These have included Clarence Raybould (1945–1966), Arthur Davison (1967–1990), Elgar Howarth (1991–1995), Christopher Adey (1996–2002), and Owain Arwel Hughes (2003–2010).
Known to its members as the "NASH" the annual residency offers a valuable opportunity for talented musicians to work together with top professionals in an intensive environment, culminating in a series of concerts.
A former member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales, Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys narrated the first-ever Welsh translation of Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra in a NYOW concert at St David's Hall, on 7 August[2] as part of the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.
The 2009 programme included Arwel Hughes Prelude for Orchestra, Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Ballet Suite and Mahler Symphony No.
2011's repertoire included Hilary Tann's From the Feather to the Mountain, Liszt's Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo and Prokofiev's Symphony No.
In the summer of 2017, the orchestra performed Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes and Debussy's La mer.
The 2019 concert season conducted by Andrew Litton opened with Grace Williams’ much loved Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes.
2024's repertoire included Stravinsky's The Firebird, Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites 1 and 2 and Shostakovich's Festive Overture.