Who we are

Dr Harry is an award-winning conductor and composer from Penclawdd on The Gower Peninsula, who has established himself both nationally and internationally as a choral clinician with a passion for vocal music of all genres.

The first Welshman to obtain a degree in Choral Conducting (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), Edward has multiple degrees from universities and conservatoires and holds fellowships from The Fraternity of Saint Cecilia, the Royal Society of Musicians, the Royal Society of the Arts, the Guild of Musicians and Singers and the Worshipful Company of Musicians. In 2020 Edward was recognised for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Music of Wales’ by the Welsh Music Guild who awarded him the Glanville Jones Award.

In August 2022 Edward was the winner of the coveted Tlws Y Cerddor – the musicians’ medal - at the National Eisteddfod of Wales (Tregaron) for his Welsh language chamber opera, Yr Islawr – The Basement. In the same month, under his direction London Welsh Male Voice Choir were selected as a winner of the Classic FM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Competition, with their recording of his composition ‘A Blessing for Bendigeidfran’ – part of a larger work for male voices entitled ‘Four Welsh Psalms’ with bilingual libretto by Dr Grahame Davies.

Dr Harry is an ambassador for the men’s mental health charity, ‘blOKes’ and is the Musical Development and Wellbeing Manager for the international charity The Military Wives Choirs.

For more information please go to www.edwardrhysharry.com 

Professor Mealor is one of the world’s most ‘performed’ living composers and has composed music for some of the most important UK state, national and Royal occasions of the last ten years, including the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales (2011), King Charles’s 65th, 70th and 75th birthdays, two works for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s national Services of Thanksgiving (2022), two works for the Coronation (2023) – including the first ever setting of the Welsh Language at a Coronation, and three works for The Honours of Scotland Service (2023).

He has also written music for film and television including the score to the BAFTA-Award winning ‘Wonders of the Celtic Deep’, three operas, four symphonies, concerti, chamber music, much choral music and songs, including the 2011 Christmas No 1, ‘Wherever You Are’ for Gareth Malone and the Military Wives Choir.

He has received many awards and honours for his work including honorary degrees, fellowships and in January 2024 was appointed to The Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by HM King Charles III for his outstanding contribution to Royal Music. He is the first composer to receive this accolade since Sir Arthur Bliss in 1969 and before him, Sir Arnold Bax and Sir Edward Elgar. 

We are deeply honoured that Paul has agreed to become our Festival Patron.

We're delighted to welcome Lord Kinnock as our very first festival ambassador.  Born and raised in Tredegar, Neil was Leader of the Opposition and of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992, leading the Party at two General Elections and bringing it close to victory in 1992. He served as one of Britain's European Commissioners between 1995 and 2004, becoming Vice-President of the Commission. He was Chairman of the British Council from 2004 to 2009, and joined the House of Lords in 2005 as Lord Kinnock of Bedwellty.

A life-long music lover and long-term supporter of the London Welsh Chorale, we hugely value Neil’s support and advice in the creation of and organisation of the Festival.

The festival committee is made up of volunteers from the London Welsh Chorale, led by our festival planning lead, Lynne Tew. 

The London Welsh Chorale has rehearsed and performed in central London and around the globe since February 1983. Members hail from a range of professions and backgrounds, and the repertoire spans the Renaissance to  modern. The Chorale is committed to keeping Welsh music alive in London, and has supported many young professional singers and orchestral players in our professional concerts. New members are always welcome!

Read more about the chorale here: www.londonwelshchorale.org.uk