Merthyr Tydfil Ladies Choir - Welcome / Musical Team

` Merthyr Tydfil Ladies Choir

The choir was formed in 1978 by Elwyn Morgan and was first called Penydarren Ladies Choir. We currently have 40 members and we have developed a large and varied repertoire, from Classical to Pop, and from Sacred to Secular music. The choir has given many performances within Merthyr Tydfil and the Valleys, and a wide variety of venues throughout the United Kingdom. We have also performed in Merthyr's twin town, Glichy La Garenne, near Paris.

THE MUSICAL TEAM

CONDUCTOR

Mr Ian Hopkins

Ian succeeded Elwyn Morgan as conductor of the then Penydarren Ladies Choir in 1985. He had previously been an assistant conductor with Dowlais Male Choir, and had led Cyfartha High School mixed choir to victory in two consecutive Rhymney Valley ''Semi-National'' eisteddfodau, competing against adult choirs. He had also achieved a good degree of success with a variety of school choirs at Local, County and National levels in the Urdd eisteddfodau.

The choir has, under his baton, sung in many venues in the South and West of England and Wales, and in Clichcy La Garenne, Merthyr Tydfil's 'Twin-Town' in France. A recent highlight was a premiere of accompanist Matthew Woodford's 'Lux Aeterna' in November 2010 in Gloucester Cathedral.

Ian is a former Head of Mathematics at Cyfartha High School. He is also a Chaplain for Merthyr Town Centre and sings Bass in St David's Church Choir.

Mr Matthew Woodford.Dip LCM, Dip ABRSM, LRSM

ACCOMPANIST

Matthew Woodford DipLCM (Piano), DipABRSM (Piano), LRSM (Piano)

ALCM (Singing)

Matthew studied for his undergraduate degree in music at the University of Cambridge 2005-2008, followed by a postgraduate degree in Composition at Cardiff University in 2009 , where is currently in his second year of studying with Robert Fokkens for a PhD in Composition.

Matthew is Organist and Choirmaster at St David's Church in Merthyr Tydfil, and also accompanies the Pontypridd Choral Society.

As a tenor he sings with the Swansea Bach Choir and Cardiff University Chamber Choir, and studies singing with John Hugh Thomas, OBE.

Matthew has accompanied the Merthyr Tydfil Ladies Choir for 3 years and has dedicated a piece of music to them called 'Lux Aeterna'.