Emyr Wynne Jones
Born in Carmarthenshire, Emyr Wynne Jones studied at the School for a BMus and a Masters degree. He is currently a School Improvement Officer for Carmarthenshire.
I wanted to study at Cardiff University because the music department offered a wide range of performing opportunities and musical experiences. I wanted to make and experience as much music as possible whilst also getting a degree! Cardiff as a city also really appealed to me.
There really are too many highlights to mention from my time at the School, but I’ve picked out a few:
- Taking part in masterclasses with Sir Geraint Evans and Paul Hamburger
- Performing Britten's St. Nicholas with Peter Pears as guest soloist, a matter of days after the composer's death - one of the most emotionally charged performances I have ever experienced.
- Countless performances with the Departmental Choirs and Orchestras
- Editing previously unpublished horn concertos as part of my postgraduate research
- A disastrous attempt at being a French Horn soloist in a performance of Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 - it's meant for trumpet!!
Would I recommend the School of Music to prospective students? I would, I have, and I still do recommend it. With a smile on my face, I simply ask young people to take a look at the quality of graduate Cardiff has produced!
After completing a masters degree in Cardiff I moved to Bangor to do my PGCE. The reason for the move to Bangor was to be nearer a young lady who has since been my wife for the past 31 years!
On completing my PGCE I entered teaching with the intention of teaching for a few years before looking for a postgraduate course with a view to following a career as singer. I was appointed to teach music at Unsworth High School, an 11-16 school in Bury, and I soon realised that teaching was something I enjoyed, and was rather good at. The aspirations to be a performer soon disappeared as my new found vocation took over my life.
Circumstances at Unsworth forced me to be acting Head of Department from day one, and I also enjoyed a one day a week secondment to the Greater Manchester Centre for Curriculum Music during my 7 years in Bury. I was then appointed Director of Music at Parrs Wood High School, a very large 11-18 school in Manchester, and spent 8 fantastically enjoyable and rewarding years working there.
In January 1994 I returned to Wales after being appointed Music Adviser for Dyfed. In more recent years my role has evolved into one of a School Improvement Officer with a more generic role. I still do some music, and continue to conduct youth choirs and orchestras, but nowhere near as much as I would like.
Would I recommend the School of Music to prospective students? I would, I have, and I still do recommend it. With a smile on my face, I simply ask young people to take a look at the quality of graduate Cardiff has produced!