival tradition to close with this magnificent orchestra.

The North Wales International Music Festival is a week of magical music, offering something for all the family.

Royal harpist
to play at premiere

The premiere of a new work by the internationally acclaimed composer Karl Jenkins will take place in North Wales.

The coup was revealed at a special event to unveil the line up at this year's North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph Cathedral from September 22 to September 29.

The work was commissioned by the festival to celebrate their 40th anniversary and the granting of city status to St Asaph by the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee year.

It will be played by royal harpist Hannah Stone who was the star attraction at the launch event held in the aristocratic surroundings of Eaton Park, near Chester, by kind permission of the Duke of Westminster. More...

40th Anniversary

This year's 40th Anniversary North Wales International Music Festival will be held between 22nd and 29th September 2012.