Fonds GB 0210 DAVANS - David Evans (Musician) Papers,

David Evans was born in 1874 in Resolven, Glamorgan. At thirteen years of age he started work in the coalfield, where he remained for five years. He spent his free time studying music and by the age of fifteen had his own choir. He won a three-year Summer School College Scholarship, and attended a two- year course at Cardiff University College, under the tutorship of Dr Joseph Parry. In 1895 he became the youngest Oxford Mus. Bac. in Wales. From 1899 to 1903 he was organist and choirmaster at Jewin Calvinistic Methodist Church, London. In 1903 he succceeded Dr Joseph Parry as lecturer in the Music Department at the University College, Cardiff, and in 1908 became the first Professor of Music at Cardiff. From 1916 to 1921 he edited Y Cerddor, and also edited Llyfr emynau a thonau y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd a Wesleaidd, which was published in 1929. Throughout his lifetime Dr Evans was well known in Wales as an adjudicator at eisteddfodau and conductor of cymanfaoedd canu. He also produced and published many compositions which were extensively performed during his lifetime. He retired in 1939 and died in 1948.