Nathan shortlisted for Tlws y Cyfansoddwr 2024

Nathan has been shortlisted for the 2024 Tlws y Cyfansoddwr, as part of the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taff. The award, supported by the Welsh Music Guild and Tŷ Cerdd, is formerly the ‘Tlws y Cerddor’, one of the highest honours awarded to composers in Wales.

Statement from Tŷ Cerdd

We are delighted to announce the music-creators who will participating in Tlws y Cyfansoddwr, in association with the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh Music Guild.

Lowri Mair Jones, Nathan James Dearden and Tomos Williams will work with mentor composer John Rea and a quartet of musicians from Sinfonia Cymru over seven months to create brand new works for chamber ensemble, using images of Rhondda Cynnon Taf as a catalyst for their new compositions. The participating artists’ works will be performed live at the Eisteddfod on Saturday 10 August, and one of the three composers will be awarded the Tlws.

Tlws y Cyfansoddwr is a re-boot of Tlws y Cerddor. The call to artists attracted a great many applications, and the new direction is promising a fruitful legacy.

What is the Tlws y Cyfansoddwr?

‘Tlws y Cyfansoddwr’ [‘The Composer’s Medal’] is a pathway offering three music-creators a paid opportunity to write for chamber ensemble – using images of Rhondda Cynon Taf as a catalyst for new compositions. Formerly the ‘Tlws y Cerddor’, the prize is one of the highest honours awarded to composers in Wales, by the National Eisteddfod each year.

The three resulting works will be performed at the National Eisteddfod Pavilion in August 2024 – in front of a projection of their chosen imagery. One of the three composers will awarded the Tlws y Cyfansoddwr  'Composer's Trophy' and a £750 prize.

The pathway is delivered by Tŷ Cerdd in partnership with the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh Music Guild, working with composer mentor John Rea four musicians from Sinfonia Cymru