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The Team that keep
the Choir on the straight and narrow
CHAIRMAN.-Vaughan Jenkins
Vaughan joined the Choir in
1977 and is a member of the 1st Bass Section.
This is the 2nd time
in
the history of the choir that Vaughan has been Chairman,
the first time from 1999 to 2001.
He is a farmer
and lives on the farm where
he was born. As a farmer, Vaughan has had no time
for
hobbies except for his beloved choir.
Arthur Brady is the
current Secretary of the Choir. He
was appointed in January 2002, when he took over from Ian Hancox. He
was Secretary for six years prior to 1999, when he decided to give up
the job. Arthur joined the Choir in 1982, and is a member of the 2nd
Bass Section. Since that time, he has served on the Committee as the
2nd Bass Rep. and in 1988 was appointed Chairman after Mr. Bill Morris.
After two years as Chairman, he was appointed a Life Vice-President,
along with his predecessor. In 1999, he was appointed PRO with the
South Wales Branch of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs and is
heavily involved with the Executive Committee. He is also their
Assistant Secretary.
The treasurer for
the choir is Alun Thomas who sings
with the 2nd Tenor section.Alun has the important job of looking after
the pennies,and balancing the books.He has done this job for ten years
now!
When Alun is not singing or looking after the finances,he spends some
of the time left gardening.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR-Richard Stephens
BA(Hons),FVCM(Hons),
ARCM,FRSA,ANCM,MnCMSoc.
Richard began his
conducting career in 1993 at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, conducting a
300-voice choir in aid of Save the Children. In 1994 he became the
chairman of the welsh association of ladies choirs, and did much to
raise the profile of ladies choirs in Wales.
He has conducted no less than seven performances at St David’s
Hall, Cardiff and returns to the rostrum once again in November to
conduct the 50th anniversary gala concert of the British Heart
Foundation, which features massed male voice choirs, Dennis O’
Niell (Tenor) Laura Parfitt (Soprano) and Mark Evans (Baritone).
He studied music with the Open University, gaining first class honours
degree, and also diploma in music. Richard is also a Fellow of the
Victoria College London, and the Royal Society of Arts. Richard
returned to study part time in recent years at the Royal Welsh College
of Music and Drama under visiting tutor Guy Harbottle, where he
specialised in Voice.
He is also in much demand as an organist – both as soloist and
accompanist. He studied the organ for many years, and has accompanied
mixed, male and female choirs in such capacity and has also accompanied
BBC Songs of Praise and broadcast on Radio 3. He has given many organ
recitals in St David’s, Brecon, Llandaff, Exeter, Hereford,
Ghent, Brugges and Oostend Cathedral, and also in the National English
Convent, Bruggue. For 13 years he worked with the RSCM in West
Wales, being area secretary and Education officer. In 2008 he received
an award from the RSCM council in recognition of his service.
Richard is also Director of Music to the United Parish of
Haverfordwest, and resident organist at St Martin’s Church. He is
also MD of his own vocal group, Cantabile; and he is also proud to be
Vice-President of the Maesteg Children’s Choir.
ACCOMPANIST- Peter
Griffiths
Peter has been the
choir’s accompanist since January this year. He began
playing the piano at the age of seven, and the double bass at
thirteen. He undertook a two year course at Cardiff College of
Music & Drama at the age of eighteen, completing his studies at
weekends and in his spare time, whilst holding down a full time job.
Peter
has accompanied the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir before, back in the
seventies. He also accompanied the Milford Haven Operatic Society
for five years. He continues to be the accompanist to Neyland
Ladies Choir and has been playing for them now for sixteen years.
During that time, the Ladies Choir have toured Southern Ireland,
France, Holland, Germany, Canada, Malta and various parts of the
UK. He has also played the piano for Glan Cleddau Folk Dancing
Group and is an active member of Priory Road Methodist Church, Milford
Haven where he has been organist since 1999.
Peter
has many commitments with Churches and Chapels in the area as well as
helping local schools, and in particular, accompanies Peter Totterdale
who is the Tenor Soloist with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.
He was also accompanist to Peter Totterdale for the production of a CD
he made some years ago.
DEPUTY-ACCOMPANIST-Carys
Ann Evans
In September 2003,
Carys joined the musical team of the
Choir as deputy accompanist and brought a breath of youthful fresh air
into the practice room.In 2008 she took over from Wendy Lewis to become
principal accompanist
Carys began her musical career whilst a pupil at
Fishguard Junior
School by studying the harp and piano. After successfully completing a
HND course in Business Administration at the Pembrokeshire College,
Carys worked for the National Farmers Union, but has recently taken up
the position of Regional Development Officer for Pembrokeshire with
" Menter a Busnes", an organisation helping young people have
a
taste of running their own business. The harp has taken Carys to
various parts of Wales from east to west, playing at weddings, concerts
and private functions, to being the resident harpist at the renowned
Celtic Corner in Nolton, here in Pembrokeshire. She also assists with
the Urdd Eisteddfodau, accompanying Cerdd Dant competitions. In 2004,
Carys received the honour of being admitted to the National Eisteddfod
of Wales 'Gorsedd Y Beirdd', where she is known as 'Teleynores Gwaun'.
Unfortunately,last year due to other personal
commitments Carys has had to step down as the choirs principal
accompanist,but continues as deputy,filling in for Peter whenever she
can.
The
Choristers (date of
joining)
| First
Tenors |
Second
Tenors |
First
Bass |
Second
Bass |
| John
Davies
(2008) |
David
Devonald (2008) |
David Barrah
(2008) |
Arthur Brady
(1983) |
| Eurig
Evans
(2003) |
John Evans
(1992) |
Lionel
Berrigan (1991) |
Bill Donovan
(1972) |
| Andrew Evans
(1993) |
Russell
Gould (1983) |
Bill Clow
(1979) |
Colin
Hancock (1992) |
| David
Griffiths (1982) |
George Hind
(1980) |
Haydyn
Davies (1993) |
Ian Hancox
(1996) |
| Robin
Goodridge (2008) |
Martyn Jones
(1989) |
Roger Lamb
(2011) |
Robert
Harper (1999) |
John Hughes
(2010)
|
Peter Kinsey
(1987) |
Neville
Evans (2008) |
Colin Harts
(1993) |
| Ieuan Hughes
(1991) |
Glyn Morgans
(2010) |
John Feehan
(1979) |
Kieth
Jackson (2011 |
| Emlyn Jones
(1974) |
Graham
Owens
(1999) |
Malcolm
Holley (2005) |
Colin Rogers
(2011) |
| Roy
Lewis (1978) |
Alan Price
(1997) |
Ian Hunter
(1987) |
Geoffrey
Payne (1997) |
| Watcyn
Richards (1969) |
Ron
Thomas(1993) |
Vaughan
Jenkins (1977) |
Tony
Rowley (1987) |
|
Alun Thomas
(1991) |
Eifion Lewis
(1988) |
Hilliard
Studdley (1997) |
|
Louis
Warren
(2004) |
William
Miles (2001) |
Malcolm
Thomas (1961) |
|
|
Arwel
Phillips (1985) |
Tony Young
(2008) |
|
|
Phil Rees
(2008) |
Derek Watts
(1987) |
|
|
Ifor Swales
(1956) |
|
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|
Llewellyn Thomas (2011) |
|
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|
|
David Warren
(2010) |
|
|
|
Mike Wiseman
(2002) |
|
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|
Nicky
Wanacott (1979 |
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