MORRISTON ORPHEUS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Musical Director
- to BE DOCTOR of MUSIC
Job Titles:
- Vice - President of the Morriston Orpheus Choir Supporters Association
Captain Graham Kneath, a Vice-President of the Morriston Orpheus Choir Supporters Association has died at the age of 78. Graham Kneath had an association with the Morriston Orpheus stretching back over 25 years.
Born on 12 May 1928, Graham Kneath of Denefield, London Road, Crowborough, East Sussex was born and bred in Llangyfelach Road, Swansea, where his father was a steel worker foreman. Graham left School at the age of 16 in 1944 for the Merchant Navy where he trained as a Radio Operator and always came back to Swansea .
Graham was at sea for nine years and travelled all over north Russian on oil tankers serving two years in Hong Kong . He then worked for the Union Castle Line for four years, a glamorous time for a young man. He went to Southern Rhodesia to where he planned to emigrate. He returned to to train himself as a Pilot and as there were no central African airways left in 1957, he joined Silver City Airways at Lydd, ; later, he joined BUA and then British Caledonian with whom he flew for 34 years.
As the Fleet Manager of the DC10, he was chosen to fly the Pope back from Cardiff on his visit to in 1983, at the time the Morriston Orpheus Choir was chosen to provide a musical welcome for the Pontiff. This was Graham's introduction to an abiding interest in the Choir through Gwyn Bailey, who was put in contact because of Gwyn's work in Hospital Radio and his efforts to help a patient play a record for his Brother in law! From this small start Graham developed a life long devotion to the Morriston Orpheus. Living in East Sussex , he was unable to attend concerts as much as he wanted, but managed to persuade the Orpheus Committee to bring the Choir to Tunbridge Wells on two occasions to sing to the Hospice in the Weald, both events being received with great enthusiasm. New friends were made! Graham's English wife, Shirley, is equally involved and has learned the Welsh National Anthem, so she can join in the MOCSA concerts.
When British Caledonian was taken over by British Airways he was delighted to receive a letter from Lord King for 35 years of devoted service.
He ran a Sunday school at St Johns Church Crowborough teaching 63 children without any previous formal experience.
Graham had been ill with Bone terminal cancer since 1988. He characteristically left instructions for a big party for all his friends, having died peacefully. He was noted for his fund of humorous anecdotes even to the extent of sending friends lists of jokes by e-mail.
"As a Training Captain and Test pilot Graham Kneath powerfully influenced others with his expertise" said Clive Williams, spokesman for the Morriston Orpheus Choir. "Graham was a modest man; he hated being told he was good at anything. He will be fondly remembered as a kind and considerate man and a MOCSA fanatic and Swansea boy through and through"
The funeral service is next Friday, 13 October 2006, a family cremation only, followed by a celebration of his life at St Johns Church, Crowborough at 2.30 p.m. Family flowers only, donations if desired to the Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury. Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4TA .
A CD of Graham´s beloved "Orpheus" is to be played at the Church service.
Job Titles:
- Life Member of the Morriston Orpheus Choir
Daniel John Hughes, one of the oldest life members of the Morriston Orpheus Choir, has died at the age of 96.
Danny, as he was affectionately known, was born in May 1911, the first born son of John and Elizabeth Hughes. From that day on Danny's life was filled with Music. As a young boy in Pentrepoeth School, Morriston, Swansea, he became a member of the School Choir under the Direction of the late Ivor Sims, the founder of the Morriston Orpheus Choir.
During the war Danny was called up and became an Orderly based mainly in Italy where we are sure he found some of the talented Italian Singers with whom he could compare notes. After the war he returned home and joined his Uncle in business in Morriston, Swansea and remained there for a few years until he later became an employee of the Steel Company of Wales in Felindre, Swansea. There he was in charge of the Stores until he retired at the age of sixty-five.
The first thing he did when he returned home from Italy was to join the Morriston Orpheus Choir under the direction of the late Ivor Sims where he remained until he was over eighty. Danny and his late brother Cyril, who also became a member, were strong in their togetherness when practising their choir pieces in the home of Cyril and family, thus bringing the sound of song into the lives of his two nephews Rowland and Christopher and of course their mother Barbara.
"Danny came from a family where male voice choirs and competitions were their life blood" said Clive Williams, spokesman for the Morriston Orpheus Choir. "Initially, Danny, his brother Cyril, along with cousins were members of the Morriston United Choir, but joined the Orpheus when the two Morriston choirs united after the last war. As a family, they were all baritones, and Danny was accused of being a traitor to the family tradition when he transferred to the bottom bass section later in life".
Danny's charismatic personality was the key to his popularity. On one occasion during the Choir's appearance in London, Princess Alexandra sought him out knowing it was his eightieth birthday and she had met him previously. She asked members of the Choir "Where is the Birthday Boy?"'. She met up with him eventually and took his hand in hers and wished him a Happy Birthday. They then had a long chat which was a moment Danny never forgot. "That was a moment in time when his charisma impressed a Royal Person" said Barbara Hughes.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Morriston Orpheus Choir
Dennis Charles Owen, a long serving member of the Morriston Orpheus Choir has died at the age of 75.
Eric Gaukroger came to Morriston from Halifax with his parents when he was three years old. He showed a remarkable musical ability for a very young age and his parents arranged for him to have music lessons with Mr.J.D.Rees FRCO who was organist at Llansamlet Church and the first accompanist of Morriston Orpheus Choir.
When he was sixteen he played the piano as one of a nine-piece band in the Park hall, Swansea, in the evenings, and stayed there until 1941 when he was called up for the Air Force. He trained as a pilot, completing his training in America and Canada. He then flew Spitfires in Burma.
After he was demobbed he went to seek work in London. He freelanced there for some time doing very well as could play the piano, all woodwind instruments and brass instruments.
Owing to difficulty with pronouncing his name he changed it to Eric Rogers. He married a Swansea girl and had two sons by her but later they were to be divorced.
After a period freelancing he formed his own orchestra and took them to play at the Trocadero in Shaftsbury Avenue, where he remained for some time. He then started arranging music and soon became very well known for his expertise. He left the Trocadero and then worked at arranging music for the ballet at the London Palladium
When the post of Musical Director at the Palladium became vacant it was offered to him and he accepted. He stayed in this post for many years and as Musical Director was also Resident Conductor of the Palladium Orchestra. Eventually he ended his association with the Palladium so that he could concentrate on composing and arranging music for records and films. If you watch the ‘Carry On' films you will see ‘Music arranged by Eric Rogers'.
In the late 1950s he married one of the ‘Bluebell girls' and as the bride's father was infirm she was given away by Max Bygraves.
He was the instigator of the Morriston Orpheus first making records, bringing a group of Decca personnel to Morriston for the purpose.
He was also very proud to have Decca make a record of ‘ D.J.Rees at the Organ,' which he felt repaid all his the help he had been given by this gentleman.
He conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when they played Bernstein's music and when the Frank Chaksfield Orchestra played the popular New York medley - Eric arranged the music. One of the most popular tunes he wrote was the signature tune of the TV show, ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium'.
Sadly he died in 1981 at the age of 59 - a real professional.
An obituary from the Morriston Other Times ( probably sometime in 1981). Eric Rogers was instrumental in bringing the Decca recording company to Morriston to make the first commercial recordings of the Choir. Here is the first LP recorded by the Choir in 1958
Sadly, Evan passed away on 13th May 2009. This special feature was written in April 2009 to mark his appointment as a Vice-President of the Morriston Orpheus Choir, his retirement as Engagement Secretary, his work as a Vice-President of MOCSA and his unique
Job Titles:
- Vice President Morriston Orpheus Choir
Roy Pugh was born in 1932 in Gelli in the Rhondda Fawr (Roy insists the "Fawr" is important) and spent his early life in Cwmparc. He was employed at Parc Colliery before joining the RAF. It was during this period when on leave from an RAF posting in Germany that he met the young lady who was to become his soulmate and the love of his life, Olive. When his period of service in the RAF ended, Roy returned to the Rhondda. In 1957 the two events which were to fashion the rest of his life took place. He married Olive, and joined the Glamorgan Constabulary. In 1969 Roy was posted outside the Rhondda, to Neath, having been promoted to Sergeant, and it was in Neath that the pair made their permanent home, and where Roy still lives today.
In 1974, along with a fellow Rhondda "deserter", Ray Smith, Roy joined the Morriston Orpheus Choir, Roy as a second tenor, Ray as a baritone. This was the beginning of probably the second major factor in Roy's life. In 1978, he became the Choir's registrar, and this was followed in 1981 when he was elected to be the Choir's general secretary, a post he initially held for 20 years. During that period the Choir's general secretary's duties included tours, TV and radio engagements, recordings and photocopying, which are now carried out by designated officers. He resigned as general secretary in 2001, but took up the cudgels again in 2011. He takes great pride as well in being the Choir's archivist/annalist, and has served as the Choir's Social secretary for 8 years.
During the periods when he has held these positions, Roy has organised tours to West Berlin (3 times), France (2 times) North America (2 times) Spain and Eire. He also made the domestic arrangements for the Choir's participation in special events such as the Royal Fireworks at Hyde Park, the Pope's visit to Wales and the appearance with the "Alarm" on the Terry Wogan Show in Hammersmith. In addition, he organised the Choir celebration dinner/dances for the 1985 Golden Jubilee and the 1995 and 2010 Anniversary celebrations. Up until her untimely death in 2007, Olive was Roy's inseparable partner in all aspects of his life, and this was especially true of her contribution to the Choir. In many respects she was his co secretary.
During his time in the Choir Roy has sung under 5 conductors (Lynn Harry, Leslie Ryan, Alwyn Humphreys, Sian Pearce, and Joy Amman Davies), 6 accompanists and countless committee members. He quite rightly claims that one of the most important requirements for a successful secretary of any organisation is diplomacy and the ability to deal with the diverse characteristics and characters which you will find in an organisation such as the Choir with over 100 members. Roy has certainly been successful in this.
When asked, what were the highlights of his time in the Choir, Roy has particular memories of his first tour of North America in 1975. The flight from Cardiff to New York was diverted at the last minute to Newark because of an "incident". It was Roy's first flight and his first visit outside Europe. What a way to begin! He also has fond memories of all the tours, the prestigious venues the Choir has sang in throughout the world, sharing the stage with world famous artistes, Royal events, recording at Abbey Road studios and his involvement with the Young Welsh Singer of the Year competition. He also highlighted the many friends made both inside and outside the Choir, in particular Dr Wally Landers from Hamilton in Ontario, and Major Sir Michael Parker KCVO, CBE.
Being a successful secretary of an organisation like the Morriston Orpheus takes a great amount of time and effort. Roy has however also managed to fulfil numerous roles within MOCSA, the Choir's Supporters Association of which he is currently the Secretary. His contribution there has previously been recognised with the Association making him a Vice President. It doesn't stop there however as Roy is an avid supporter of the Ospreys whom he follows on many of their continental visits. He was Chairman and Secretary of the local branch of CAMRA, and also takes a keen interest in family history.
Partaking actively in all these activities would be taxing to younger and fitter individuals. That Roy has managed all these while suffering quite badly from arthritis speaks very highly of a very special man, and it is the Morriston Orpheus' fortune to have had such a person in its ranks for the past 40 years.