THOMAS, GEORGE ISAAC ('Arfryn '; 1895 - 1941), musician and composer

Name: George Isaac Thomas
Pseudonym: Arfryn
Date of birth: 1895
Date of death: 1941
Parent: Margaret Thomas (née Jones)
Parent: Rhys Morgan Thomas
Gender: Male
Occupation: musician and composer
Area of activity: Music
Author: Evan David Jones

Born at Spencer House, Llanboidy, Carmarthenshire, 29 November 1895, the son of Rhys Morgan and Margaret (née Jones) Thomas. He was educated at the University College, Cardiff (1920-22), and the Royal College of Music (1923-26). He became an A.R.C.M. as an accompanist in September 1924, and A.R.C.O in July 1926. He passed the theory examination in 1927, but lost his health before completing the F.R.C.O course. He conducted the Ammanford and District orchestra from 1914 to 1922. He acted as the accompanist at the national eisteddfod at Ammanford in 1922, and as a harpist in Lady Brittain's ('Telynores y Golomen Wen') harp choir in the eisteddfod concert. During his stay in London he was organist of Charing Cross chapel (CM), and accompanied and conducted the London-Welsh Male Voice Choir. After returning to Wales he was organist of Bethany chapel, Ammanford. He conducted singing festivals, lectured and composed solos and hymn tunes. He died 31 December 1941 and was buried in the cemetery of the old chapel, Betws, on 3 January 1942.

Author

Published date: 2001

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