Inspiring the next generation: RWCMD Youth Instrument days, bringing young musicians together

This Spring term we’ve welcomed young musicians from across Wales and the UK, coming together at the College for our first five free Youth Instrument Days, creating music and learning alongside our students, tutors and visiting artists.

Working with other Welsh music providers these first Instrument Days have focused on Guitar, Woodwind, French Horn, Harp and Percussion: young students have worked, interacted and performed with leading musicians including Zoran Dukić, Lumas Winds, Ben Goldscheider, and Joel Von Lerber, before sharing a final performance with family and friends in the Dora Stoutzker Hall.

The Instrument Days support young musicians as they build their musical development, confidence and motivation through a variety of workshops, ensemble playing, and performance with both the leading international artists and College tutors and students.

This immersive experience gives early learners a first taste of the collaborative experience of music, and offers more advanced learners a glimpse of conservatoire level learning, mentorship and tuition. They all share the value of being part of a musical family, for example, the French Horn, known as 'a rare breed instrument', was out in force with visiting artists Ben Goldscheider bringing over 50 players together to play on the Dora Stoutzker stage.

Working and connecting with our students, who might be only a few years ahead of them, shows young people the next potential and relatable steps in their music journey. 

This parent’s feedback really put into words how the experience can benefit a young musician:

The Youth Instrument Days build on the success of our three-day jazz workshops, which launched the College’s National Youth Jazz Wales partnership with National Youth Arts Wales and Jazz Explorers Cymru last year.

Bringing young artists together from around Wales, it inspired young artist Lucas Tyldesley to come to the Royal Welsh College, where he’s now studying Jazz piano. He’ll be joined next year by two more young musicians who applied to the College as a result of these inspirational sessions.

As well as developing as an individual musician, recognising the importance of using their own skills to make a difference within their community, is an integral part of RWCMD music students’ training.

Taking part in the Instrument Days offers them a focused experience in an educational setting, enabling them to give mentorship, advice and inspiration, and to be role models to younger musicians.

Music teachers and educators joined the visiting artists, RWCMD tutors and students to share approaches to nurturing young talent, and form deeper, long-term partnerships with the College and its community.