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Sir Bryn Terfel teams up with RWCMD to support future young artists

On Saturday 25th February 2023 Sir Bryn Terfel CBE, one of the world’s greatest singers, announced a new foundation with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Cronfa Syr Bryn Terfel

RWCMD and its Vice President Sir Bryn have launched Cronfa Syr Bryn Terfel* to build a significant new source of support for talented young artists training at the College.

It was launched at the Canu’r Dydd/ Sing the Day fund-raising event, hosted by Bryn.

The lunchtime entertainment included first year undergraduate students from every music department performing and singing with Bryn as part of RWCMD’s Integrated Musician module, which celebrates the embodiment of music.

Bryn’s life was transformed through singing and the particular opportunities he received from a young age. Cronfa Syr Bryn Terfel will be a new foundation, developed with RWCMD, providing similar opportunities with a focus on scholarships and bursaries for students who might otherwise be unable to benefit from its advanced training because of financial barriers.

Grad and fellow Mark Lewis Jones, Bryn Terfel and RWCMD new board member April Koyejo-Audiger

It will also fund projects that celebrate Bryn’s musical heritage and reflect his passion for the Welsh language and Welsh culture, starting in 2025 with a new international biennial song prize.

Actors Holly Saunders and Lauren Morais perform a specially commissioned poem by Welsh poet Mererid Hopwood.

Celebrating the rich diversity in individual cultures and the potential of powerful expression through different languages, competitors will be required to include at least one song in Welsh and one in their own language in their programmes.

It will be open to singers from the College but also from other UK conservatoires and international colleges and the winner will receive a £5,000 prize.

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