Introducing the New Music Residency 2026
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Trxth
Hailing from Croydon in South East London, Trxth (formerly C4Truth) delivers conscious and emotional music, drawn from his real-life experiences. His lyrics carry depth and authenticity, whilst blending with current commercial sounds. Having recently graduated from university and received recognition from the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra and Youth Music, Trxth is now preparing to release his debut project, OUR LAST TOMORROW. The project explores the pressure of growing up and the unsettling feeling that time is running out to achieve your dreams.
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Chloe Lovell
Chloe Lovell is a contemporary classical composer, arranger and orchestrator from Wales. After graduating with an MMus in Composition from the University of Edinburgh, she has enjoyed exploring music across orchestral, chamber and film and media settings. She loves bringing ideas to life through collaboration and discovering new ways to connect people through music. She is particularly passionate about creating imaginative, engaging music and is very excited and grateful to be joining the Music for Youth New Music Residency.
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IRIS
Finalist on The Voice France 2024, IRIS is a London-based French artist known for her sophisticated songwriting and powerful, emotive vocals. With a background in classical music and violin training, she brings a dramatic and vibrant edge to her sound, blending classical influences with the pop sonorities of today. On April 2nd 2025, she released her debut EP, IRIS PART I., followed by headline shows at Paper Dress Vintage and Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club in London.
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Kirk Boyd
Kirk Boyd is a Musician, Composer and Arranger from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Since graduating from Leeds Conservatoire’s Film Music course, he has worked within the Leeds independent film scene, building a portfolio of scores for short films and documentaries. He has recently collaborated with Leeds-based bands to arrange, conduct and record live orchestral instruments, including work with Heavy Metal Music’s Best UK Breakthrough nominee, ARTIO. He is currently co-writing and scoring Vanguard, a World War I film set in France and filmed in his hometown at Tanfield Railway.
New Music Residency is an artist‑development programme supporting early‑career music creators to elevate their new songs for large‑scale live performance. Across six months, participants work closely with industry experts to transform their original material into arrangements for orchestra and choir, culminating in a premiere on the iconic Royal Albert Hall stage.
Participants gain hands‑on experience in song development, orchestral scoring, collaborative musicianship, and live production for major venues. Alongside the creative work, the residency provides comprehensive professional development, including sessions on music business, PR and promotion, audience development and live event delivery.
This year’s cohort features four multi‑genre early‑career artists who will collaborate with Milton Keynes Youth Orchestra, Oldham Music Centre Youth Choir, and mentors Damien Harron and Beau Miles to reimagine and upscale their new songs for a landmark performance.
Supported by
WATCH OUR 2025 NEW MUSIC RESIDENCY
New Music Residency 2025 was an innovative co-creation initiative in which four music creators (Elly Xia, Paloma Leon, Susi Pagel and Clarion) collaborated to write and perform original works with the South East Wales Youth Orchestra and Choir, a large-scale orchestra and massed choir of 212 musicians at the Royal Albert Hall.
“I enjoyed learning more about collaborating with different people, meeting fellow musicians, doing something that is different to what I usually do, working with an arranger, orchestra, and choir, and of course performing at the Royal Albert Hall. I feel more confident in the skills I already had and as a result more inspired to create more arrangements.” (Elly Xia)
“This [New Music Residency] was a really special and once in a lifetime experience that I’m so glad to have had with my band. The writing and rehearsal process was so much fun, and I loved working with the mentors to bring something new to life. Our mentor worked with both us and the composer to ensure it was magical, and it was so worth it. It was the best day of my life! Getting to perform my music in front of such a huge crowd was the most special feeling in the world. We felt so looked after by the team all day which really helped to ease any nerves.” (Susi Pagel)