UWTSD lecturer wins national award

Eilir Owen Griffiths, a Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts and Director of Canolfan Berfformio Cymru (Wales Performance Centre) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), is this year’s recipient of the Sir Geraint Evans Award - an award presented by the Welsh Music Guild in recognition of his significant contribution to music in Wales.

Eilir is a well-respected lecturer; a dynamic choral conductor; a successful Musical Director and an exciting composer. He has made an important contribution to the musical life of our nation and the impact his work has had on the lives of young performers is great.

Eilir is the Director of UWTSD Canolfan Berfformio Cymru (Wales Performance Centre) – a unique centre that offers specialised degrees and provides students with a solid technique along with a broad understanding of the creative industries in Wales and beyond.  Numerous undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered as part of the Centre's provision in Cardiff, including the BA Musical Theatre and the Welsh medium BA Perfformio (Performance).  Students are also able to study post-graduate courses including the MA Musical Theatre and the Welsh-medium MA Perfformio (Performance) and MA Directing programmes.

For six years, Eilir was the Musical Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and is now the Artistic Director of the Wales International Choral Festival. Eilir also conducts the highly successful Côr CF1 and is an Associate Conductor with the British Sinfonietta.

"It is a great privilege to receive this award this year," said Eilir. "I’m delighted to have been recognised by the Guild in this way."

The Sir Geraint Evans Award is an annual accolade presented to an individual who’s made a significant contribution to the musical life of Wales.

The baritone, Dr Jeremy Huw Williams was the first recipient of the award in 2004 with Iwan Llewellyn Jones and Gail Pearson also receiving the award in recent years.

“Eilir Owen Griffiths is the winner of the Sir Geraint Evans Award for 2020 for his significant contribution to Welsh music,” says Dr Jeremy Huw Williams, Secretary of the Welsh Music Guild.  “This is not the first time that Eilir has been awarded a prize by the Welsh Music Guild; in 2008 he won the Musician’s Medal at the National Eisteddfod, which is presented by the Guild for the winner of the main composition prize.”

Gwilym Dyfri Jones, who leads on UWTSD’s Welsh medium provision at UWTSD is also extremely proud of Eilir's achievement.

"The University is delighted that Eilir’s work has been recognised by the Welsh Music Guild,” said Gwilym Dyfri Jones. "He has already made a significant contribution to the musical life of Wales and has inspired individual choirs and performers - including our undergraduate and postgraduate students in Cardiff - through his diligence, enterprise and passion."

Eilir will be conducting Côr CF1 as part of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) Conference which is being held in Wales for the first time this year. Eilir will conduct Côr CF1 in three works by the esteemed Welsh composer Paul Mealor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on 25 April.

For further information about the Conference, please visit https://www.ism.org/professional-development/seminars/ism-presents-2020

For further information on the courses offered at UWTSD’s Canolfan Berfformio Cymru, please visit https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/cbc/ 

Further Information

For further information, please contact Sian-Elin Davies, Principal Communications and PR Officer on 01267 676908 / 07449 998476 sian-elin.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk