A FESTIVAL in St Asaph has launched a search to find the most talented young musician in Wales.

Entries are being sought for the competition at the North Wales International Music Festival that’s being held at St Asaph Cathedral from September 12-21.

They will be vying to be crowned the first Pendine Young Musician of Wales, with the competition being funded by the festival’s headline sponsors, the Pendine Park care organisation via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which supports community and arts activities.

The performances will be broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru and the winner will receive a cash prize of £2,000 and the Pendine Trophy, as well as being invited back to perform at next year’s festival.

The competition is being masterminded by the event’s new artistic director, royal composer Paul Mealor, a native of Connah’s Quay, who wrote the Kyrie sung by Sir Bryn Terfel at the King’s Coronation.

Taking the helm of the festival was, he said, a dream come true as it was founded by his mentor and musical hero, Professor William Mathias, another royal composer who wrote the anthem, Let the people praise Thee, O God, for the 1981 royal wedding of the then Prince and Princess of Wales.

Entries for the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition are now being accepted via the festival’s website, www.nwimf.com, and the closing date for applications is 5pm on August 31.

It’s open to all musicians who were born or who are living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals studying abroad.

All musicians must be have been younger than 21 on January 1, 2024 to be eligible to compete, but there is no minimum age for entry.

Prof Mealor said: "The Pendine Young Musician of Wales Competition is a unique opportunity for young musicians born or living in Wales to showcase their talents at the North Wales International Music Festival.

“It will be judged by world renowned judges, and the competitors will receive expert feedback on their performances and perform in one of the greatest acoustics in Wales, St Asaph Cathedral, as well as the competition being broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru."

Competitors will have to navigate three rounds with the judges, led by Lisa Tregale, director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, selecting performers from the Round 1 online applications to go through to the second round.

Prof Mealor added: "The live competition at St Asaph Cathedral is divided into two rounds.

“Round Two is the preliminary competition divided into four instrumental or vocal sections – woodwind and brass, strings, which includes guitar and harp, keyboard and percussion, and voice.

“The vocal section encompasses classical and folk music.

"Two finalists from each instrumental or vocal section from Round Two will be selected to compete in Round Three, the grand final at St Asaph Cathedral on September 18 at 7pm."

Prof Mealor has already secured a host of major names to take part in this year’s line-up at the festival.

Among them are the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the King's Singers, described by Paul Mealor as the "world's finest vocal ensemble”.

Also due to headline the event are brass band, Foden's Band and Ar Log.

A new development will be the launch of the festival fringe which will see R&B, Welsh folk, poetry and comedy concerts being added to the main programme and taking place at other venues in St Asaph.