Perhaps it's the Welsh blood in me, but I have always enjoyed music and singing.  I found an outlet for much of my early musical efforts at the now defunct Oswestry Boys High School where I was a member of the choir and where I first studied cello under Paul Ives.  At about this time I also became a regular member of the Oswestry and District Amateur Operatic Society (now called the Oswestry Musical Theatre Company).  Sadly all this came to an end when I moved away from Oswestry and for most of the next 30 years concentrated on my career at the expense of my music.

...And then, my wife (in a move she probably regrets to this day!) bought me a cello for my birthday..and I started the long journey back to music!  The Dauntsey Vale Chamber Group provided some early performance experience and I was also lucky enough to be in at the re-launch of the Westinghouse Orchestra (now renamed the Wessex Concert Orchestra).  I remain heavily committed to the orchestra now as a trustee of the WCO charity, as Orchestra Manager and as number two cello! 

The desire to sing was still there too, and although I had never sung with a Male Voice Choir, the idea had always appealed and when I started looking for a choir locally, I was lucky enough to find (and pass the audition for) the internationally-acclaimed Wessex Male Choir.  With the choir's focus on entertainment and high performance standards, it wasn't long before I wanted to do more singing and develop in parallel as a soloist.  Again, I was very lucky to find a superb singing teacher in Debra Skeen (soprano) who has inspired and supported me on my first few steps as a soloist.  In early 2008 I auditioned with the very highly-regarded White Horse Opera company and was delighted to be offered the role of Danilo in their October 2008 production of Lehar's The Merry Widow. Subsequently I auditioned with Kennet Opera and was extremely pleased to be offered the part of Papageno in their November 2008 production of Mozart's wonderful opera, The Magic Flute. Throughout 2008 I have also been slowly building my repertoire and singing in music festivals, recitals and at private engagements...  and I was surprised and delighted to sing as a bass soloist in Haydn's Nicolai Mass with Newbury Chamber Choir & Orchestra in November 2008.  I've written about most of these experiences (and others) on my blog.

(Please visit my links pages to find out more about the groups and people mentioned)

My 'blog can be found at http://guyedwards.blog.co.uk

(Guy is also on Facebook)

This page last updated: 11 November 2008