History
The present choir is the result of very early amalgamations between two smaller groups, and today is experiencing a resurgence of pride in its Welsh Heritage. The early records of the choir have been lost, but it seems that early conductors included Thomas Howells and James Scourfield. In 1907 the legendary Leonard Francis was appointed conductor, and for fourty years he led the choir to success after success in the annual eisteddfodau. In 1908 the choir traveled by steam ship to the Royal South Street competitions in Ballarat and returned as the champion choir of Australia.
After the death of Francis in 1947, the choir endured some difficult years as membership fell, but when it began to produce annual musicals both the membership and audience numbers rose again. Conductors Lyla McGuire, Nancy Jones and Bryan Capern, a third generation Cambrian, led the Choir through those difficult years and to some significant Eisteddfod victories in sections available to the lower numbers. Blodwyn Whitehead (nee Edmunds), an Ipswich teacher of music, took over as conductor. She is the fourth generation of her family to belong to the choir, and in 1970, she formed the highly successful Cambrian Youth Choir which has proven almost unbeatable at eisteddfodau and which enjoys a formidable reputation throughout the state. It is presently conducted by Berniece Hicks.
A Junior Choir was formed by Lyla McGuire in 1947, but it lapsed in 1959. Blodwyn Whitehead revived the Junior Choir in 1965 and conducted it for many years. Now numbering over 40 members it is conducted by Simone DeWaard. Blodwyn conducted all three cambrian choirs for a period of ten years; she is a life member of the choir, and has been awarded an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) and been named "Ipswich Citizen of the Year" for her contribution to the city's cultural scene. Her husband, John, has been choir President and is currently an honorary Vice President. Her sister, Gwalia Walker, is the choir's Patron.
|
|
Blackstone - Ipswich Cambrian Choir Inc.
