Ensemble Cymru’s 2023-24 Annual Report

Celebrating Successes and Charting the Path Ahead

As we trustees reflect on our previous year in Ensemble Cymru’s newly released 2023-24 Annual Report, we hope you will join us in celebrating our achievements. Our annual report gives us the opportunity to share our vision with you, our supporters. It is only with your continued support that we continue to keep chamber music a living art form across Wales.

You can download the report here: 2024-09-07_AnnualReport_FINAL.pdf

Please see some of the highlights from the report.

2023-24 Highlights: Celebrating Our Achievements

Summer Lights Concert Series at Gregynog Hall, Powys

Ensemble Cymru’s Summer Lights concert series was a refreshing addition to the summer calendar, offering Saturday morning concerts at the historic Gregynog Hall in Powys. Working in collaboration with the Gregynog Trust and with the backing of Levelling Up funds distributed by Powys Council, this series showcased the talents of Welsh musicians and enriched the region’s cultural offerings. This series was part of Ensemble Cymru’s commitment to making high-quality music accessible to the local community.

Vivaldi’s Gloria: Empowering Young Voices on Ynys Môn

Another standout achievement was our Vivaldi Gloria project with music teachers and students from Ysgol David Hughes, supported by Cyngor Ynys Môn. This initiative engaged students in an immersive musical experience, giving them the opportunity to perform Vivaldi’s Gloria alongside professional musicians from Ensemble Cymru. The performance was held in Bangor Cathedral and reached a capacity audience.

I was at the staff meeting this morning – almost two weeks after the event – and one of the teachers asked when the next project was. Last week a pupil came to me and asked if he could join the choir. There were tears in the eyes of many of the audience at the end of the evening, parents and primary and secondary teachers. There’s still a buzz the length and breadth of the school. For me that is the measure of the success of the project.”
(English translation)
Einion Dafydd Pennaeth Cerdd | Head of Music, Ysgol David Hughes

Verdi’s Macbeth: Bringing Opera to New Audiences

Ensemble Cymru’s musicians contributed to the critically acclaimed touring production of Verdi’s Macbeth, attracting great reviews in the press including 4 stars in the Guardian and 5 stars in the Gramophone. Over the course of nine performances, our ensemble worked with our friends at Mid Wales Opera to bring the drama and passion of Verdi’s opera to audiences across rural Wales and border regions, with stops from Milford Haven to Mold. For many, this was a rare opportunity to experience opera live, demonstrating Ensemble Cymru’s dedication to expanding access to cultural performances in communities often overlooked by larger touring companies.

This show is full of imagination and intelligent use of limited resources. A surprisingly large cast of singers thanks to the names principals supplemented by a community choir, and the Ensemble Cymru players fearlessly conducted by music director Jonathan Lyness, gave a reading of the Scottish play that would grace any touring stage.”
OperaScene.co.uk (Spring 2024)

Navigating Challenges: A New Vision for Ensemble Cymru’s Future

Arts Council Investment Review

The past year wasn’t without its challenges. Notably, our application to the Arts Council of Wales’ Investment Review was declined.

Our strategic partner, Mid Wales Opera had their funding removed impacting the foundation of support we had relied upon and the artistically ambitious work we are able to provide for chamber musicians throughout the year. This was a unexpected blow to both organisations.

An opportunity to rethink…

As Ensemble Cymru’s trustees, we’ve had to review the charity’s strategy to secure its future sustainability. Due to the unfailing generosity of the many individuals who believe in us and our mission we had the resources to innovate, evolve and seek resources from elsewhere.

Helping us move forward

We are so grateful to the trustees of the Gaynor Cemlyn Jones Trust who have given a pledge of £5,000 which will enable us to promote a 12-month regular giving campaign – Ystafell Gerdd 125 starting in the autumn 2024. We are also immensely grateful for generous support from the Garfield Weston Foundation towards the charity’s core costs and support from the Davies Charity towards Ensemble Cymru’s concert series in Gregynog and Conwy.

A legacy of hope and joy

The Charity has also been notified that it is one of ten music charities named as beneficiaries of the will of the late Mrs Lois Miller.

Mrs. Miller and her late husband were supporters of and audience members at Ensemble Cymru’s concert series at Venue Cymru. We were so sorry to learn of her passing and deeply touched to have been remembered in her will.

We are committed to ensuring her legacy is one of hope and joy through classical chamber music for audiences of all ages in north and mid Wales.

Looking Ahead: Future Plans for 2024-25 and Beyond

The coming year holds exciting possibilities as Ensemble Cymru renews its commitment to communities, audiences, children and young people through performances of chamber music.

Trustees have resolved to launch a new programme of activities in autumn 2024 focused on the county of Conwy and Gregynog. These activities will prioritise a chamber music concert series, a chamber music academy for emerging and leisure-time musicians and support for young people studying music in secondary education.

Trustees recognise the impact of the economic climate on classical music in Wales and the arts in general. The charity will continue its commitment to providing artistically ambitious professional opportunities for Wales’ classical musicians and composers and hope for future generations of audiences, musicians and composers in Wales.

During 2024-2025, the Charity will be…

An annual concert Series
Building on the success of Summer Lights, Ensemble Cymru is thrilled to announce a 10-month concert series at Gregynog Hall and at St Mary’s Church, in Conwy in association with Conwy Music Festival. These performances will invite audiences to engage deeply with a range of repertoire across an extended season, bringing both new and returning visitors to Gregynog Hall and St Mary’s Church, Conwy for moments of inspiration and musical discovery.
A new membership programme
Our organisation will soon launch a membership programme, designed to offer exclusive benefits and bring our community closer to the heart of Ensemble Cymru’s mission. Through this initiative, members will have the chance to support our work directly, access exclusive musical experiences, and enjoy special events. We’re excited to build a network of supporters who share our vision and love for Welsh music and live chamber music across Wales.
Community and School Engagement
With a renewed commitment to engaging with schools and communities, we are exploring opportunities to bring the joy of live music into new settings. This focus on outreach will help us reach more young people, who, like the pupils of Ysgol David Hughes, will be able to experience the transformative power of music first-hand. We’re also committed to supporting teachers and community leaders in incorporating music into their curriculums and events, with the hope of inspiring the next generation of musicians.

In Gratitude: Thank You to Our Supporters and Partners

Ensemble Cymru’s achievements are a testament to the power of collaboration and community support. As we look forward, our mission remains clear: to bring the beauty of Welsh music to all corners of Wales, sharing the transformative power of music and building lasting connections with our audiences, creating music making opportunities for all communities.

The Board wish to acknowledge the wonderful generosity of all who continue to support our mission. You enable us to enrich lives and support the aspirations of emerging and established performers, composers and arts managers. Your unwavering and growing support enables us to plan with increased confidence and is the lifeblood of the charity.

The Trustees would like to pay tribute to the many individuals as Friends of Ensemble Cymru who, through regular giving, provide selfless and generous support throughout the year.

Thank you so much!