The old Glamorgan County Education Committee organised both a County Youth Orchestra and a County Youth Choir. Here are some programmes of their concerts. Two were in Aberdare, one at the Coliseum and the other at St Elvan’s; two at St Margaret’s Church, Mountain Ash; and one in the Workmen's Hall, Ferndale. The concerts span the years from 1959 to 1964.

Ogmore Camp
Both the orchestra and the choir gave concerts throughout the county after pupils spent about a week learning and rehearsing pieces at Ogmore Camp. This was, or so it seemed to me, an old army camp with two or three long wooden dormitories that overlooked the sea a few hundred yards up a stony lane from the coast road. You can see some pictures of this camp by clicking here.

The Glamorgan Youth Orchestra
The Glamorgan Youth Orchestra was formed in September, 1949. By 1960, it had grown to a full symphony orchestra of 116, with a "reserve" of more than 200 players who were accommodated and given experience in Junior Orchestral Courses. In addition, there were three sectional orchestras from which 'The Glam' drew its players; they provided weekly opportunities for orchestral playing. Each met on a Saturday morning: The East Glamorgan Youth Orchestra of 200 players at Pontypridd, the Mid Glamorgan Youth Orchestra of 100 players at Bridgend and the West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra of 100 players at Neath. (The designations of Mid and West predate the reorganisation of local government that occurred later). Some members of the orchestra went on to play with The National Youth Orchestra of Wales. There is a programme of one of their 1964 concerts here.

Aberdare musicians and choristers
As far as Aberdare pupils were concerned, our contingent in the main Glamorgan Choir was of a respectable number, but our contributions to the Orchestra were few with, in the sixties, just K. T. Johns, French Horn, and Rhian Samuel, from the girls’ school who played the oboe as our representatives. The main choir though had a much stronger contingent from Aberdare. If you look at page four of the programmes, you will see some familiar names in the Aberdare section. Peter Ballinger, was memorable for his strong baritone voice and he is mentioned as singing in some of the Distribution of Certificates Ceremonies on this site.

Looking through the full list of names, you will see some that have become very well known. For example, Della Jones, Beverley Humphreys, and Dennis O’Neill are ones that music fans will know well.  A certain Neil Kinnock also appears.

Aberdare’s own musicians include Rhian Samuel who was a girls’ school leaver of 1962; Leslie Roberts and Pamela Field were 1965 leavers and both from Cwmbach. Leslie became a member of English National Opera North Chorus in Manchester and spent many years with them.  Pamela’s career included several years with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company where she took several leading roles in Gilbert & Sullivan Operas. Decca have recently released Utopia Limited on CD where she sings the role of Princess Zara. It is also possible to pick up a video on VHS of H.M.S. Pinafore; in this production she takes on the leading role of Josephine. You can read her biography by clicking here.

Susan Dennis was a 1964 leaver and also from Cwmbach. Originally described as a lyric soprano, Susan has been a professional musician since graduating from Cardiff and now lives in Vienna  You can catch up with Susan’s news by clicking here.

K.T. Johns was a very well known character at the boys' school in the late fifties and early sixties; he too has made his career in Music. At school, he was known as KT and we understand that his alternative nickname of Drac has remained with him throughout his career. KT, who was from Hirwaun, played the French Horn in school concerts and in the Glamorgan Youth Orchestra. He also played jazz on the double bass with Robert Jones (nickname Sargy 1955-1962) who played piano. You can read a bit more about KT here, which is from the sleeve of one of his CDs.