LLOYD, JOHN MORGAN (1880 - 1960), musician

Born 19 August 1880, at Pentre, Rhondda, Glamorganshire, of a musical and religious family. His father, John Lloyd (an outfitter, who lived at Glan-y-don, Barry, and died 1910) was of Montgomeryshire stock and was one of the chief founders of Penuel Welsh church (Presb.), Barry. His mother was a native of Treforest, grandchild of Benjamin Williams, minister of Saron, Pontypridd, and she was the first organist at Saron chapel, Treforest.

Early in 1889 the family moved from Pentre to live in Barry and the musician spent the rest of his life there. He showed a leaning towards music very early in life and played the organ in Penuel, Barry, when he was 9 years old. He was educated at Lewis' School, Pengam, and received lessons in music from J.E. Rees, Barry. After leaving school he went to work for a short while in his father's shop but his heart was not in his work. Whilst still a school pupil he was chosen to be accompanist for Barry District Glee Society and in 1900 he was accompanist for the Royal Welsh Choir at the Paris Exhibition. He sat the first Oxford music examinations and having attracted the attention of David Evans (1874 - 1948) he decided to study music with him at the University College in Cardiff, entering as a student in January 1904.

After completing his course he became organist of Trinity church (English Presb.), Barry, for ten years, and from there he moved to Cathedral Road Church, Cardiff. In 1915 he joined the army, and was appointed a chaplain; he suffered bitter experiences at Vimy Ridge, Oppy Wood and Cambrai. In 1920 he was appointed lecturer at the University College, Cardiff, and later professor (as successor to David Evans (1874 - 1948), a post he held till he retired in 1945. He had graduated in music at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1921, and gained his D.Mus. degree there in 1928. He died at his home in Barry, 30 June 1960, and was buried in Merthyr Dyfan cemetery.

He did not write much music, but he composed a few short pieces such as the solos 'Dilys' and 'Alwen hoff', the madrigal 'Wele gawell baban glân', and part-song (SSA) 'Llyn y Fan', which are excellent examples of his style. His 'Arthur yn cyfodi' was performed during the Three Valleys Festival, 1936 and his 'Te Deum' for choir and orchestra was performed under his baton at Cardiff national eisteddfod, 1938.

He excelled as a teacher, and several leading composers, Grace Williams and Alun Hoddinott among them, were among his students.

Author

• Huw Williams, (1922 - 2002)

Sources

• Y Cerddor, February 1919
• Trysorfa y Plant, November 1939
• Who's who in Music (London 1935)
• Western Mail, 2 July 1960
• Y Drysorfa, September and November 1960
• information from the Registrar of University College, Cardiff

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20821434

Published date: 2001

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