Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
Ar hyn of bryd mae'r cynnwys hwn ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
+44 (0)29 2063 5640
Medal y Cyfansoddwr 2027
‘Experimenting with tradition’
Commissioning three new works for triple harp
Deadline for applications: midnight on Sunday 15 November 2026
Medal y Cyfansoddwr is a collaboration between Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Tŷ Cerdd and the Welsh Music Guild. For the 2027 Maldwyn Meirionnydd Eisteddfod, the focus is the triple harp, renowned as traditional instrument and offered here as an opportunity for experimentation for composers and music-creators of any genre.
This is an opportunity for the very best in composition and music-creation in Wales to be celebrated through the National Eisteddfod’s prestigious Composer’s Medal.
Composers and music-creators of any genre are encouraged to apply. Three artists will be selected for commission, and will be given the opportunity work with leading triple-harpist Eleri Darkins over a series of workshops during the first half of 2027, where composer John Hardy will facilitate the sessions exploring the triple harp.
Workshops will be held in Tŷ Cerdd’s Studio in Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The three selected artists will each receive a commission fee of £600, and expenses (within Wales) will be covered to workshops and the Eisteddfod itself.
All three commissioned works will be performed at the National Eisteddfod, and one of the three composers will be awarded the Medal y Cyfansoddwr (Composer’s Medal) at the final ceremony of the event on 7 August 2027.
The winner of the Medal will receive a prize of £750.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE TRIPLE HARP?
We have created a primer video with Eleri Darkins to unpack the triple harp for composer who have not worked with the instrument.
DATES
Applicants must be available for ALL of the following workshops / performances:
-
Thursday 4 February: introductory half-day session (either at Tŷ Cerdd Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; or online, tbc)
-
Thursday 8 April: workshop with harpist, at Tŷ Cerdd Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
-
Thursday 10 June: workshop with harpist, at Tŷ Cerdd Studio, Cardiff
-
Saturday 7 August: Eisteddfod rehearsal / judging at the Eisteddfod Stiwdio, Machynlleth (daytime)
-
Saturday 7 August: Medal y Cyfansoddwr Ceremony (Eisteddfod Pafiliwn, afternoon, c.15:30)
ELIGIBILITY
Genre
We warmly encourage applications from music-creators and composers working in any musical style, although please note that artists will need to use notation for this commissioning opportunity.
Welsh music-creators
Applications are welcomed from music-creators from across Wales. You are eligible to apply if:
-
you were born in Wales, or
-
one of your parents were born in Wales, or
-
you can speak or write in Welsh, or
-
you have lived or worked in Wales for 12 months prior to 31 August 2027.
Expenses bursaries will be available for artists’ travel within Wales. Please note that travel outside of Wales will not be covered.
APPLICATION FORMATS
Written applications are submitted through our online portal.
Audio and video applications are also welcomed. If you need help creating a link to your video, please email enquiries@tycerdd.org for support.
Welsh language: Workshops will be run bilingually, and participants are welcome no matter where they are on their journey with the Welsh language.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, BUT YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS...
We can chat with you directly by phone or Zoom. Email Deborah Keyser or enquiries@tycerdd.org to arrange a call. We want to remove as many barriers as we can – so if there’s anything you’d like to talk to us about, let us know and we will try to help to find a solution.
HOW TO APPLY
Upload the following information to our PORTAL. Applications are welcomed in Welsh and English.
1. Personal details: your name, email address, mobile number, address, confirmation that you are over 18. Please also include your website and social media handles (if applicable).
2. Tell us about your practice (Max 250 words):
-
Tell us about your practice as a composer creator and what you’ve been most proud of.
-
Let us know about any previous experience you’ve had as a music creator that might be relevant to this opportunity.
3. How might you respond to writing a new triple harp piece for Medal y Cyfansoddwr? (Max 400 words: you don’t need to use the full word limit, but give as much detail as you feel is helpful to include.)
As part of your answer, please tell us about:
-
How writing for triple harp might stretch your practice, and contribute to the instrument’s repertoire
-
Your relationship to Wales and its language. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to the Welsh language and appreciation of its importance to this project.
4. Examples of your work: please provide two links or attachments to your music and the corresponding two scores.
Please send links to single tracks (rather than full albums) and only add one link per field.
We encourage you to share examples that showcase your strongest work and, where possible, connect with your approach to this project.
For audio: please send links rather than sound or video files. These may be hosted on SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, etc. If you need help creating links, contact enquiries@tycerdd.org .)
For scores: please send PDFs.
AUDIO AND VIDEO APPLICATIONS
1. Record your answers to questions 2 & 3 above. (Max 8 mins duration: you don’t need to use the full eight minutes, but include as much detail as you feel is helpful.)
2. Upload a link to your recording, adding your Personal Details (Q1) and links to two examples of your work (Q4). If you need help creating a link to your video, please email enquiries@tycerdd.org
SELECTION PANEL
The panel will consist of:
-
Litang Shao, composer
-
John Hardy, composer
-
Eleri Darkins, harpist
-
Deborah Keyser, Director, Tŷ Cerdd
TIMELINE & SELECTION PROCESS
-
Deadline for applications: midnight on Sunday 15 November 2026
-
The panel will meet shortly after the deadline
-
We’ll let you know the outcome by w/b 7 December
PARTNERS/FACILITATORS
John Hardy is Head of Composition at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. As a child, John was head chorister at Exeter Cathedral. While at Oxford University and the Guildhall School he was director of Edington Festival for four years. John’s approach in education work is to encourage students to develop their creativity in a way that is meaningful to them. His valuing of this creativity in others has led to collaborative and professional work with his students and graduates.
‘My main purpose is to encourage people to believe in themselves’.
Eleri Darkins is an accomplished harpist and teacher with decades of experience nurturing talent across all generations. After studying under Elinor Bennett and Sioned Williams, she specialised in teaching pedal, lever, and traditional Welsh triple harp. A pioneer in her field, Eleri co-founded Thailand’s first dedicated harp school, the Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre, in 2002. Today, she is Co-Director at the Glasbury Arts Harp Summer School and teaches in South Powys.
Notable performances on the Welsh triple harp include the 1999 opening of the National Assembly and the World Harp Congress, alongside winning the National Eisteddfod’s John Weston Thomas Memorial Prize.
Welsh Music Guild’s purpose is advancing the understanding and appreciation of the music of composers of Welsh origin and the composers of any nationality resident in Wales.
