The Welsh banding movement is sending its heartfelt 90th birthday congratulations to Ieuan Morgan MBE, the former conductor of the Parc & Dare Band, and an inspirational teacher of hundreds of brass band players during his distinguished peripatetic music career.

He first came to prominence as a fine euphonium player with Parc & Dare and founded the Treorchy Secondary School Band (later becoming the Treorchy School Band and then Upper Rhondda Comprehensive School Band) in 1953.

Remarkable feat

In a remarkable contesting feat in 1962, the youth band competed under his baton at the Championship Section National Finals of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall playing 'The Force of Destiny', against the likes of CWS Manchester and Black Dyke Mills.

Many of these young players then became the fulcrum of the resurgent Parc & Dare Band when he took over as Musical Director in 1965.

Over the next two decades he led the band to many of their finest triumphs, including becoming Champion Band of Wales, winning two Welsh Area titles and claiming a hat-trick of successes at the Welsh National Eisteddfod.

He also conducted the Upper Rhondda Comprehensive School Band to success at the Butlins Youth Championships of Great Britain in 1976, 1977 and 1979.

In 1984 he was awarded the Iles Medal, presented by the worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London and an MBE for his services to brass music and youth education4BR

Legacy

The legacy of his teaching is profound — with his own son a renowned professional tuba player, and countless youngsters going on to enjoy fulfilling careers in a number of Welsh bands.

In 1984 he was awarded the Iles Medal, presented by the worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London and an MBE for his services to brass music and youth education.