ABERTILLERY ORPHEUS MALE CHOIR CÔR MEIBION ABERTYLERI	FOUNDED 1908 PATRON: Robert Lloyd CBE Site updated:12 September, 2007

PRESENTATION EVENING

A new chapter in the history of Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir has begun as the choirs long standing musical director and conductor Mr. Martin Budd has finally decided to retire from his conductor duties and take a back seat among the singing ranks within the choir.

Martin has conducted the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir since 1969 helping the Orpheus grow in confidence and stature to become one of the leading choirs in Wales. Under his leadership the choir has embarked on tours to Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain and Scotland. With a pinnacle of success being reached in the summer of 2000 when the choir undertook a concert tour to Alberta, Canada where concerts in Calgary and Edmonton were most enthusiastically received.

The Orpheus paid tribute to Martin who has devoted his life time to guiding the choir to become one of Wales's most respected at a presentation evening held in his honor at the Lymes Social club Abertillery last Saturday evening where choristers and friends old a new turned out to pay tribute to this remarkable man.

Making the presentation to Martin on behalf of the choir, Life President Trevor Wilde MBE remarked not only on the musical ability of Martin but also on his enthusiasm and strength of character praising him for his loyalty to the choir and to the people of Abertillery.

Stephen Bard will succeed Martin Budd as Conductor whilst the latter will continue in deputizing conducting and accompanying role.

Stephen has been a member of Orpheus since 1976 joining the choir at the age of only fifteen and it was a fitting tribute to him that he was presented on this night with his twenty five-year service award. The choir will now be able to look forward to continued success under strong leadership.

Few organizations are able to boast the length of service given by their members that can compare with that of the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir and so again it was a tribute to the members of the choir that two more long service awards were presented during the evening.

Trevor Wilde MBE again made presentation this time to popular chorister Mr. John Saunders for his twenty-five years dedicated service to the choir, John receiving a spontaneous standing ovation from all in attendance, a worthy tribute to him.

Unfortunately the presentation and honor of receiving life membership for a service of no less than Forty Years to fellow chorister Mr. Glyn Andrews was unable to take place due to illness. The choir and guests wishing Glyn a speedy return to choir duties.

You could become apart of the choir's future by becoming a choir member so why not come along to rehearsals held at Bryngwyn School every Tuesday and Friday evening 7.00p.m. Until 9.00p.m. and find out what Abertillery Orpheus is all about. You can be assured of a warm friendly welcome together with what we hope will be the start of a long and exciting membership

Gwent Gazette July 12th 2001