Bridgend Male Choir Presidents

When Max Boyce crossed the Rhigos Mountains from his home in Glynneath in 1973, to record an album 'Live at Treorchy Rugby Club', little did he know it would change his life. He had already recorded some of his earlier songs at the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe and when EMI heard the album and subsequently saw Max perform live in concert, he was invited to sign a contract to record two live albums of his songs and stories. Without almost any rehearsal, the songs and stories were recorded.The audience were given the tickets after failing to sell them for fifty pence each! Max at the time was virtually unknown.  He had, however, deliberately chosen to perform to an audience that was unfamiliar with his work to ensure the reaction was spontaneous and real - the rest is history.  

Shân was born in Ffarmers, Llanwrda, West Wales and graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She has been a professional soloist since 1995, the year in which she won the Blue Riband at the National Eisteddfod. She is a versatile performer with an extensive repertoire and is equally at home in opera, oratorio, contemporary music and music theatre.

Her BAFTA award winning self-titled music series for Channel 4 Wales ran for two successful seasons and was nominated for the best music programme in the Montreux Festival. Other television appearances include being a soloist in ‘Music Under the Stars’ with Bryn Terfel and Michael Ball from the Faenol Festival, soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Bryn Terfel for Channel 4 Wales, soloist in Proms in the Park for BBC Wales, soloist in Royal Gala from the opening weekend of the Wales Millennium Centre on BBC 4, presenting the L’Orient Inter-Celtic Music Festival for Channel 4 Wales, and appearing as a panelist in the ‘Just Up Your Street’ talent show and ‘The Lyrics Game’ both for BBC Wales.

In 2005, Shân made her television acting debut playing the role of Davina Roberts in the highly successful drama series ‘Con Passionate’ for Channel 4 Wales and was nominated in the “Best Newcomer” category at the 2006 BAFTA Cymru awards. Filming on a third series of ‘Con Passionate’ begins next year.

Shân performed the role of Carlotta in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End production of The Phantom of the Opera for fifteen months in Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. In 2006 Shân sang the role of Mary Roberts in the new Welsh musical by Mal Pope and Frank Vickery, Amazing Grace, on tour with the Wales Theatre Company.

Concert highlights include being a soloist in ‘Glamorous Night’ a tribute to Ivor Novello performed at the Novello Theatre, London, the Wales Millennium Centre, and in San Francisco, performing in both the opening and closing concerts of the inaugural International Festival of Music Theatre in Cardiff, a tour of Britten’s Les Illuminations with the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, a St David’s Day celebration concert to celebrate the life of Dylan Thomas in New York and leading the singing of the National Anthem in front of 72,000 spectators at an international football match at the Millennium Stadium. In 2005 Shân toured Wales with her critically acclaimed show ‘Cothi & Cream’ with the male group ‘Only Men Aloud’. Shân is a frequent guest on Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ with the BBC Concert Orchestra and a popular soloist in Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert series ‘Here Come the Classics’. In 2007, Shan made her debut as a soloist at the Welsh Proms, in a concert of film music with RPO conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.

Her debut album Passione with the Welsh National Chamber Orchestra features international harpist Catrin Finch. A promotional video of one of the tracks was recently voted Most Wanted Video on Classic FM television. Shân currently hosts her own radio shows for both Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.

Huw Edwards is known to millions of viewers as main presenter of the BBC’s flagship 10 O’Clock News. He joined the BBC over twenty years ago and has presented a wide range of programmes, many of them of a hugely prestigeous nature. He spent over a decade reporting politics at Westminster, including a period as Chief Political Correspondent. He has also presented a range of programmes on history and classical music on BBC Four, BBC Two, Radio 3, Radio 4 and S4C. He is currently working on a number of projects.
An enthusiastic pianist and organist, Huw has enjoyed a long association with the renowned Cardiff Singer of the World competition. He continues to host the final at St David’s Hall.  
Born at Bridgend, Huw was brought up in Llangennech and attended Llanelli Grammar School. He graduated in French from the University of Wales, Cardiff. An Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales, he has recently been appointed Honorary Professor of Journalism at Cardiff University. He lives in London with his wife and five children.

Karl Jenkins, OBE was raised in Penclawdd. Having made his mark in jazz & advertising music, his Adiemus project topped classical & pop charts around the world, gaining 17 platinum or gold album awards. The Armed Man gained gold disc status and Requiem was No 1 in the UK classical charts. He is in Classic FM's Hall of Fame, awarded the highest position for a living composer. A Fellow of many colleges, he became a Doctor of Music at the University of Wales in 2006. His OBE was awarded in the 2005 New Year Honours List.

Until his appointment to the WRU, Roger was perhaps best known for his glittering career in music and the media. Having worked as a professional musician, Roger spent eight years in the record industry with EMI, before becoming Worldwide President of the Decca group. He has worked with an array of eminent artists including Pavarotti, Sir Simon Rattle and Vanessa-Mae. During his eight years as Managing and Programme Controller of Classic FM, he received many awards and launched a new Classic FM record label. Most recently, he was Managing Director of ITV Wales and his Chairmanships include the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Millennium Centre.

Choir President Trevor Veasey is Managing Director of Brynwood Holdings Limited. He is coincidentally also President of Bryncethin Rugby Football Club, proving that the archetypical Welshman has a love of both music and rugby. Trevor lives at Ogmore-by-Sea and is proud of his Choir association.

Llanelli born David is a former Chief Constable of South Wales Police and former Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. He is thrilled to be a Choir Vice President, as he knows so many choristers personally. He and his wife Gloria live at Ogmore-by-Sea.

Appointed a Vice President in 2006, Carwyn Jones is the Welsh Assembly Member for Bridgend.  First elected in 1999, Carwyn was previously a barrister as well as a professional law tutor at Cardiff University.  Raised in Bridgend, Carwyn lives locally with wife, Lisa, and their two young children, Seren and Ruairi.  He enjoys sport, reading and travel.

On May 5th I stood as the Labour candidate for the Bridgend constituency in the General Election. On the morning of May 6th, I was standing in the House of Commons, the elected Member of Parliament for Bridgend.  They say a week is a long time in Politics – but what a life-changing 24 hours that was. I almost burst into song – but instead agreed to be Vice President of Bridgend Male Choir!

Huw is the son of tenor chorister & afterglow impresario, John Morgan. A former musician, he is the Principal of a major insurance business. His significant contribution to the setting up & maintenance of this website is hugely appreciated. Huw  lives with his wife and three children at Mumbles.

Paul is a long time follower of Bridgend Male Choir and is proud to be a Vice President. He is Managing Director of PORTERS Estate Agents, which has branches in Bridgend and Cardiff. Paul has been a Justice of the Peace since 1982 and lives with his wife, Lynne at Ogmore-by-Sea.

Vince  lived in the Bridgend/ Porthcawl area  for 40 years. He worked  in British Steel for 44 years and  became a Senior Manager. He has been involved with Welsh Choirs for many years. Vince and his wife Margaret now live in Alicante, but his love for choirs has grown stronger.

Norman Thomas served in the Royal Signals for 5 years in the Second World War seeing service in India and Europe.  He went into the Licensing Trade in 1951 where he worked for 32 years taking over the Red Dragon Hotel in Bridgend in 1963.  He retired in 1983 and lives with his wife, Frances, in Coity.  He has been a Vice President since 1984.