Caerphilly Music Club, Records

Caerphilly Music Club records comprising of minutes; membership records; financial papers; general administrative papers; publicity material; history of the club, 1964-1998

The impetus for the establishment of the Caerphilly Music Club came from a group of students studying an adult education course in Music Appreciation. The course was held at Groeswen Secondary School, Caerphilly (now St. Cenydd Comprehensive School), under the tuition of Mr Alourihan. The members of the class decided to join together order to organise a season of concerts to be held in Caerphilly during the autumn and winter months. A trial event was organised for the 14th of March 1964. It was held at Groeswen School, and the Silurian Male Voice Choir was booked to perform, along with soprano Winifred Roberts, and pianists Mervyn Bunch and Walter Ryan. The evening was a resounding success. This success led to the establishment of the Caerphilly Music Club, which organised it's first full season during the autumn/winter of 1964/65. Their aim was to provide a programme to suit all tastes, at a low price. Concerts were initially held at Groeswen School, but the venue later changed to the hall of the Boys Grammar School (now St. Martin's Comprehensive School). A Committee was established to take control of administrative matters, along with the booking of artists. The Club was financed through grant aid from the Welsh Arts Council and the local authority (Caerphilly Urban District Council, Rhymney Valley District Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council in turn). Support was also received from Caerphilly Town Council. Unfortunately, financial problems meant that extraordinary meetings had to be called in 1973 and in 1984 in order to discuss the gravity of the Club's monetary situation. Luckily, the Club managed to survive both these crises. In terms of artists booked to perform, Caerphilly Music Club has been lucky in securing several well known performers. These include the world-renowned guitarist John Williams (1965/66), Stuart Burrows (1968/69) and Bryn Terfel (1989).

Caerphilly Music Club records arranged chronologically by record series

No restrictions

Deposited by a private individual, 2003

Detailed list available.

Compiled by Annabel Wickham for the Glamorgan Archives.

All records which meet the collection policy of the Glamorgan Archives have been retained.

Accruals are possible.