D T Davies Award for Young Instrumentalists
In memory of the first conductor of the re-formed choir, an annual competition is held for young musicians in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil with a prize of £100
The D.T Davies Bursary Awards
The founder conductor of the reborn Dowlais Male Choir was D.T.Davies, a musician of great repute throughout South Wales as conductor, adjudicator and accompanist. In 1968 he was awarded the MBE for his services to music and in 1974 he received further recognition when the Freedom of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil was conferred upon him.
During his years as Musical Director the Choir grew in number from 13 to 120 choristers in 1973, when it reached the first of many musical peaks in winning the Chief Male Choral competition at the Royal National Eisteddfod at Ruthin.
This was a “Triple Crown” for “DT” as he had won the National Eisteddfod previously, conducting a ladies’ choir and a mixed choir and he achieved five “National” successes in his distinguished career.
In July 1978 the committee of the Dowlais Male Choir decided to honour their founder Musical Director by instigating a bursary in his memory.
The aim of the D.T.Davies Award
is the encouragement of promising young musicians, and the bursary is given each year to a student of one of the high schools in the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil.
The recipient of the award had previously been decided on a rotational basis from each of the schools. However the choir had been conscious for several years that promising students had not been offered the opportunity to display their talent, as it had not been their schools turn to select the recipient of the award. So, in 2013 the choir changed the format by offering the opportunity to a student from each of the schools to enter an annual competition and potentially be the recipient of the award. In 2023 with the inception of the J. Michael Jones award for young singers, the DT Davies award was restricted to young instrumentalists.
Each student is allocated a time slot of 10 minutes to perform two contrasting selections of their own choice
of music enabling them to demonstrate the full range of their talent to the adjudicators.
The winner is presented with a cheque, a certificate and is invited to perform at the choir’s Annual Concert taking place later in the year.
The choir are appreciative of the support received from the local High School music staff, the students and their parents for making the event so successful.
Previous Winners
2020-2022 Competion cancelled
April 10th 2019 Alys Watkins - Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Harp
March 21st 2018 Jack Cox – Radyr Comprehensive School, Soloist
May 24th 2017 Sally Price – Cyfarthfa High School, Flute
April 13th 2016 Megan Jones – Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Soprano
March 19th 2015 Eve Price – Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Harp
April 3rd 2014 Jac Thomas – Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Trumpet
March 22nd 2013 Elizabeth Barnes–Afon Taf High School, Piano.
Mari Kelly–Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Harp
March 1st 2012 No award made
March 1st 2011 Samuel Roper – Cyfarthfa High School – Xylophone
March 1st 2010 No award made
February 28th 2009 Daniel Lewis- Penydre High School, Flute & Tenor Saxophone
March 1st 2008 Laura Munkley-Afon Taf High School-Piano & Violin
March 3rd 2007 Rhiannon Pinney, Elizabeth Sullivan-Bishop Hedley High School, Clarinet-Piano
March 1st 2006 Laurie O’Brien,Nicholas Brill-Cyfarthfa High School-Piano-Cornet
March 1st 2005 No award made
March 1st 2004 Matthew Woodford-Afon Taf High School-Piano
March 1st 2003 Stephanie Barrett-Penydre High School-Piano and Violin
March 1st 2002 James Allen, Siân Lloyd-Bishop Hedley School, Trombone-Violin
March 1st 2001 Alun Davies-Vaynor & Penderyn High School-Oboe
March 1st 2000 Laura Hamer-Cyfarthfa High School-Piano
March 1st 1999 Saint David’s Day Concert cancelled due to a pre-arranged concert in Oxford
February 28th 1998 Leanne Davies-Vaynor & Penderyn High School-Violin
March 1st 1997 Cerys Jones-Pen-y-Dre High School-Piano
March 1st 1996 Elunded Prichard-Afon Taf High School-Violin
March 1st 1995 Faith Nicholas Laura Hallisey-Cyfarthfa High School-Soloists (Duet)
February 26th 1994 Richard Parry, Claire Billett-Vaynor & Penderyn High School-Tenor Horn Flute/Saxophone
February 26th 1993 Gregory Thomas-Bishop Hedley School-Trombone
February 29th 1992 Gareth Lloyd-Afon Taf High School-Double Bass
March 1st 1991 Rhian Griffiths-Cyfarthfa High School-Saxophone
March 1st 1990 Recipient Unknown-Bishop Hedley School
February 25th 1989 Lynwen Burgum-Pen-y-Dre High School-Soloist
February 27th 1988 Sarah Elizabeth James-Vaynor & Penderyn High School-Violin
March 1st 1987 Susan Thomas-Cyfarthfa High School-Flute
February 28th 1986 Jeffrey Lloyd- Roberts-Afon Taf High School-Tenor
March 1st 1985 Lisa Evans-Bishop Hedley School-Violin
March 1st 1984 Lucy O’Sullivan-Pen-y-Dre High School-Cello
March 1st 1983 Delyth John-Vaynor & Penderyn High School-Viola
February 27th 1982 Rachel Elizabeth Thomas-Afon Taf High School-Oboe
March 2nd 1981 Paul Horner-Cyfarthfa High School-Violin
February 29th 1980 Linos M.Jehu-Bishop Hedley School-Cello
March 1st 1979 Gillian Edwards-Pen-y-Dre High School-Cello
D.T.Davies Award Entry Criteria
This year’s competition will be held on Wednesday April 17th 2024 at High Street Baptist Church, Merthyr Tydfil, starting at 7:00pm. Applications close on Friday 29th March 2024.
Each entrant will be allocated a time slot of no more than 10 minutes to perform two contrasting selections of their own choice of music, enabling them to demonstrate the full range of their talent.
Please make certain that you bring two additional copies of music with you which will be handed to the adjudicators and returned at the end of the evening.
There is potential for up to six competitors, a preliminary round will be held at an earlier date if required .
The recipient of the Bursary Award will receive cheque for £100 and an invitation to join with Dowlais Male Choir in a concert later in the year.
Eligibility Criteria.
1. Each entrant must:-
i) be aged 18 or younger on 31st August 2024
ii) have either achieved or are at the standard required to achieve Grade 5 on their chosen instrument.
2. Only solo classical musicians will be accepted as a nomination i.e. no groups of players will be eligible for entry.
3. Previous winners of the award are not eligible to participate a second time.
4. However, students who have previously taken part but were unsuccessful in gaining the award are encouraged to re-enter the competition.
If you are interested in taking part then please complete the attachment and email to our Concert Secretary