Edgar Taylor

Treorchy Male Choir was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former Deputy Conductor Edgar Taylor. Edgar was a charming, friendly, kind and talented gentleman who, during his three years with the Choir, endeared himself to music staff, choristers and audiences alike.

Edgar was indeed a rare breed, part of that school of eminent conductors who were revered in the world of choral music. Musically, he was something of a child prodigy and his ability to perform and conduct were inbred in him as an individual. In fact, it was the imposing figures of such leaders of music that contributed so much to Wales’s universal image as the Land of Song and the debt of gratitude owed to them is immeasurable.

Edgar began composing at the age of just eleven and competed regularly in the Eisteddfod arena as a talented pianist. He studied music at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff under the direction of Zbygnev Gryzbowski and played regularly in concerts with the college orchestra while also giving frequent studio recitals.

He gained three music diplomas by the time he was fourteen-years-old and also mastered the French horn, becoming a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

As a member of the Guild for the Promotion of Welsh Music he took part in many recitals by contemporary Welsh artists such as Daniel Jones and fellow student Alun Hoddinot where Edgar’s own compositions were performed.

Some years later he became the conductor of the Whitchurch Male Choir following the death of its founder conductor and remained at the helm for twelve years. During this time he was instrumental in training the Cardiff element of the popular Côr Meibion De Cymru, who used his special arrangement of the American national anthem during their tour of the United States.

Edgar spent a further seven years as musical director of the Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir, taking them on a tour of Atlanta, USA with the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir.

In 1995 he was invited to train and conduct a male choir for an international choral concert in Tarnos, France to celebrate the centenary since the death of Guiseppi Verdi. As the Welsh representative, his choir performed alongside choral groups from Spain, Italy, France and Latvia - culminating in a combined performance of Verdi choruses.

Edgar joined the Treorchy Male Choir in 2002 as Deputy Conductor to Andrew Badham. During his time with the Choir he conducted several full and part concerts throughout the UK and beyond. Along with his wife Gloria, Edgar enjoyed the Choir’s tour of Scotland in 2002 and joined us on the tour of Australia in 2004. It was there that he conducted the majority of his part-concerts at Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in particular. In recognition of his services to the Choir he was presented with Honorary Membership on his retirement in 2005.

Edgar will certainly be long remembered in the history of the Choir and to Gloria and his family we all send our deepest condolences.