NYAW Choral Development Project, Côr Skills, Relaunches For 2023
Activity for National Youth Arts Wales choral development programme Côr Skills has kicked into gear, with four January workshops taking place in preparation for the February residency.
Developed as a pathway to enhance young singers and vocalists’ confidence and ability in choral singing, and two years on from the pilot scheme developed with National Youth Choir of Wales conductor Tim Rhys-Evans, the project launched with workshops in Summer 2022.
Recruiting enthusiastic young singers through a combination of an open call process alongside targeted campaigns with schools, youth choirs, and music services, Côr Skills will engage with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds and has been designed to support those currently underrepresented in the arts - particularly global majority young people and young people from low-income families.
Current members of NYCW who could benefit from additional development have also been invited to take part in the residency.
With over 80 students taking part in four workshops held in both Cardiff and Swansea led by our team of esteemed facilitators – which includes Iori Haugen, a founder of Choirs for Good and Anna Beresford, a conductor and team member at WNO – each student worked on “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Singing in three-part harmony, they focussed on a variation of vocal techniques, their general musicianship, refined via a variety of exercises and games.
Naomi Davies, head of Expressive Arts at Cardiff West Community High School, said this of the workshop. “The pupils were very positive and enjoyed thoroughly! Hopefully, we could have you in again going forward! A few are applying for the workshop during half term which is a fantastic opportunity for them.”
Bruna Garcia, Côr Skills Trainee Producer agrees. “It was great to see how the students engaged with the workshop, and they did so extremely well. It’s encouraging to know they had fun whilst also taking something valuable away with them.”
Developing on what was covered during the workshops, our residential course will offer participants the opportunity to work with an expert team of singing leaders and special guests.
This 4-day residency will take place from 18th-21st February 2023 at the Urdd Centre in Cardiff Bay, where participants will take part in an exciting range of workshops, masterclasses with special guests, and bespoke one-to-one singing sessions. The residency will culminate in an informal performance sharing for friends, family, and special guests.
Our aim is for each participant to leave the residency with the confidence and skills to audition for any other choral opportunities that may come their way in the future, and of course the National Youth Choir of Wales.
For more information on the residency, including cost and how to apply, simply head over to the Côr Skills projects page.
