Musical Team

Fred Nicholas was educated at TonypandyGrammar School and is a graduate of the University of Wales. He joined the Cambrian in 1979 and held the post of Head of Music at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School until his retirement in 2012.

An accomplished brass player he has conducted several brass bands including Lewis Merthyr, Rogerstone and Ynyshir. He has appeared on T.V and BBC Radio Wales where he featured in the first of a new series, "First Hand" which gave insight into his commitment to musical activities. He has also had a long association with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

Fred's musical skills have been essential to the choir's progress and his enthusiasm for producing variable and exciting repertoire has guided Cambrian into the new millennium.

Brian was born and still lives in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon valley. He is an accomplished pianist and actor. Brian studied privately with the London College of Music winning several prizes and regularly plays the organ at the local parish Church of St. Joseph's in Cwmaman. He was a founder member of Cwmaman Operatic Society in 1968 where he was their accompanist before taking over as their Musical Director. In 1989 he became Musical director of Mid Rhondda Operatic Society until 1999 when he returned to Cwmaman opera for a production of Meet me in St. Louis which was part of the events for the newly refurbished theatre which was re- opened by a visit of Prince Charles.

As an actor his many roles have ranged from farce to Shakespeare and he has in recent years taken leading roles with Cwmpas Theatre in their Shakespearian productions held in the summer in the grounds of Tredegar House, Newport. In the past year he has thrown his energies into Cwmaman's Theatre in productions such as Allo Allo where he played Rene, and then the voice in Under Milk Wood and latterly Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. In 2014 as well as more acting he is going into Narnia and directing The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe.

In his spare time he likes to go walking in the Welsh mountains and regularly arranges an excursion to get to the Swiss Alps in the spring.