Well known Welsh conductor Craig Roberts has returned to his musical home valley in Rhondda Cynon Taf to take up the position of Musical Director of the Lewis Merthyr Band with immediate effect.

Return

Craig told 4BR: "Lewis Merthyr was the first band I competed with as a player, a period I enjoyed very much, and it's a delight to now return, 20 years on, as conductor."

He added: "The band has a rich and illustrious history, and I look forward, together with the members and management, to building the band's profile on both the concert and contest stage, within the local community and beyond."

Lewis Merthyr was the first band I competed with as a player, a period I enjoyed very much, and it's a delight to now return, 20 years on, as conductorCraig Roberts

Oz return

Craig's tenure will begin immediately following his return from Australia where he will be touring for the next two weeks with Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Lewis Merthyr Chairman, Paul Williams added: "It's a delight for the band to able to secure the services of a conductor of Craig's stature.

We already have some very exciting plans in the pipeline which we look forward to seeing realised over the coming months."