Age Cymru nominates Karl Jenkins for a ‘Changemaker’ award in recognition of his work challenging ageist stereotypes

Gower born composer pushing musical boundaries at 80

Age Cymru has nominated the internationally renowned composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist Karl Jenkins as its Changemaker, an accolade that celebrates those people who have not only challenged ageing stereotypes but who have also trailblazed in their fields of creativity. 

Sir Karl William Pamp Jenkins, to give him his full title, was born in 1944 at Penclawdd, on the Gower, near Swansea, to a Swedish mother and Welsh father.  It was his father, a local schoolteacher, chapel organist, and choirmaster, who first introduced the young Jenkins to music. After attending Gowerton Grammar School, Jenkins studied music at Cardiff University and then commenced postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Jenkins’ best-known works include the song ‘Adiemus’, Palladio, The Armed Man, his Requiem, and his Stabat Mater. He joined the jazz-rock band Soft Machine in 1972, became the group's lead songwriter in 1974 and continued to work with them for the next ten years.  He has also composed music for several advertising campaigns for both radio and TV.

Jenkins was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the University of Wales and was made both a fellow (FRAM) and an associate (ARAM) of the Royal Academy of Music in London.  He also has fellowships at Cardiff University, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Trinity College Carmarthen, and Swansea Metropolitan University. In 2022 he was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.

Project lead Kelly Barr says “Karl Jenkins is the perfect example of what a Changemaker is meant to be. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has constantly innovated in various forms of music. At the same time, he’s also made his work as accessible as possible to the wider public. It was brilliant to see him make his BBC Proms debut this week with his BBC commissioned piece Stravaganza, performed by Jess Gillam and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with conductor Nil Venditti at the helm. He continues to push boundaries, and I have no doubt that he’s inspired many other musicians to follow their musical ideals.” 

Nominate your Changemaker 

If you know an older person like Karl who has defied ageing stereotypes and who has trailblazed in their field, why not nominate them to Age Cymru’s Changemakers project. Your Changemaker will be celebrated alongside Karl in an online exhibition and may be shared on social media and in the press.

For more information about the Changemakers project call Age Cymru on 0300 303 44 98, email gwanwyn@agecymru.org.uk, or visit www.agecymru.org.uk/gwanwyn

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