REES LEWIS , ( Eos Ebrill ; 1828 - 1880 )

schoolmaster and musician


Born in 1828 at Twyn Cynordy , near Brynmawr , Brecknock , the son of William Lewis , who was precentor at Nebo chapel , Pen-y-cae . He received his first lessons in music from his father and from a musician from Pembrokeshire , who resided in the district. Entering the teaching profession, he spent two years at the Borough Road Training College , London , taught at Blaina, Mon. , and afterwards at Cardiff . He was a skilled conductor and worked hard to raise music standards and to develop a taste for classical music in Cardiff and district. He formed the Cardiff Philharmonic Society . A good violin player , he led a band for a long time. His anthem, ' Arglwydd, gollwng ', was published in Y Gerddorfa , nos. 76 and 77. He composed many musical pieces and compiled a collection of hymn-tunes for use by Baptists , but his work was not published. He died 14 December 1880 .

Source : Dictionary of Welsh Biography