Popular
conductor stands down after 24 years
Baton
handed over by choir’s leader 
The
conductor of a popular and award winning choir recently
stood down after 24 years of service. Maldwyn Parry,
the leader of Dyffryn Nantlle’s Lleisiau Mignedd
choir is to be succeeded by his deputy – Ceren
Owen.
The
female voice choir have seen a number of successes
since it formed in January 1982 including wins at
the National Eisteddfod and Celtic music festivals.
They have also made several television appearances
on popular programmes including Noson Lawen and Dechrau
Canu Dechrau Canmol.
In
March 1997 the choir performed at a concert at Engedi
Chapel in Caernarfon alomngside Cor Meibion Dwyfor
and opera legend Bryn Terfel, and in 2001 released
their first CD on the Sain label, titled Cerdded
Ar Hyd Y Llethrau to mark its 21st birthday.
Malwyn,
76, who had been conductor of the choir since its
infancy said he would maintain his links and had
many fond memories of his time at the helm. He told
the Herald: "I joined the choir three months
after they first got together. We have had so much
fun. The highlights for me include winning in the
National Eisteddfod and going to Ireland to compete
three or four times."
"I
had been a conductor for the Dyffryn Nantlle Mixed
Voice Choir some years before joining Lleisiau Mignedd
and it was a challenge. Unfortunately I have had
to give up due to Parkinsons and my heart is not
as it should be. Ceren has taken over as she was
the deputy conductor and it was natural she should
do so. The choir has grown over the years from around
12 when I started to nearly 30 when I left. We also
had the honour of performing alongside Bryn Terfel.
I will keep in contact with the choir – it
would be difficult not to after all these years," he
added.
Nesta
Jones, chairwoman, said "It is an emotional
time and we will be hosting a dinner on November
18 to say thank you to Maldwyn for his work and also
to welcome Ceren. Lleisiau Mignedd has continued
to grow and following the Eisteddfod this year eight
new members have joined bringing the choir to 37
members now."
Ceren,
originally from Penygroes but now living in Caernarfon
said the role was tough but she was enjoying the
challenge. The Ysgol Pen y Bryn, Bethesda, headteacher
said: "After the Eisteddfod, Maldwyn decided
he couldn’t carry on and hoped I could take
over. It was a tough decision for me to make as I
know it is a busy choir. We have got two recording
sessions for BBC Cymru radio coming up in December,
one of which will be broadcast in the run up to Christmas
and the other in the new year."
"I
have a lot of family in the choir, including my mother,
two sisters and cousins, so sometimes I have to pick
on my family! I enjoy working with Nesta and Gareth
the accompanist," she added.
Original
article by Lee Roberts, Caernarfon & Denbigh
Herald -
November 17th 2005
Photograph by Arwyn Roberts |
