Paul Mealor announced as BBC NOW Composer-in-Association

Born in St Asaph and raised in North Wales, Paul has a long-standing relationship with BBC NOW and the BBC National Chorus of Wales. Previous collaborations include Celtic Prayers in 2014 and his Third Symphony, Illumination, commissioned and premiered by BBC NOW in 2018.

I want to explore what being a Welsh composer means now, not by looking backwards nostalgically, but by allowing that inheritance to become part of something new.

Paul Mealor

His appointment begins an exciting new chapter in that relationship, creating opportunities for Paul to work closely with the Orchestra and Chorus and develop new music rooted in Wales, its people, places and stories.

The appointment also brings Paul’s musical journey in Wales full circle. From singing as a chorister at St Asaph Cathedral and studying composition with William Mathias and John Pickard, to a career in which Welsh language, landscape and musical traditions have remained a powerful influence, his connection to Wales has been a constant throughout his work.

Now, as Composer-in-Association, that relationship enters a new chapter – creating new music with Wales’s national orchestra and chorus and carrying that musical inheritance forward. Paul said:

To become Composer-in-Association with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales feels, in a rather wonderful way, like part of a circle coming home. This appointment doesn’t feel like arriving among strangers; it feels like deepening a musical friendship that already exists.

During his time in the role, Paul hopes to explore ideas around memory, place, landscape, language and the human voice, while bringing together different musical communities and creating work that reaches new audiences. He added:

“I want to explore what being a Welsh composer means now, not by looking backwards nostalgically, but by allowing that inheritance to become part of something new.”

Lisa Tregale, Director of BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Paul as our new Composer-in-Association. Paul is an extraordinary Welsh composer and storyteller, with a wonderful ability to create music that connects with people on local and global stages. I’m incredibly excited about what we can create together and the new stories, ideas and audiences we can explore through this partnership.”

The announcement comes as BBC NOW prepares to give the first performance of Paul’s newly commissioned Aberfan: From Darkness to Light, with words by Grahame Davies, marking 60 years since the Aberfan disaster.

The work will receive its first performance at Aberfan Community Centre on Saturday 24 October, bringing together BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales with Ynysowen Male Voice Choir and the combined choirs of Ynysowen Community Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhyd-y-Grug.

Described by Paul as “a concert requiem for hope”, the work has been created as an act of remembrance – honouring those who lost their lives and all those whose lives were forever changed, while reflecting the strength and continuity of the community today.

The following day, Sunday 25 October, Aberfan: From Darkness to Light will be performed at BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff. The concert will also be livestreamed on the BBC NOW website and BBC iPlayer, enabling audiences across Wales and beyond to share in this special commemoration.

For Paul and BBC NOW, it is the beginning of a new creative chapter – rooted in Wales, alive to its stories, and full of possibility.