Nathan leads Welsh delegation for Classical:NEXT 2026
Nathan becomes project lead for the Welsh delegation attending Classical:NEXT in Budapest from 8-11 April 2026, in partnership with Tŷ Cerdd and Wales Arts International.
The event is the global networking and exchange hub dedicated exclusively to classical and art music, for all professionals and includes an interactive conference, project pitches, showcase concerts, expo, and networking.
Nathan will join Antigone (Tiggy) Blackwell(Jazz Trombonist and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Students’ Union President), Joshua Games (Founder & Artistic Director, Brecon Choir Festival), Deborah Keyser(Director, Tŷ Cerdd), Ella (Pea) Pearson (Oboist, Creative Practioner), Michael Rafferty (Conductor & Artistic Director, UPROAR Wales New Music Ensemble), Natalie Roe(Composer, Producer, Electronic Artist), and Daniel Soley (Composer, Music Producer, Sound Artist), as part of the Welsh delegration led by Tŷ Cerdd.
What is Classical:NEXT?
Image from Classical:NEXT expo in 2022
Classical:NEXT is the global networking and exchange hub dedicated exclusively to classical and art music, for all professionals – artists, managers, presenters, orchestras, labels, educators, press, media, publishers and more. The event includes an interactive conference, project pitches, showcase concerts, expo, and networking. By taking part in Classical:NEXT, you join over 1,000 professionals from more than 45 countries from around the world.
Visit this website to find out more information (link embedded).
Why am I going?
There are many reasons why I want to attend Classical:Next 2026, not least by playing an active part in broader conversations in contemporary classical music industry, the opportunity to network with industry specialists, and being a voice for the exciting music created by Welsh creatives, but to explore the possibility of collaboration.
Since representing Wales at the 2023 International Society of Contemporary Music World Music Days in South Africa, building international partners and collaborators is a key for me moving forward and to build on those existing conversations. The recognition of cross-cultural creative conversation enables me to refocus and develop my practice as a music creator, conductor, educator, and artistic producer in the UK and Ireland, whilst promoting my music/research to potential producers, promoters, and arts organisations for future collaboration. Besides broadly showcasing my work as a music creator, there are three specific things I want to gain from my trip to the 2026 Budapest gathering:
explore ways in which we diversify our concert experiences (as a producer for several UK-based festivals);
connect with other LGBTQ+ artists / Queer-friendly organisations to hone and enhance current project plans - passion for choir, ensemble, electronics, and virtual reality;
and activate international conversations surrounding the power of collective singing in our local communities (to enrich initial plans for the creation of an advanced choral hub for young and emerging composers and singers in the UK).
