A highly regarded festival in North Wales is on the hunt for the most talented young musician in the region.

The North Wales International Music Festival is now welcoming entries for its inaugural competition, which will take place at the St Asaph Cathedral from September 12 to 21.

The winner of the competition will get the title of Pendine Young Musician of Wales, which is being supported by the event's main sponsors, Pendine Park care organisation via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust.

This groundbreaking competition will see the performances aired on BBC Radio Cymru.

In addition to receiving a cash award of £2,000 and the Pendine Trophy, the victor will be invited to perform at the festival next year.

Mario Kreft MBE, the proprietor of Pendine Park, with Paul Mealor, Artistic Director of the North Wales International Festival  (Image: Supplied)

The competition is brought to life by the festival's new artistic director, Paul Mealor, who is a royal composer originally from Connah’s Quay.

He is acclaimed for his composition Kyrie, which was performed at the King’s Coronation.

Earlier this year, Professor Mealor received a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) for his contribution to royal music and the Coronation Medal for his services to the service at Westminster Abbey.

Prof Mealor said: "The Pendine Young Musician of Wales Competition is a unique opportunity for young musicians born or living in Wales to showcase their talents at the North Wales International Music Festival.

"It will be judged by world renowned judges, and the competitors will receive expert feedback on their performances and perform in one of the greatest acoustics in Wales, St Asaph Cathedral, as well as the competition being broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru.""

Musicians who were born or are living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals studying abroad can take part in the competition provided they are under 21 on January 1, 2024.

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There's no minimum age for participation.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on August 31.

The idea for the competition came from young performers who have taken part in festival concerts

Prof Mealor added, "They realised there was no competition like it and little opportunity for them to perform individually in the cathedral which has the best acoustics for a solo performer."

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: "Our aim in supporting this exciting new competition is to provide a springboard for brilliant young Welsh musicians to achieve their dreams of establishing a successful career in music.

"The competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike."

Competitors will have three rounds with judges, led by Lisa Tregale, director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales.

Two finalists from each round will vie for the title at the grand final in St Asaph Cathedral on September 18.

This year’s festival, also backed by the UK government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Denbighshire, is set to include performances by BBC National Orchestra of Wales, The King's Singers, Foden's Band and Ar Log.

Details of how to apply for the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition are on the festival’s website, www.nwimf.com, along with the programme.

Tickets will be up for purchase on July 19.