Wales

The Welsh Music Information Centre is part of Ty Cerdd-Music Centre Wales. In the last year, the Centre has supported nearly 400 performing music organisations throughout Wales, commissioned 15 new works, either directly or in partnership with other organisations, administered five of the six National Youth Music Ensembles, and recorded over 100 cds of Welsh music or music by Welsh artists. During the year, 112 organisations or individuals have accessed the performance and research library.

The Centre has recently appointed an Events Co-ordinator, and is confident of meeting its target of providing 200 free performances and workshops, both at the Wales Millennium Centre and throughout Wales, in the current year. WMIC is also working in partnership with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales as it pilots a new late night series of free contemporary music concerts, beginning in September 2006.

Highlights during the last year have included the commissioning and performance of the fanfare which opened the new National Assembly for Wales Senedd building, the invitation from IAMIC to host the 2008 annual conference, and the receipt of additional funding from the PRSF in support of our promotion of new music.

We look forward to developing our archival resources this year and, in particular, the start of our new education project in the summer. Also this year, Wales celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Welsh composer Grace Williams. The Centre will mark this occasion by publishing her last major work, Missa Cambrensis for choir, soloists and orchestra. This will be performed by the Cardiff University’s Choir and Orchestra in December 2006.