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One of Wales\u2019s top music festivals is celebrating after clinching a major funding deal.
\nThe North Wales International Music Festival, at St Asaph Cathedral, has secured a \u00a340,000 grant from the North Wales Regional Arts Lottery Fund.
\nThe successful bid came after the Wales Arts Council changed the way it funds festivals.
\nOrganisers believe it is a reward for the \u201chuge success\u201d of last year\u2019s event against all the economic odds.<\/p>\n
Audience figures went up by 14 per cent on the previous year at a time when other similar events struggled, with a number of high profile casualties like Bryn Terfel\u2019s Faenol Festival which was cancelled for the second year running.<\/p>\n
Artistic Director Ann Atkinson said: \u201cThe funding for all festivals will change from them being revenue funded organisations funded by the Arts Council to going into a new pot of funding that comes via the National Lottery.
\n\u201cIn many ways, it will ensure that all festivals are on a level playing field. When you\u2019ve been revenue funded, it\u2019s very scary going out of that comfort zone but it means we are able to do earlier planning and it should work out well for us.
\n\u201cIt was a great delight and relief to find out that our bid for funding had been successful for this year from the North Wales Regional Arts Lottery fund.\u201d
\n\u201cI felt that we had been supported greatly by the Arts Council and the staff of the North Wales Office.\u201d
\n\u201cWe felt a great sense of support when we were making the transition \u2013 they value what we\u2019re doing.
\n\u201cIt is a special event in a very special place and this year will be our 39th year so we are looking forward to our 40th anniversary next year.
\n\u201cWhen the late Professor William Matthias, our founder, tried to find the best acoustic in North Wales he chose St Asaph Cathedral.
\n\u201cThe acoustic is exceptional because of the combination of wood and stone. It\u2019s a very crisp and a very clean acoustic which enhances any performance.
\n\u201cThere is a great deal of affection for the festival among our supporters.
\n\u201cSome of the core audiences have come faithfully every year and many of the stewards are hardy perennials. We\u2019ve also got sponsors who go back to the beginning.
\n\u201cThe performers who come are always very happy to be asked back because the audience creates a very special atmosphere.
\n\u201cWe are certainly not resting on our laurels and we are going all out to get even more people through the doors this year.
\n\u201cAs well as a host of world class performers, we believe in giving a chance to the next generation of musical stars.
\n\u201cThis year we\u2019re hoping to stage Noye\u2019s Fludde (Noah\u2019s Flood) by Benjamin Britten \u2013 it will have about 100 schoolchildren in it.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ll also have National Youth Jazz Wales as well so we\u2019ll have quite a young feel to the festival.
\n\u201cAnother important part of the festival is reaching out into the community and getting people in who would never ever have dreamt of coming to the festival.
\n\u201cThe aim is to get them to realise that classical music is very accessible \u2013 good music is good music.\u201d
\nNick Capaldi, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Wales said: \u201cOur new scheme for funding festivals will allow us to fund the very best of Wales\u2019s engaging, celebratory and inspiring festivals. North Wales International Music Festival aims to bring the finest international classical artists to North Wales.
\n\u201cFestivals like this are an important part of cultural life for local communities, and for many they can be the highlight of the year.
\n\u201cWe are delighted to support a Festival that plays such role and we are pleased to be supporting the passion and imagination of the programme that the Festival is offering.\u201d<\/p>\n