Owain Arwel Hughes

Conductor, born in Cardiff, S Wales, UK. He studied at University College, Cardiff, and the Royal College of Music, London, and became associate conductor of the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra (1980–6) and the Philharmonia Orchestra, London (1985–90), musical director of the Huddersfield Choral Society (1980–6), and founding artistic director and conductor of the Annual Welsh Proms (1986– ). In 1992 he was the creator and musical director of The World Choir (10 000 male voices), and since 1995 has been principal conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Denmark. He continues to work as a guest conductor for European orchestras.

Owain Arwel Hughes (born 1942) is a Welsh orchestral conductor.

Hughes was born in Cardiff, the son of another successful conductor, Arwel Hughes. He studied at University College, Cardiff, and the Royal College of Music.

He became well-known after a rousing televised performance of William Walton's Belshazzar’s Feast, which won the praise of the composer himself. From 1980 to 1986, he was Associate Conductor of the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, and from 1994 to 1999 he was Principal Conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra.

In 2003, he was appointed Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.