Following on from his post on D T Davies, Carl Llewellyn has posted a tribute to another of Merthyr’s musical legends – Glynne Jones
Gofio un o Feibion Enwog Dowlais
by Carl Llewellyn
I would like to pay a small tribute to Glynne Jones a local character and a well-known musician through out the principality and beyond.
Glynne Jones was born on 7 November 1927 at No 3, Glendower Street, Dowlais, the home of his grandparents David & Margaret Jones, who originally kept a small shop on Pant Road near to the La Bodega restaurant, but known to locals as the Slipper. Glynne was the eldest son of David and Annie May Jones, and was brought up with his younger brother Degwel, and sister Margaret.
The Jones family were staunch members of Moriah Welsh Baptist Chapel, that once stood in Mount Pleasant Street, Dowlais. Sadly like most chapels the building is no more. Glynne’s religious background was nurtured at home with his father and an uncle, both deacons in Moriah Chapel. With Glynne’s musical talent it was no surprise when he became the chapel organist, a post he held from 1940 until 1963.
Educated at Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School later becoming a graduate of the University College Cardiff, after his national service days, he became music master at the Old County Grammar School, where he formed a children’s choir to sing Handel’s Messiah. Glynne conducted the Merthyr Philharmonic Choir 1955-1961. Following early success with the Merthyr Philharmonic Choir and the Silurian Singers he became the Musical Director of Pendyrus Male Choir in 1962.
He was appointed Musical Adviser for Monmouthshire in 1965 and became Senior Music Adviser for Gwent from 1973 to 1990. Among his many achievements can be listed: prestigious conducting engagements on three continents; numerous radio and television broadcasts in Welsh and English; the musical direction of the BBC film “Off to Philadelphia in the Morning” in 1978, and the establishment of the Newport International Piano Competition.
In 1980 Merthyr Tydfil celebrated the 1500th anniversary of the death of its patron, Saint Tydfil the Martyr. A combined concert with Dowlais, Cefn-Coed, Treharris and Ynysowen Choirs was arranged at the Rhydycar Leisure Center on 5 October. with Glynne Jones being invited as the guest conductor. The guest artists at the concert were Stuart Burrows, tenor; Beti Jones, soprano and Huw Tregelles Williams at the organ.
Glynne’s lifelong commitment to Welsh music in education and the community was recognized by a Fellowship of the Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1994, and the award of the MBE in 1996.
Sadly Glynne died unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2000. In Glynne’s lifetime S4C produced a documentary on his musical background, as a mark of respect it was shown again after his death.
Please check back soon for Carl Llewellyn’s account of Glynne Jones’ memorial service
We didn’t just sing Messiah, either at the County School! When we sang Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicholas at Christmas 1964, it caused a sensation (and was certainly a first for the area!). We repeated the concert the following spring in the Rhondda, given hospitality in the homes of Pendyrus members for our tea between rehearsal and concert. I have never forgotten this – and have thought of it on each of the – by now, fairly numerous – times I have sung it since.
Mr. Jones Music (we had a number of Jones teachers…) is a man I shall never forget, and shall always be grateful for the opportunities he gave us. And he advised me to sing contralto – a great move. Thank you, Sir!
On his birthday I remember Glynne as the teacher who changed my life. I had been in the County for two terms when he arrived, like a whirlwind, just after Easter 1955.
He auditioned for the choir by hearing three singers at a time – yes, no, no! On Friday evenings about half the school would come back at 6.00pm for Choir practice. Thanks to Glynne I learned all the major oratorios – and I am still singing aged 77.
He was amazingly naughty! He once was giving a talk attended by my mother and my aunt after I had left Merthyr. He walked down the aisle, grabbed my mother by the shoulder saying: ‘Her daughter …’ scaring Mam. ‘Her daughter is the only person I ever taught who,passed O-level Music without being able to play an instrument!’ (I did sight singing).
It was with great pride I represented the County School and spoke at Glynne’s funeral.