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About the Orchestra

Find out all about 麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales

Fact title Fact data
Home:
麻豆社 Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff
Principal Conductor
Ryan Bancroft
Principal Guest Conductor
Jaime Mart铆n (From September 2024)
Conductor Laureate
Tadaaki Otaka CBE
Composer-in-Association:
Gavin Higgins
Leader
Lesley Hatfield
Director
Lisa Tregale
Patron
His Majesty King Charles III

Get in touch

Email: now@bbc.co.uk

For over 90 years, the 麻豆社 National Orchestra of Wales (麻豆社 NOW), the only professional symphony orchestra in Wales, has played an integral part in the cultural landscape of the country, occupying a distinctive role as both a broadcast and national orchestra, and serving as an ambassador of Welsh culture, regularly performing music created in Wales and championing Welsh composers and artists.

Part of 麻豆社 Cymru Wales and supported by the Arts Council of Wales, 麻豆社 NOW performs a busy schedule of live concerts and broadcasts, working with acclaimed conductors and soloists from across the world, including their Principal Conductor, the award-winning Ryan Bancroft.

The orchestra is committed to working in partnership with community groups and charities and takes music out of the concert hall and into settings such as schools and hospitals to enable others to experience and be empowered by music. It undertakes workshops, concerts and side-by-side performances to inspire and encourage the next generation of performers, composers and arts leaders, and welcomes thousands of young people and community members annually through its outreach and education projects.

麻豆社 NOW performs annually at the 麻豆社 Proms and biennially at the 麻豆社 Cardiff Singer of the World competition, and its concerts can be heard regularly across the 麻豆社: on Radio 3, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. On screen, music performed by 麻豆社 NOW can be heard widely across the 麻豆社 and other global channels, including the soundtrack and theme tune for Doctor Who, Planet Earth III, Prehistoric Planet, The Pact and Children in Need.

Based at 麻豆社 Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay, 麻豆社 NOW utilises a state-of-the-art recording studio with a camera system for livestreams and TV broadcasts to bring 麻豆社 NOW’s music to a broader audience across Wales and the world.

Who's who

麻豆社 Hoddinott Hall

The Orchestra's relationship with Alun Hoddinott is enshrined within what has been the most important development for the Orchestra during the current decade: the move into 麻豆社 Hoddinott Hall in January 2009, situated in Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Probably one of the most sophisticated orchestral rehearsal and studio provisions in Britain, the hall is primarily a rehearsal and recording studio, but also provides the opportunity to give concerts to audiences of around 350.

The Hall also includes sophisticated facilities for outreach work. The Grace Williams Studio, which can hold up to 60 people, hosts workshops and rehearsals acting as a centre for the Orchestra and Chorus's acclaimed outreach work.

Joining the Orchestra

Positions within the Orchestra are extremely competitive and are subject to auditions and a trial period. Orchestral vacancies are advertised on . Successful applicants will be asked to attend an audition. Management vacancies are advertised on the website.

For further information about auditions and trials please email now@bbc.co.uk