Eric Jones

Born and brought up in Pontarddulais, Eric Jones was educated at Gowerton Boys’ Grammar School before graduating in Music from the University of Wales in Cardiff.

He started his teaching career in Llanelli, and subsequently became the Head of Music and Creative Arts at Mynyddbach School, Swansea. After a period as Deputy Head of Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr, he became in 1997 Headmaster of Ysgol Bro Myrddin, the Welsh medium comprehensive school at Carmarthen, retiring in 2006.

He holds a Fellowship diploma in composition of the Trinity College of Music, London, and a Masters degree of the Open University. He adjudicates frequently at the National Eisteddfod in vocal and composition competitions, including the 2013 Festival in Denbigh. He was admitted as an honorary member to the Ovate Order of the Gorsedd of Bards in 1996 for his services to music in Wales, and elevated to the Druid Order in 2010 for long and distinguished service to the Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd.

As a composer he has published six volumes of songs and a large number of choral works. He has received commissions from a wide range of choirs within Wales and beyond, and his music is frequently chosen as test pieces in national competitive festivals, recorded on disc and broadcast on radio and television. Performances of his music have been given in all of the major concert halls in Wales as well as venues in England including Symphony Hall in Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall in London.