Young musicians from schools across South Wales have taken centre stage in a spectacular performance at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
A Landmark Performance
220 young performers representing the South-East Wales Youth Orchestra and Choir participated in the Music for Youth Proms, brought together by Cardiff and Vale Music Education. The remarkable ensemble included 92 pupils from across the two local authorities, forming part of a wider group comprising students from ten local authorities: Cardiff, Vale, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Merthyr, RCT, and Bridgend.
World Premiere and Major Collaborations
Their performance featured four new commissions, including two BBC Ten Pieces compositions that united 1,500 musicians in a breathtaking finale. The event showcased the world premiere of Causeway, a major new work by Scottish composer Aileen Sweeney with lyrics by Iona Lee, which explored how music connects people across cultures and generations.
The piece represented an extraordinary collaboration, bringing together a massed children's choir, full orchestra, and Irish dancers. This initiative was commissioned in partnership with BBC Ten Pieces, ABRSM, and the Royal Albert Hall, serving as a flagship for the National Plan for Music Education.
Building Future Opportunities
Beyond the immediate excitement of performing at the iconic venue, the project aims to foster ongoing opportunities for young people across South Wales, united by their passion for music. Cardiff's deputy leader and cabinet member for education, Councillor Sarah Merry, emphasised: "Music education is not just about learning notes and rhythms, it's about building confidence, creativity, and community."
She added: "When young people come together to perform, they discover their own voices and learn the value of collaboration. Events like this show how music can inspire, connect, and empower the next generation."
Schools involved from Cardiff Council included The Bishop of Llandaff, Cardiff High School, Fitzalan High School, Llanishen High School, Radyr Comprehensive, Whitchurch High School, Ysgol Bro Edern, and Ysgol Gymraeg Glantaf. Vale of Glamorgan participants came from Cowbridge Comprehensive, Stanwell, St Cyres, Whitmore High and Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, while independent schools included The Cathedral School, Howell's, King's Monkton and St John's College.
