Rees, John Thomas

Composer

b Cwmgiedd. nr Ystradgynlais, Powys (Brecon) 1857, d Bow Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion (Cardiganshire) 1949. He changed his middle name from ‘Morgan’, hoping thus to avoid confusion with a namesake. A man of little formal education, having worked in the coalmines between the ages of 9 and 21. During that time however, he taught himself enough music to gain a place at the Univ of Wales, to study under Joseph Parry, qv. Gained a MusB from Toronto (see also T D Edwards) and lectured at the University Coll of Wales at Aberystwyth. He led singing festivals frequently, possibly more than any of his contemporaries, and adjudicated at Eisteddfodau widely across the Principality, and died at the age of 91. He published a music edn of Trysorfar Plant; his hymn-tunes have outlived his other compositions. No.309.