| | 
Bridgend Male Choir Musical ProfessionalsThe Bridgend Male Choir are fortunate to have extremely high quality Musical Direction, from Mr John Jenkins BA, FTCL, ARCM, LTCL, MTC of Clydach, Swansea and Deputy Musical Director, David Hutchings BMus, MA Musicology. The Accompanists of the Choir are Laura Smith BMus (Hons) MA Music Therapy, DipABRSM, HPC Registered Music Therapist, MAPMT and Scott Williams (Organ). In May 2011 the team was further strengthened with the appointment of Stephanie Bailey BA (Hons) Music, PGCE as an additional Accompanist. Cheryl Jones, BA (Hons) continues to support the Choir as a Guest Accompanist, when work commitments permit. Please read more about each of them below.Musical DirectorJohn Jenkins
John Jenkins BA, FTLC, ARCM, LTCL, MTC was born in Neath, South Wales, read music at University College Cardiff and London University; and gained performance and teaching diplomas on trumpet, studying at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music.
As a conductor, John has worked with the Bristol Sinfonia, the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble, members of the BBC National Orchestra for Wales and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. He founded both the Swansea Sinfonia and the Neath Symphony Orchestra and has conducted all over the country as well as in Germany, Denmark, Austria, Australia and the USA. He has appeared with many famous artists including Campoli, Sir Geraint Evans, Max Boyce, Nigel Kennedy and Julian Lloyd Webber.
Since his appointment as conductor of the Bridgend Male Choir in 2002, John is delighted to have seen the Choir grow by over 25%. He regards the Choir’s performance at Worcester Cathedral and the winning performance at the Newport National Eisteddfod as two of the highlights of his entire musical career, and is proud to be part of the development of this outstanding group of men.
Deputy Musical Director/ Deputy AccompanistDavid HutchingsDavid was born in Brighton and now lives in Cardiff. He studied at Cardiff University gaining an MA in Musicology and Bachelor of Music. He currently works as a freelance musician and is taking further instruction in conducting.
David is the Musical Director of Cantorion Pontyclun Ladies Choir and also joins Teifi Chamber Orchestra, a community amateur chamber orchestra based at Rhosygilwyn from September 2010, the same month he links up with Bridgend Male Choir. Already an accomplished musician, he welcomes the opportunity to work with Bridgend's well respected music team.
All at Bridgend Male Choir look forward to working with him and to a long and happy relationship.
Accompanist (Piano)Laura Smith Laura Smith BMus (Hons), MA Music Therapy, DipABRSM, HPC Registered Music Therapist, MAPMT Laura is a qualified Music Therapist, with a passion for using music to help children and adults with physical, social, emotional and/or psychological difficulties as a result of congenital condition or acquired trauma.
Laura gained her BMus (Hons) Degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2007 after 4 yrs of extensive piano studies with Michael Young BA MMus ARCM. Laura joined the music staff at Bridgend Male Choir in October 2006.Since then she has enjoyed a prime role in accompanying the Choir wherever it travels. Memorable engagements include the tour to s'Hertogenbosch, Holland (2008); the 50th Anniversary CD recording (2009), performances in St David's Hall and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, together with concerts accompanying Glyndebourne soprano, Helen-Jane Howells. 2010 is also the year when Laura first entertained with solo items at a Choir Concert to an appreciative audience at Clifton Cathedral.
As well as being a proficient pianist, Laura is also a brass band enthusiast. She recently joined the persussion section of the Tredegar Town Band at the All England International Masters, where the Band axchieved a most creditable second place.
Described by the Choir President as a huge talent, Laura is much appreciated by all associated with Bridgend Male Choir.
Accompanist (Piano)Stephanie Bailey Stephanie was born in the village of Skewen, near Neath. In her early years, she gained much experience in becoming an accomplished performer, accompanying various local children and youth choirs by the age of 13 and progressing to participate in music competitions and performances. As an undergraduate Music student at University, Stephanie studied Piano under the direction of concert pianist Dennis Lee, and with a Grade 8 ABRSM Distinction in Singing, Stephanie was selected to perform in a specially formed choir ‘Camerata’ who made television appearances on the BBC.
She graduated with a BA(Hons) Music in 1998 followed by a PGCE in 2000. She has enjoyed teaching piano and singing since the age of 18 and has become an experienced accompanist for soloists, choirs and ABRSM music examinations. Stephanie has also spent time teaching classes and individuals at the Forte School of Music. She was delighted to receive an invitation to join with the World Champion Black Dyke Brass Band in concert at St David’s Hall, Cardiff in 2005.
Stephanie joined the ‘Llantrisant Male Choir’ in February 2008 and has enjoyed accompanying them in various venues, including the prestigious Christchurch Priory, Bournemouth; St David’s Hall, Cardiff; and more recently the Salon Varieties Theatre, Fuengirola, Spain. She also assists the Musical Director by conducting rehearsals and was delighted to conduct the choir in concert with Iris Williams at the Swansea Grand Theatre in May 2011. Stephanie is also accompanist to ladies choir ‘Cantorion Pontyclun’. It has been a pleasure for her to also accompany soloists Simone Rebello, Wynne Evans (Gio Compario!) and Mark Evans in concert. She currently enjoys teaching and performing music on a professional basis.
In May 2011, Stephanie was appointed as an additional Accompanist to Bridgend Male Choir, enjoying her role within the music team, and working with the choir.
Accompanist (Organ)Scott Willams Born in 1980 at Neath, Scott studied at the University of Bath where he attained a Master of Mathematics Degree - MMath (Hons). His musical career started as a chorister at St Mary's, Nolton in Bridgend, where he now continues with the parish as a relief organist for both Nolton and Coity Churches. Scott's father, Dennis, is a very popular member of the tenor section of the Choir.
Scott first performed with Bridgend Male Choir at a concert in Leatherhead, Surrey in October 2008. Since then he has given a number of concert performances with the Choir, culminating in May 2009 being involved with the recording of its 50th Anniversary CD, "Classic Male". His performance on the magnificent St David's Hall, Cardiff organ added greatly to the 2009 Cancer Research Wales concert with the Choir, BTM Band, Denis O'Neill and Laura Parfitt.
A recent press review included that "the Choir is nurturing Scott Williams, a young organist from Bridgend who extended and swelled the sound in the well known hymn, Morte Criste, adding that needed depth to the verse, "Were the whole realm of nature mine". Choristers look forward to a long and happy relationship with this talented young musician.
Guest Accompanist (Piano)Cheryl JonesBorn and educated in Lampeter, Cheryl Jones BA(Hons) now lives in Cardiff and works as a freelance sound recordist and private tutor. Despite her busy schedule she continues to fulfil her role as accompanist of the Choir. She attended the Welsh College of Music and Drama (WCMD) and gained a BA(Hons) studying under Simon Shewring and Julian Jacobson. At the College, Cheryl gained many awards and performed regularly as a soloist and accompanist for the critically acclaimed Cardiff Bay Chamber Orchestra. She was also a member of the WCMD Piano Trio, working closely with the Brodsky Quartet. Cheryl first performed with the Bridgend Male Choir whilst at the WCMD, and she has since accompanied them on their tours to Southern France, Canada, Jersey and Germany.
| |