A musical maestro who founded Cornwall’s thriving International Male Choral Festival more than 20 years ago has died at the age of 83.
Dr Roy Wales, who dedicated a lifetime’s career to choral music at all levels, died last in Sussex surrounded by his family and his funeral will take place this Wednesday.
His services to Choral Music across the world were recognised by the Queen three years ago, when he was honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Dr Wales had a wide-ranging musical career, which included being a choral, orchestral and operatic conductor, as well as director of music at university level across several continents. He established numerous travelling choirs in the UK and Australia, as well as Rottingdean Arts Festival close to his Sussex home.
He was also instrumental in setting up, developing and directing the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival - now the largest event of its kind in the world.
The inspiration came to him while he was conducting a concert of massed Cornish Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2000 and formed the idea to create an international music festival for male voice choirs hosted by those Cornish choirs.
Dr Wales shared this vision with like-minded, influential people within Cornwall’s musical community - bringing together an enthusiastic team of key organisers and volunteers and directing the first three of the biennial festivals before passing on the baton.
One of those founding team-members, John Larke, is as keenly involved today as he was 24 years ago.
He said: “Roy inspired us from the word go. He brought his wealth of knowledge and experience to our first festivals and gave us in the Cornish team the vision and ability to continue successfully – it has been an incredible gift.”
Dr Wales’ lasting legacy will see around 50 choirs of all ages and nationalities gather from May 2 to May 6 this year, for the 11th biennial Cornwall International Male Choral Festival - taking part in 35 events in 25 venues, to entertain more than 50,000 people.
His wife, Christine, was involved in the festival administration in its early years and has now said: “Seeing the continued growth and success of the CIMCF - to the point where it’s regarded as the largest event of its kind in the world - was something that gave Roy a great deal of satisfaction.
“He always felt Cornwall was the right place to host an international male choral festival because of the extensive and longstanding male voice choir tradition in the county.
“I’m sending my very best wishes for this year's 11th festival and hope I might be able to visit Cornwall for at least part of it.”
Gareth Churcher, founder and head of the Cornwall Music Service Trust, and director of the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival for the last six years, added: “It really was Roy that inspired me to fall in love with male choral music and more generally musical direction.
“I remember vividly the masterclasses held as part of the festival and how his expertise as part of this helped many people to develop their skills. This was the basis for me to follow my passion for conducting and to think that I am now continuing his legacy as festival director is a huge honour.”
Full details of the 2024 Cornwall International Male Choral Festival - including international concerts and competitions taking place at Truro Cathedral and the Hall for Cornwall – as well as festival films, photos and information from previous events, can be found at www.cimcf.uk or for expressions of interest contact Gareth Churcher by email director@cimcf.uk
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