RWCMD appoints Dame Shirley Bassey as president

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) has announced that Dame Shirley Bassey CH DBE FRWCMD will join the college as its president for the next three years. She succeeds HM King Charles who was president of the college before his accession, and was confirmed as continuing as its patron earlier this year.

The announcement comes as RWCMD’s 75^th anniversary celebrations draw to a close. In this honorary role Dame Shirley will support the College work as the national conservatoire of Wales. The appointment builds on her more than two decades-long relationship with the college as an RWCMD Fellow. The college’s Dame Shirley Bassey Studio is in recognition of this relationship and she has endowed a valuable singing scholarship in her name.

Dame Shirley said: ‘Over the 22 years that I have been involved with this very exciting place of training, I have seen first-hand how much it has to offer and how exceptional the students who choose to study in my home city of Cardiff are. As RWCMD president, it will give me the greatest pleasure to continue to champion the vital importance of the College to Wales and to the arts everywhere in the world.’

RWCMD principal Helena Gaunt added: 'Dame Shirley has been a great friend to the College over many years. She has directly supported our students through a vital scholarship, attended events and, through her talents and hard work, always exemplified extraordinary professionalism, artistry and generosity to inspire our students. Now, as we bring our 75^th birthday to a close, it is exciting to welcome her to the College in the official capacity of President and to celebrate the special relationship that we have. She has touched so many lives all over the globe that she offers us exceptional inspiration as we continue in our mission to empower the emerging artists who train here to develop creative and sustainable careers at the highest levels, and to make an impact on the world around them.’