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RWCMD’s Big Strings Weekend: Jacob Shaw, Roberts Balanas and Bohemian Rhapsody - inspiring the next generation of string players
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is celebrating the first year of its pioneering strings residency with a weekend festival designed to celebrate the world of string playing – breaking down barriers, nurturing new talent, and making music more accessible for young people across Wales.
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, 17–19 October 2025
The Big Strings Weekend brings together performances from internationally renowned artists such as Jacob Shaw and Roberts Balanas, with free, hands-on opportunities for the next generation of musicians. The event is at the heart of the College’s mission to widen participation in the arts and ensure that young people, regardless of background, can experience the joy of playing string instruments, combining world-class performance with inclusion, and showcasing how music can inspire and include the widest possible audience.
Visitors can expect everything from classical masterworks to contemporary music, with folk traditions, jazz collaborations, and the RWCMD International Chair of Cello, renowned cellist Jacob Shaw, working with the College string students. There’s even a brand-new arrangement of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, specially created and performed by viral violinist Roberts Balanas to celebrate the iconic song’s 50th anniversary, playing with RWCMD’s String Soloists.
‘Every time I come to RWCMD, I’m inspired by the energy of the students and the sense of possibility here.
The Big Strings Weekend is about sharing that inspiration with the next generation of string players – and its eclectic mix certainly lives up to that.’Jacob ShawRWCMD International Chair of Cello
But at its heart, the festival is about inclusion: with free workshops, audition advice, and taster sessions – including the chance to pick up a viola or double bass, a violin or a cello, and play alongside musicians from BBC National Orchestra of Wales - young people and beginners are encouraged to take their very first steps into the world of strings.
Students, from beginners taking their very first steps into the world of string playing, right up to those on the verge of conservatoire study and beyond, are warmly encouraged to come and take part.
‘This weekend is about celebrating the power and breadth of string music, focusing on opportunity, collaboration and sharing expertise and experience.
We want to promote inclusivity and community engagement, welcoming students at all stages of development to share inspirational experiences with other learners, college students, and top professionals.
It brings our partners together, working with National Youth Arts Wales, the Music Services, college professors and players from BBC National Orchestra of Wales, building stronger relationships with schools and teachers, and giving all students the opportunity to work and perform with world-class strings players.'Simon JonesHead of String Performance
Highlights of the Big Strings Weekend include:
- Jacob Shaw, Founder of the Scandinavian Cello School, and RWCMD International Chair of Cello, joined by cellists Johannes Gray and Finn Anderson-Hendra performing with RWCMD String Soloists.
- Dominic Ingham joining College jazz students for a free AmserJazzTime performance.
- Roberts Balanas, social media superstar violinist, performing his special Bohemian Rhapsody arrangement – celebrating the iconic track’s 50th anniversary, and a free workshop for Grade 3+
- The Carducci Quartet, bringing music and the spoken word together on a folk-inspired musical journey celebrating diverse cultures.
- Inclusive workshops with leading artists Mary Condliffe, WNO Principal Dunia Ershova, Dominic Ingham, and Roberts Balanas.
- Audition advice, and an introduction to studying at RWCMD
- The Big Play – a mass participation event where anyone can pick up a string instrument and make music with BBC NOW musicians.
Editors notes
The College’s bold and transformative two-year string quartet residency (supported by The Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust, with additional funding from the Colwinston Charitable Trust) is an innovative program which places world-class string quartet practice at the core of the College’s vibrant community, aiming to influence the future of string playing across Wales and beyond.
