Musical Director
Richard Stephens - Founder and Musical Director
Richard was born in 1970 and has gained much success as a conductor, organist, pianist and singer.
Having studied music and History with the Open University and in recent years at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (part time) where he specialised in voice under Guy Harbottle. He also holds his fellowship in choral conducting. Richard also holds the FRSA.
He began his professional conducting career in 1993 at the Brangwyn Hall Swansea, conducting a 300-voice choir in aid of Save the Children fund. In the years that followed he was invited to conduct choirs in venues such as St David's Hall on many occasions. In 1995 Richard conducted the massed choirs at Cardiff Castle to mark the 50th anniversary of V.J.Day, in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.
He was founder chairman of the Welsh association of ladies choirs and he did much to raise the profile of female-voice choirs in Wales.
2010 is Richard's 30th anniversary of being a church organist. During this time he has held appointments at Whitland Parish Church, St Peter's Parish Church Carmarthen (organ scholar), Goodwick Parish Church, St Martin's parish Church Haverfordwest and is currently Organist at St Mary's Church, Pembroke. In October 2010, Richard returns to the Parish of haverfordwest as he takes up the full-time appointment as Organist at St Martin's of Tours Parish Church. He has also performed both as conductor and organist in Oostend cathedral, Ghent cathedral and Brugges Cathedral. He also performed an organ recital in the English National Convent Brugges. He has also performed at Notre Dame and Milan Cathedrals.
Richard has accompanied mixed, male and female choirs thoughout the UK both on organ and piano. He is also in demand as a guest conductor at singing festivals and is at ease having conducted choirs up to 1000 voices for charities such as Save the Children, NSPCC, Athritis Care, wales MIND, Ty Hafan appeal. His latest massed conducting in wales was at St David's Hall Cardiff in November 2008 when he conducted 500 voices in 'Raising the roof for children' gala concert in aid of the NSPCC. In November 2010 he conducts the 'gala concert of massed choirs' in aid of the Noah's ark appeal (Children's hospital for Wales), and in 2011 returns to the rostrum once again to conduct 500 male voices to mark the 50th anniversary of the British Heart Foundation.
For 13 years Richard worked as area secretary and coordinator for the Royal School of Church Music. During this time he was also the music development coordinator. In recognition of outstanding service, the RSCM council awarded him with a Certificate of special service in 2009.
Richard is a great supporter of amateur choirs and encourages greatly anyone who wants to sing. He is also a vice president of the award-winning Maesteg Children's Choir. Richard has recently been appointed Musical Director of Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir, and takes up his appointment in September 2010.
In 2010 Richard commences his training to become an external music examiner after having taught music for the past 20 years!