Alwyn Humphreys M.B.E

Described by the Secretary of State for Wales as 'A legend - not only a credit to the world of music, but to the Welsh nation’, Alwyn Humphreys is Conductor Emeritus of the internationally-acclaimed Morriston Orpheus Choir having stepped down as Musical Director earlier this year after 25 years. During that time he conducted 623 concerts, made 28 recorded albums (three of which won ‘Best Choral Record‘ awards, with another two gaining Silver Discs), countless TV appearances, and travelled extensively with the choir to France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Canada, the USA, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and most recently the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Among the most notable performances were ones at Carnegie Hall, New York and the Sydney Opera House, both concerts achieving 5 standing-ovations.

Born in Bodffordd, Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, Alwyn was Principal Violist of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales before graduating with honours in music at the University of Hull and Trinity College London.

His musical arrangements for male choir, now numbering over 200, are performed by choirs world-wide, with publications in Britain and America. Listed in the ‘International Who’s Who in Music’, he is frequently in demand as a guest conductor at home and abroad, including the Festival of Massed Male Choirs in New Zealand and the London Welsh Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. Alwyn was created an MBE in the Queen’s 2001 New Year’s Honours List for services to music in Wales.

Recently he has been conducting the National Chamber Orchestra of Wales in a series of concerts including ‘Mozart by candlelight’ and ‘Christmas by candlelight’. He continues to combine his conducting career with that of presenting TV programmes and televised events, including the National Eisteddfod and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. He also regularly introduces concert broadcasts by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Later this year he will be conducting at Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival, as well as travelling to Patagonia to adjudicate at the eisteddfod there. He also makes a return visit to Australia to appear with the Melbourne Welsh MVC of which he is Patron.

 

: alwynhum@globalnet.co.uk.