The Welsh Music Guild is saddened to share the news of the death of Stuart Burrows OBE, who passed away on 29 June 2025 at the age of 92. We extend our sincere condolences to his son, Mark Burrows – a Trustee of the Guild – and to all members of the Burrows family.
Stuart Burrows was one of Wales’s most recognisable voices in the world of classical music. Born in Cilfynydd in 1933, he became internationally known for his work in opera, concert and recital, and was especially respected for his interpretations of Mozart. His performances as Tamino in The Magic Flute, in particular, received wide acclaim and took him to many of the world’s leading stages, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
A teacher by training, Stuart’s career in music began after winning the tenor prize at the 1954 National Eisteddfod. He went on to work with Welsh National Opera before establishing a lasting international presence, appearing in San Francisco, Vienna, Milan and beyond. His clear tone, musical sensitivity and disciplined style made him especially well suited to Mozart roles, though his repertoire also included French, Italian and English works, as well as oratorio and song.
He recorded extensively and appeared regularly on television, helping to bring classical music to a wider public. He was also committed to supporting younger singers, including through the creation of an international singing competition in his name.
Stuart Burrows received a number of honours in recognition of his work, including the OBE and several honorary degrees and fellowships. Despite his international career, he remained closely connected to Wales throughout his life and was proud of his roots in the South Wales Valleys.
The Guild acknowledges Stuart’s contribution to Welsh musical life, and the example he set through his professionalism, generosity and enduring commitment to the art of singing. We join many others in remembering him with respect and gratitude.
Our thoughts are with Mark and the wider family at this time.
Awards presented in Cardiff at the Welsh Music Guild Awards Luncheon 2025 are detailed below: / Cyflwynwyd gwobrau 2025 yn ystod y Cinio Gwobrwyol Cymdeithas Cerddoriaeth Cymru yng Nghaerdydd fel y nodir isod:
The 2025 John Edwards Memorial Award, the most prestigious non-competitive award given in Wales for services to the nation’s music, was awarded to Michael McCarthy.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Goffa John Edwards 2025, y wobr anghystadleuol fwyaf mawreddog a roddwyd yng Nghymru am wasanaethau i gerddoriaeth y genedl, i Michael McCarthy.
The 2025 Sir Geraint Evans Award for a significant contribution to Welsh Music was awarded to Richard Baker.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Syr Geraint Evans 2025 am gyfraniad sylweddol i Gerddoriaeth Gymreig i Richard Baker.
The 2025 Hilary Tann Award for an outstanding achievement in music in Wales was awarded to Mark David Boden.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Hilary Tann 2025 am gyflawniad rhagorol mewn cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru i Mark David Boden.
The 2025 Joseph Parry Award for an exceptional contribution to musical education in Wales was awarded to Robert Plane.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Joseph Parry 2025 am gyfraniad eithriadol i addysg gerddorol yng Nghymru i Robert Plane.
The 2025 J. Mervyn Williams Award for a contribution to the communication of Welsh music through media production was awarded to Matthew Wood (accepted at the ceremony by Lisa Tregale).
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr J. Mervyn Williams 2025 am gyfraniad at gyfathrebu cerddoriaeth Gymraeg drwy cynhyrchu yn y cyfryngau i Matthew Wood (derbyniwyd yn y seremoni gan Lisa Tregale).
The 2025 Geraint Stanley Jones Award for a contribution to music communication through broadcasting in Wales was awarded to Christina Macaulay.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Geraint Stanley Jones 2025 am gyfraniad i gyfathrebiad cerddorol drwy ddarlledu yng Nghymru i Christina Macaulay.
The 2025 Pendine Arts and Community Trust Award for health and wellbeing in music was awarded to Evan Dawson.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Ymddiriedolaeth Celfyddydau a Chymuned Pendine 2025 am iechyd a lles mewn cerddoriaeth i Evan Dawson.
The 2025 Paul Mealor Awardfor Composers was awarded to Tayla-Leigh Payne.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Paul Mealor i Gyfansoddwyr 2025 i Tayla-Leigh Payne.
The 2025 Paul Mealor Awardfor Young Composers was awarded to William Cox.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Paul Mealor ar gyfer Cyfansoddwyr Ifanc 2025 i William Cox.
The 2025 Acapela Studio Award for Composers – to record the work of exceptional composers – was awarded to Kiko Litang Shao.
Dyfarnwyd Gwobr Stiwdio Acapela i Gyfansoddwyr 2025 – i recordio gwaith cyfansoddwyr eithriadol – i Kiko Litang Shao.
Mae Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC yn frwd dros gefnogi ac arddangos gwaith a thalent Cyfansoddwyr ledled Cymru. Mae Cyfansoddi: Cymru yn cynnig cyfle i nifer o gyfansoddwyr gael gweithdy ar eu cerddoriaeth, cael ei pherfformio a’i recordio gan BBC NOW yn Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC ym Mae Caerdydd.
Bydd y cyfansoddwyr hyn yn cael adborth arbenigol gan gerddorion proffesiynol yn ogystal â mentora gan gyfansoddwyr ac arweinyddion o’r radd flaenaf! Eleni, bydd y prosiect yn cael ei arwain gan Arweinydd Jac van Steen, a’r Cyfansoddwr Cysylltiedig Gavin Higgins.
Mae’r prosiect blynyddol hwn a’r cyngerdd sy’n uchafbwynt iddo, yn cael ei redeg ar y cyd â Nimbus Lyrita Arts, Tŷ Cerdd, Chyfansoddwyr Cymru, Gŵyl Bro Morgannwg a Chymdeithas Cerddoriaeth Cymru, ac mae’n cefnogi’r gwaith o ddatblygu a thynnu sylw at dalent cyfansoddi o Gymru, ac yng Nghymru.
Dyddiadau
Diwrnodau Gweithdy: Dydd Mercher 11 & 12 Chwefror 2026
Ymarferion a Chyngerdd: Dydd Gwener 13 Chwefror 2026
Sut i wneud cais?
Gwahoddir cyfansoddwyr i gyflwyno sgôr i’w hystyried ar gyfer Cyfansoddi: Cymru erbyn dydd Sul 28ain Medi 2025 erbyn 23:00.
Bydd 6 sgôr yn cael eu dewis ar gyfer y prosiect a bydd yr ymgeiswyr sydd ar y rhestr fer yn cael gwybod erbyn Dydd Llun 20fed Hydref 2025.
Croesewir ceisiadau gan gyfansoddwyr sy’n bodloni’r meini prawf canlynol:
Rhai sydd wedi’u geni, sy’n byw neu’n astudio yng Nghymru
BBC National Orchestra of Wales is passionate about supporting and showcasing the work and talent of Composers across Wales. Composition: Wales offers the opportunity to a selection of composers to have their music workshopped, performed and recorded by BBC NOW at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay.
These composers will receive expert feedback from professional musicians as well as mentoring by world class composers and conductors! This year the project will be led by Conductor Jac van Steen and Composer-in-Association Gavin Higgins.
These free workshops and culmination concert are run in association with Nimbus Lyrita Arts, Tŷ Cerdd, Composers of Wales, Vale of Glamorgan Festival and Welsh Music Guild. This project supports the development and exposure of Welsh, and Wales-based, compositional talent.
Dates
Workshop Days: Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 February 2026
Rehearsals & Culmination Concert: Friday 13 February 2026
How do I apply?
Composers are invited to submit a score to be considered for Composition: Wales bySunday 28 September 2025 by 23:00.
6 scores will be selected for the project and shortlisted candidates will be notified by Monday 20 October 2025.
Submissions are welcomed from composers who meet the following criteria:
Following on from the great success of the 2024 Composers Workshops with Huw Watkins and Robert Fokkens, the Penarth Chamber Music Festival is pleased to announce a call for pieces for the 2025 Composers Workshop.
This year we are Inviting UK-based composers between the ages of 18-30 to submit duos for violin and cello for inclusion In a workshop given by festival directors David Adams (violin) and Alice Neary (cello), with composer mentor Robert Fokkens.
Timeline for submissions:
26th May (5:00pm) Deadline for submissoons: piece for Violin and Cello duo, up to 10 minutes long.
30 May Announcement of selected pieces: 3-4 compositions chosen for workshops and participants notified.
5 June Initial Workshop David Adams and Alice Neary will workshop the selected pieces in a closed session with the composers and composer mentor Robert Fokkens.
Thursday 19th June 12:00-1:30 Composers Workshop with David Adams. Alice Neary and Robert Fokkens at Penarth Pier Pavilion. Open to the public as part of the 2025 Penarth Chamber Music Festival.
The workshop may be recorded by the participants for persona/portfolio use.
Please address any queries and submit a complete score and contact details to the following email address:
The Welsh Music Guild expresses its unequivocal opposition to the proposed closure of Cardiff University School of Music. This institution has been a cornerstone of musical excellence in Wales since 1883, fostering generations of composers, performers, and scholars who continue to contribute significantly to both national and international musical landscapes.
Since our founding, the Welsh Music Guild has been proud of its long-established relationship with Cardiff University School of Music (formerly University College, Cardiff). Together, we have consistently upheld the primary goal of promoting the public education, understanding, and appreciation of the music of Welsh composers, and music creators of any nationality residing in Wales. It is vitally important that we not only maintain, but further advance, this vital academic and creative centre for Wales.
The School of Music not only continues to nurture emerging talent. It also plays an integral role in the cultural fabric of Wales: promoting our nation’s rich musical heritage through promoting and recording Welsh composers such as Morfydd Owen to Eloise Gynn, and cultivating a truly diverse, unique, and international community of music makers and thinkers in the heart of our Capital City. Bolstered by the expansion of its iconic purpose-built building under the direction of composer Professor Alun Hoddinott CBE, and becoming the largest university music faculty in Europe in the 1980s, the School of Music has attracted some of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries’ most recognised and innovatory music creators as part of its faculty and invited composers, including Benjamin Britten OM CH, David Wynne, Randall Thompson, Olivier Messiaen, Professor William Mathias CBE, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE, Henri Dutilleux, John McCabe CBE, John Ogdon, Michael F. Robinson, Professor Hilary Tann, Jonathan Harvey, Norman Kay, Dame Judith Weir, Rhian Samuel, Sir George Benjamin CBE, Professor Arlene Sierra, Dr Robert Fokkens, and Dr Pedro Faria Gomes, to name only a few.
Osian Ellis (centre) with Benjamin Britten (left), and Peter Pears. Photograph: Richard Williams/Wales Harp Festival at New Hall (University College, Cardiff)
The Welsh Music Guild finds it deeply concerning that such an esteemed institution is at risk of closure. The loss of this department would be a devastating blow to Wales’s cultural infrastructure, jeopardising opportunities for future musicians and diminishing our nation’s standing as a centre for musical excellence.
Cardiff’s delicate cultural ecosystem thrives on the symbiotic presence of two world-leading institutions: the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD), our national conservatoire dedicated to training performers, actors, and theatre technicians; and Cardiff University’s School of Music, the academic hub for music scholarship, composition, and innovation. These institutions offer distinct yet interdependent contributions vital to the city’s artistic and intellectual vibrancy.
Since 1955, the Welsh Music Guild has recognised a wealth of Cardiff University graduates in their annual awards, all of whom have been leaders in the creative industries and ambassadors for Welsh musical excellence on this international stage (in alphabetical order): Dr Gareth Churchill, Dr Nathan James Dearden, Tim Rhys Evans MBE, Dr Jordan Hirst, Professor Alun Hoddinott CBE, Brian Hughes, Dr Gareth Olubunmi Hughes, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Sir Karl Jenkins CBE, Sarah Lianne Lewis, Andrew Matthews-Owen, John Metcalf MBE, Christopher Painter, Gail Pearson, Dr David John Roche, John Hugh Thomas OBE, Mark Thomas, Grace Williams, Huw Tregelles Williams, Dr Jeremy Huw Williams BEM, and Dr Jerry Yue Zhuo.
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Professor Alun Hoddinott CBE (right) at the opening of University College Cardiff School of Music (now Cardiff University); 1971
At a time when the arts face increasing challenges, it is imperative that we uphold and protect our musical institutions rather than dismantle them. The proposed closure contradicts Cardiff University’s stated commitment to the arts and undermines Wales’s reputation as a nation that values and nurtures its cultural heritage. The economic rationale for such a decision must be questioned, as the long-term repercussions will far outweigh any short-term financial savings.
We urge Cardiff University’s leadership to reconsider this decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, and the wider artistic community, to explore alternative solutions that will ensure the sustainability of the School of Music. Furthermore, we call upon the Welsh Government to intervene and support the preservation of this vital institution.
The Welsh Music Guild stands with those campaigning against this closure. We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for the protection and promotion of Wales’s musical institutions, its future success, and call on all who value the arts to join us in opposing this deeply regrettable proposal.
Galwad agored i gyfansoddwyr a chrewyr cerddoriaeth
Thema Medal y Cyfansoddwr eleni yw Cymru Fydd.
Mae Medal y Cyfansoddwr – Cymru Fydd yn llwybr sy’n cynnig cyfle â thâl i dri chrëwr cerddoriaeth i gyfansoddi ar gyfer ensemble siambr o Sinfonia Cymru.
I gydnabod canmlwyddiant ers geni Islwyn Ffowc Elis, un o feibion amlycaf ardal Wrecsam, rydym am i artistiaid gyflwyno syniadau sut y gallent ymateb drwy gerddoriaeth i’w nofel ffuglen-wyddonol epig: Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd.
Bydd y tri chyfansoddwr detholedig yn gweithio gyda Simmy Singh (ffidl), David Shaw (ffidl/fiola) a Garwyn Linnell (sielo) mewn gweithdai dros gyfnod o chwe mis, yn arwain at yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn Wrecsam, ble fydd perfformiad byw o’u gweithiau ar ddiwrnod olaf yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn y Pafiliwn ar ddydd Sadwrn 9 Awst 2025. Bydd un o’r tri chyfansoddwr yn derbyn Medal y Cyfansoddwr a gwobr o £750.
Mae’r llwybr yn cael ei rhedeg gan Tŷ Cerdd mewn partneriaeth a’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Sinfonia Cymru, a Chymdeithas Cerddoriaeth Cymru, yn gweithio gyda mentor-cyfansoddwr, Pwyll ap Siôn dros chwe mis.
Dyddiad cau am geisiadau yw 10:00 ar ddydd Mawrth 7 Ionawr.
The Medal y Cyfansoddwr theme this year is Cymru Fydd.
Medal y Cyfansoddwr – Cymru Fydd is a pathway offering three composers a paid opportunity to write for a chamber ensemble from Sinfonia Cymru.
In recognition of the centenary of the birth of Islwyn Ffowc Elis, one of Wrexham’s finest writers, we are inviting music-creators to respond to his epic novel Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd.
The three selected composers will work with Simmy Singh (violin), David Shaw (violin/viola) and Garwyn Linnell (cello) in workshops over six months, leading up to the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham, where their resulting works will be performed at the final day of the National Eisteddfod in the Pavilion on Saturday 9 August 2025. One of the three composers will be awarded the Medal y Cyfansoddwr and a £750 prize.
The pathway is delivered by Tŷ Cerdd in partnership with the National Eisteddfod, Sinfonia Cymru and Welsh Music Guild, working with composer mentor Pwyll ap Siôn across six months.
Deadline for applications is 10:00 on Tuesday 7 January.
The Welsh Music Guild of Directors has named Emyr Afan OBE as Chair of the Board, effective October 2024. He will succeed Richard Thomas, who will remain on the board as Deputy Chair, after 13 years of service…
Mae Cyfarwyddwyr Cymdeithas Cerddoriaeth Cymru wedi enwi Emyr Afan OBE yn Gadeirydd y Bwrdd, a ddaw i rym ym mis Hydref 2024. Bydd yn olynu Richard Thomas, a fydd yn parhau i fod ar y bwrdd fel Dirprwy Gadeirydd, ar ôl 13 mlynedd o wasanaeth…
Introduction to Composition: Wales 2025
Want to know more about Composition: Wales? Sign up below to join us for an online introduction and Q & A session at 17:00 on Wednesday 26 June 2024. Sign up via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/C5LdU6rWKL
Composition: Wales 2025
BBC National Orchestra of Wales is passionate about supporting and showcasing the work and talent of Composers across Wales. Composition: Wales offers the opportunity to a selection of composers to have their music workshopped, performed and recorded by BBC NOW at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay.
These composers will receive expert feedback from professional musicians as well as mentoring by world class composers and conductors! This year the project will be led by Conductor Jac Van Steen and Composer-in-Association Gavin Higgins.
These free workshops and culmination concert are run in association with Nimbus Lyrita Arts, Tŷ Cerdd, Composers of Wales, Vale of Glamorgan Festival and Welsh Music Guild, this project supports the development and exposure of Welsh, and Wales-based, compositional talent.
Dates
Workshop Days 24 & 25 March 2025
Rehearsals & Culmination Concert: 26 March 2025
How do I apply?
Composers are invited to submit a score to be considered for Composition: Wales by Sunday 20 October 2024 by 2300
6 scores will be selected for the project and shortlisted candidates will be notified by 15 November 2024.
Submissions are welcomed from composers who meet the following criteria:
• Born, living or studying in Wales
• Over 18
Apply Now!
Guidelines, criteria and submission details can be found: HERE
If you have any difficulty with the link please contact now@bbc.co.uk
