Dame Shirley Bassey celebrating with cast and crew of Sweet Charity(Image: KIRSTEN MCTERNAN)

The Welsh conservatoire supported by King Charles and celebrity legends

07 Nov 2024, 08:00 by Rachel Rutherford · Wales Online

Wales’ national conservatoire has nurtured exceptional talent over the years and is celebrating a big anniversary.

Founded in Cardiff Castle, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) turns 75 this year.

Now one of the UK’s top conservatoires, the anniversary marks its decades of success in the Welsh arts scene lighting up stages, screens, and everywhere in between, all across the world.

Here are seven things you might not know about the college...

Royal and star-studded connections

While King Charles is its patron, RWCMD has some serious Welsh star power.

Vice-president Anthony Hopkins studied music at the conservatoire, while Dame Shirley Bassey is a huge supporter of its students.

Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys are international chairs, and comedy icons Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon studied there before Nessa and Uncle Bryn could even say: "Oh, what’s occurin’?"

RWCMD alumni are everywhere

Artist in residence, Errollyn Wallen, rehearsing with students at RWCMD(Image: KIRSTEN MCTERNAN)

Bafta Cymru recently honoured the current time as a "golden age of film and TV production in Wales" and RWCMD graduates are part of that story.

Popping up on screens big and small, they are showcasing Welsh talent on the global stage - such as It’s A Sin’s Callum Scott-Howells, Bafta award winners Rakie Ayola and Mark Lewis-Jones, and stars in award-winning Welsh dramas like Pembrokeshire Murders, Craith/Hidden, Men Up, and Steeltown Murders.

Behind-the-scenes talent

RWCMD grads make the magic happen offstage too, working on major TV and film productions such as Barbie, Heartstopper, Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, and even the Eurovision Song Contest.

From stage management to technical theatre and design, they’re the ones bringing these productions to life.

RWCMD's new foundation courses in production technology, scenic arts, and construction are designed to fill the industry’s demand for these skills - meaning students can now train and land jobs without having to leave Wales.

Musical mastery

RWCMD's musical graduates are also making waves, from Levi Tyrell Johnson starring in Hamilton at the Wales Millenium Centre, the college's partnership with Welsh National Opera, to musicians working with classical orchestras across the world and stars such as Stormzy and Beyoncé.

In 2023, Vice-President Sir Bryn Terfel became the first artist to perform in Welsh at a Coronation, joined by many RWCMD grads including former royal harpist Alis Huws.

Its musicians are versatile, too, with composition students creating soundscapes for the Cardiff Music City Festival to computer games like Resident Evil.

Artists in society

RWCMD Symphony Orchestra rehearsing in the Old Library(Image: KIRSTEN MCTERNAN)

RWCMD is transforming Cardiff’s Old Library into an inclusive community arts centre, bringing performances, community workshops and exhibitions to the public.

Its Good Vibrations Chorus, led by RWCMD grad Joshua Jones and hosted in the Old Library, offers a singing space for everyone, with a special focus on those with Parkinson’s.

Open to all

Everyone’s welcome at RWCMD. Located in Bute Park, it’s an arts centre for the public - a place to enjoy beloved classics, discover fresh performances, or simply relax with a coffee in the beautiful foyer.

This Christmas, its line-up includes fantastic events, such as a British Sign Language–integrated performance of Treasure Island.

Weekly free events

Catch free events like Cabaret at the College and Classical Café, plus the popular AmserJazzTime every Friday in term time.