Edward-Rhys Harry (b.1973)
Dr Harry is an award-winning conductor and composer from Penclawdd on The Gower Peninsula, the geography and history of which influences and informs his compositional output.
He has established himself both nationally and internationally as a choral clinician with a passion for vocal music of all genres regardless of whether that is at an amateur or professional level and has conducted at concert halls, opera houses, palaces, churches and cathedrals the world over.
His original compositions and arrangements can be heard on radio stations and streaming services throughout Europe and beyond and can be downloaded or bought from most music retailers.
He has multiple degrees from universities and conservatoires and is currently undertaking a second doctorate in musicology at Miami State University, USA. He was the first Welshman to obtain a degree in Choral Conducting (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama).
He is in demand as a workshop leader and conference speaker across the UK and is devoted to the training and development of emerging choral conductors through his mentorship with several educational organisations, as well as championing new music and conducting education for choirs of lower voices.
He has been awarded fellowships of: The Fraternity of Saint Cecilia, the Royal Society of Musicians, the Royal Society of the Arts, the Guild of Musicians and Singers and the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
In August 2022 Edward was the winner of the coveted Tlws Y Cerddor – the musicians’ medal at the National Eisteddfod of Wales (Tregaron) for his Welsh language chamber opera, Yr Islawr – The Basement – a murder mystery set in the basement of a high street department store!
His music is published by Oxford University Press, Boosey & Hawkes, Oriana Publications and Curiad Cyf., amongst others.
Also in August 2022, London Welsh Male Voice Choir were selected as the only choir in a group of 7 winners of the Classic FM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Competition, with their recording of Dr Harry’s composition ‘A Blessing for Bendigeidfran’ – part of a larger work for male voices entitled ‘Four Welsh Psalms’ with bilingual words by Dr Grahame Davies.
In 2020 Edward was recognised for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Music of Wales’ by the Welsh Music Guild who awarded him the Glanville Jones Award.
Edward is an ambassador for the men’s mental health charity, ‘blOKes’.
He is represented by Val Withams at Choral Connections Agency.
For more information please contact: www.choralconnections.com
