Putting Welsh music on the global stage
David John Roche (BMus 2012) is a musician and composer from Tredegar in south Wales. Since studying at Cardiff University, he’s built an international career showcasing music shaped by where he grew up to audiences across the world.
Described as direct, determined, and loud, David’s work draws on heavy metal, lush orchestral music, and his working-class Welsh background.
That distinctive sound has found a global platform. His work has been performed by leading ensembles worldwide, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Brazilian National Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, Britten Sinfonia, Tanglewood Music Centre, the National Youth Guitar Ensemble, Uproar Ensemble, Solem Quartet, and the International Guitar Foundation amongst others.
It’s no surprise then, that David was named a winner in the ‘Wales to the World’ category at the Cardiff University 30(ish) Alumni Awards in 2025. A recognition of the impact his work has had in putting Welsh music, quite literally, on an international stage.
Growing up in the Valleys, David felt the pull of Cardiff’s music scene early on. The city’s packed gig calendars and creative energy made it a natural choice when it came time to study music.
“From the largest pop, metal and rock acts to the biggest international opera stars, to underground bands, to strange avant garde music all in one place – Cardiff really had everything.”
For David, this immersion wasn’t just social (although there was quite a lot of that!) – it was formative.
“I loved that I could go to a concert in St David’s Hall, then head to Barfly for a gig, and then finish the night watching local talent in Live Lounge. The music scene in Cardiff at the time was immersive and intense, and such a great way to engage with the world of music.”
But it was more than the city’s music credentials that drew him to Cardiff. The reputation of Cardiff University’s School of Music – and the way he was treated as an applicant – made it clear this was where he belonged.
“I knew I wanted to perform and I knew I wanted to write, but I wasn’t sure about what course to study. But I felt when I applied to Cardiff, they took me seriously. They replied to my emails, they answered my questions – it made me feel like it was somewhere I could go to learn. It was refreshing at the time.”
While David embraced the social side of student life, it was the academic training that laid the foundations for his career.
“My time at Cardiff completely transformed everything for me. The standard of education far outstripped anything I had before or after it. My tutors were really invested and engaged, and the support went beyond music. They took the time to guide me through the practical things too. From CVs and job applications to understanding the administrative and professional skills that shape the life of a freelancer.”
“They helped me go further in education and get into prestigious universities, as well as make connections to the wider music-making world. With their support, I got into things that would become the cornerstones of my career.”
“My tutors helped me go from a guy in his flat writing music on his computer, to someone whose work could be performed by orchestras internationally. I have a traceable line from my success today, back to Cardiff University.”
Today, David’s work is reframing what Welsh music can sound like – and where it belongs – while remaining firmly rooted in the place he grew up.
His compositions span symphonies, concertos, chamber works and genre-blurring collaborations that reflect both his classical training and his love of rock and metal. In 2024, his first symphony Everything You Ever Wanted (And More) premiered to sold-out audiences, while Chorus in Alto – a hybrid classical/electric guitar concerto co-commissioned by Sinfonia Cymru and Britten Sinfonia and written for Grammy-nominated guitarist Sean Shibe – toured the UK with broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Wales.
For David, Cardiff University and the city that welcomed him provided more than training. It gave him community, connection and confidence – laying the foundations for a career that would put him, and Welsh music in the international spotlight.
“The city and the University gave me what I needed in my heart. It was by far one of the best choices I ever made.”
David John Roche (BMus 2012)
The 30(ish) Awards
The 30(ish) Awards celebrate the change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers in the Cardiff University alumni community.
