THE CONDUCTORS
Emlyn Morgan. 1947-1973. He was appointed as the founder Conductor of the present choir at its inception at Ynyscedwyn colliery. A religious man, he was dedicated to his Family, Chapel & Music. He was the Organist at Ainon Baptist Chapel from the age of 18, a post he held for 45 years, and later a Deacon of the chapel. Emlyn had a natural flair for Musical Interpretation. This was acknowledged in many adjudications the choir received from eminent musicians such as Eric Robinson, Prof. Peter Gellhorn & Dr Albert Tyso. He led the choir to memorable achievements at Eisteddfodau – who can forget The Central Hall
Samuel (Sam) Davies. 1972-1981. A native of Mountain Ash in the Cynon Valley, he was appointed as the Conductor of the choir in 1972. A Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Sam was probably the most dedicated conductor of any male voice choir at that time, travelling over 10,000 miles each year to rehearse the choir. Leaving Cardiff, where he worked in the library of Cardiff University, he would travel by train to Neath and then on to Ystradgynlais twice a week without fail. He carried on the traditions of the choir both in competition work and in concert. Under his leadership, the choir took the prestigious prize at Pontrhydfendigaidd and competed in the National Eisteddfodau at Lliw, Cardigan and Cardiff. He was well connected and respected in the music world and was to start the choir tours to Cornwall linking up with Wilfred Cox and to the London Welsh Festival at the Albert Hall conducted by Roy Bohannah. During his time, the choir also visited Manchester, Worthing, Folkestone, Lydd and many other concert venues. Ill health forced his unfortunate retirement in 1981.
D. Leighton Jenkins. 1982-2000. A native of Penclawdd, Leighton graduated in music from Cardiff University. He became head of music at the local comprehensive school, Maesydderwen. He was appointed Musical Director of the Choir in 1982 and it is due to his dedicated work that the Choir became one of the elite concert choirs in Britain. An accomplished conductor, accompanist, organist and composer, he was in great demand as a conductor of Gymanfa Ganu festivals; last year he celebrated his 25th anniversary as the conductor of the annual Community Carol Service. Outside music, his passion was Bowls; having represented Wales on 30 occasions as well as representing his country at The World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Ill health caused his retirement from Choir duties in 2000. He is still in touch with the Choir however having been appointed The Emeritus Musical Director of the Choir upon his retirement.
Mr Conway Morgan. 1984-Date. A native of Ystradgynlais, Conway is married with a young family. He has been associated with the Choir since his appointment as the Choir's Organist in 1984. He then became the Choir's accompanist and deputy Musical director 1n 1990 before being appointed the Musical director in 2000. He has impressed his own style of leadership on the Choir and has ensured that the Choir are still one of the Concert Elite in Britain.
He is an Honours graduate in music from Cardiff University and is currently head of music at Ysgol Tre-Gib in Llandeilo and the organist at St Cynog's Church Ystradgynlais. He is as well known abroad as he is in Britain as he has led both his pupils from Tre-Gib and the Choir on overseas tours on many occasions; he has crossed "The Pond" no less than 7 times to Canada and the USA where he receives great acclaim. He is also an examiner in music with the Welsh joint Education Committee. His passion outside music is the breeding of Registered Welsh Cobs. Take a look at Conway's web site: http://www.cwmtawe.com
THE DEPUTY CONDUCTORS
Mr R C Davies 1952-1959. A Maintenance fitter in the local watch factory, Rees was an accomplished Bandsman with the Ystradgynlais Public Band He gave great service to the Choir as the Deputy Conductor whenever Emlyn could not be present.
Mr Daniel Morgan. 1960-1975. A native of Ystradgynlais, Danny was the organist and Director of Music at Tabernacle Methodist Chapel. He was a contemporary and friend of Dr Daniel Protheroe who used to send Danny his new compositions from America. On his return visits to Ystradgynlais, Dr Protheroe would then conduct these pieces in concert as Danny would have already rehearsed the chapel choirs (mixed and male voice). As the Deputy Conductor of the Choir, Danny was a hard task master who took sections of the Voice Choir when new compositions were to be learned; by the time he had finished the boys could sing the pieces from memory in SOLFA as well as the words. He accompanied the choir on occasions when Myra was not available. His greatest thrill came from Emlyn's unfortunate illness in 1968 when he led the Choir on their tour to Gelsenkirchen in Germany and in his usual unassuming way he was amazed that Prof. Heinz Schilken the Musical Director of the Leiderkranz Choir insisted on carrying his music.
Mr Stephen J Williams. !976-1978. Stephen, a native of Cwmllynfell, was assistant Music and Welsh teacher at Maesydderwen Comprehensive school. He left this post in 1977 to study Music and became a Fellow of the Welsh College of Music and Drama. He subsequently took his degree in Music and left the area to teach this subject in the South of England.
Mr Conway Morgan 1990-2000. Following his work as Organist to the Choir Conway was appointed the Accompanist and Deputy Musical director in 1990 and served in these capacities until 2000.
The Accompanists.
1947-1978 Myra Jones Davies. .
Douglas Morgan (1967)
1979-1984 Lynne Wilson.
1985-1990 Valerie Williams.
2001-2004 Rhian Stokes.
2004-2006 Hugh Parkman.
The Deputy Accompanists, Associate Accompanists and Organists.
1982-1984 Stephen Evans. Deputy Accompanist.
1985-1991 Conway Morgan. Organist.
1991-1992 Stephen Evans. Organist.
1991-2001 Gloria Lloyd. Associate Accompanist.
1993-2004 Robert Nicholls. Organist.