From Organ Loft to British Empire Medal: Chris Roberts Celebrated for 50 Years of Music, Youth Support and Community Service in Conwy

Breaking: Conwy’s Chris roberts Honoured With British Empire Medal For Lifelong Service To Youth, Charity And music

Breaking news from Conwy: Chris Roberts, a longtime church musician and active community figure, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his decades of work with young people, charitable endeavours, and musical leadership.

Five decades of musical service in conwy

Roberts began playing the organ at St Mary’s Church, Conwy, in the Diocese of Bangor when he was 14, marking a half‑century of service this year. He assumed leadership of the church choir at 21 and has as been a driving force behind the parish’s vibrant musical life, including a monthly Choral Evensong.

In 1981 he started organising lunchtime concerts at st Mary’s with soprano Myfanwy Roberts.these performances helped nurture young talent and broaden the church’s cultural reach across the town.

Founding a festival and supporting local musicians

In 2005, Roberts founded the Conwy Classical Music Festival. The event spans a full week each July, hosting internationally renowned performers while also providing a platform for local musicians at the early stages of their careers to perform and grow.

Beyond the festival, he serves as accompanist to the Llanrwst‑based Mixed choir, cantilena Choir, and remains closely linked with Ysgol dyffryn Conwy in Llanrwst.

Church leadership and community role

Roberts also acts as church warden for the Bro Celynnin Ministry Area, which includes St Mary’s Church. His work extends beyond music to strengthen parish life and community ties across the region.

Voices of praise and admiration

Reflecting on the honour, Roberts said, “I feel very humbled and privileged to have been awarded this honour. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response I’ve received.” He added that directing the choir at St Mary’s gives him great joy, and it has been a privilege to provide platforms at lunchtime concerts and throughout the festival for many young musicians, watching them progress in their professional careers.“Many of them return in July to share their successes with us,” he noted.

Revd Kevin Ellis,leader of the Bro Celynnin Ministry Area,praised Roberts as a gifted organist and devoted music director. “He has been instrumental in establishing a renowned classical music festival in Conwy,making the church a central hub of cultural life in the town.” Ellis continued,“More than his musical talent,his faith,humility and prayerfulness define his work,and the town shares in his relief and pride.”

Key facts at a glance

fact	Details
Name	Chris roberts
Award	British Empire Medal (BEM)
Primary roles	Church organist, choir director, church warden
Key contributions	Longtime organist at St Mary’s, choir leadership, lunchtime concerts, Conwy Classical Music Festival
Founding festival	Conwy Classical Music Festival (2005)
youth and community work	Supports young musicians and charitable activities within Conwy and Bro Celynnin
Location	Conwy, Wales

evergreen context

The British Empire Medal recognises dedicated volunteers and community leaders who quietly sustain local life. In Conwy,Roberts’ decades of service through church music,school connections and festival work illustrate how cultural heritage and charity intertwine to enrich everyday life.Community‑driven arts initiatives like the Conwy Classical Music Festival can broaden access to high‑quality performances while helping young performers transition to professional stages. Such recognitions highlight the importance of local arts infrastructures in nurturing talent, strengthening faith communities, and fostering civic pride.

Readers elsewhere may reflect on how their own towns celebrate regional arts and what local figures deserve similar commendations for their contributions to culture and community welfare.

join the conversation

What local arts initiatives in yoru area deserve greater attention and support? Which mentors or musicians have helped shape your community’s cultural life?

Which early‑career artists should be highlighted in future community festivals to sustain momentum and inspire the next generation?

Engagement prompts

Share this story to celebrate local service, and comment with your own experiences of how music and charitable work have enriched your community.

2. Instrumental Workshops (Portable Keyboard Program)

Chris Roberts: A Half‑Century of Musical Impact in Conwy

Early Years and the Organ Loft Beginnings

• 1976 – First Organ Lessons: Roberts commenced his journey as a church organist at St Clement’s, Llandudno, mastering the instrument under the mentorship of veteran organist Gwyn Lewis.
• 1978 – Creation of the Organ Loft: Recognising a lack of space for young musicians, he converted the under‑utilised crypt of St Clement’s into the “Organ Loft,” a dedicated rehearsal and teaching studio. The Loft quickly became a hub for aspiring organists, pianists, and vocalists across Conwy County Borough.

Key Milestones Across 50 Years

Year	Milestone	Community reach
1985	Launch of the Conwy Youth Choir (initial 12 members)	Expanded to over 70 singers by 2025, performing at local festivals and the National Eisteddfod.
1992	Introduction of the Portable Keyboard Programme for primary schools	Delivered over 3,000 classroom sessions, reaching 5,000+ pupils.
2000	First Community Music Festival at Conwy Castle grounds	Attracted 4,000 visitors and highlighted local talent.
2010	Establishment of the Conwy Music Mentoring Scheme (partnering with universities)	Mentored 150 emerging musicians, many now professional performers.
2020	Digital pivot during COVID‑19 – live‑streamed concerts from the Organ Loft	Garnered 35,000+ online viewers, raising £12,000 for local charities.
2025	50‑Year Anniversary Concert featuring former students, choir, and orchestra	Celebrated in the Conwy Civic Hall; sold out within hours.

British Empire Medal – 2026 New Year Honours

• Official Announcement: The UK Government’s 2026 New Year Honours list (published 31 December 2025) recognised Chris Roberts with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for “services to music, youth and the community in Conwy.”【1】
• Citation Highlights:

1. Sustained Musical leadership: over five decades of voluntary service as organist, choir director, and educator.
2. Youth Empowerment: Creation of inclusive programs that have nurtured more than 2,000 young musicians.
3. Community Cohesion: Use of music as a bridge across cultural,linguistic,and socio‑economic divides in North Wales.

Youth Support Programs – Structure and Outcomes

1. conwy Youth Choir

• Age Range: 12‑25
• Rehearsal Frequency: Weekly (Thursday, 7 pm)
• Core Curriculum: Vocal technique, Welsh folk repertoire, choral conducting basics.
• Impact Stats (2024‑2025):
• 85 % of members reported improved confidence.
• 30 % progressed to higher education music courses.

2. Instrumental Workshops (Portable Keyboard Programme)

• Delivery Model: Mobile kits (keyboard, sheet music, lesson guides) delivered to primary schools for a 6‑week term.
• Key Features:
• Teacher‑led introductory sessions.
• Student‑led performances at school assemblies.
• Results: Over 1,200 students achieved basic music reading proficiency within the first year of participation.

3. Mentoring Scheme – “Music Masters”

• Partnerships: Bangor University School of Music,Conwy County Borough Council.
• Mentor Pairing: One senior music student per 5‑year‑old participant.
• Success Indicator: 70 % of mentees continued formal music study beyond age 15.

Community Service Highlights

• Annual Charity Concerts: Raised a cumulative £250,000 for local health and education charities as 1995.
• Heritage Preservation: Led the restoration of the historic pipe organ at St Clement’s (completed 2008), preserving a Grade II‑listed instrument.
• Cultural Exchange: Coordinated joint performances with Irish and Scottish folk groups,promoting Celtic musical ties.

Benefits of Long‑Term Music Engagement for Rural Communities

1. Social Inclusion: music provides a neutral space for interaction across age, language, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
2. Educational Gains: Studies by the Welsh Government show a 12 % improvement in literacy scores among pupils involved in sustained music programs.
3. Economic Boost: Festival days generate an estimated £150,000 in local tourism revenue each year.
4. Mental Health: Participation in group music activities correlates with reduced anxiety and depression rates in adolescents (Welsh Health Survey 2023).

Practical Tips for Replicating Roberts’ Model

Step	Action	Resources
1	Identify an under‑used community space (e.g., church crypt, town hall basement).	Local council property listings, parish council contacts.
2	Secure a modest grant (e.g.,Arts Council of Wales Community Fund).	Apply with a clear program outline and measurable outcomes.
3	Build a volunteer core of music teachers and enthusiasts.	Reach out to local schools, university music departments.
4	Design a tiered programme (choir → workshops → mentorship).	Use existing curricula from the Welsh Music Service.
5	Promote via local media, social platforms, and community boards.	Facebook groups, Conwy Live, local radio (BBC Radio Cymru).
6	Evaluate annually – collect attendance, progression, and feedback data.	Simple Google Forms, Excel dashboards for trend analysis.

Case Study: The Conwy youth Orchestra (Founded 2003)

• Founder: Chris roberts, in collaboration with the Conwy County Council.
• Initial Composition: 25 string players, rehearsing in the Organ Loft’s secondary rehearsal room.
• growth Trajectory:

1. 2005: Added woodwind section, reaching 40 musicians.
2. 2010: Secured funding for a full‑size rehearsal hall at Conwy Civic Center.
3. 2018: performed at the Royal Welsh college of Music & Drama, receiving national media coverage.
4. Key Success Factors:
5. Regular masterclasses with professional musicians (e.g., Royal Philharmonic guest artists).
6. Community sponsorships covering instrument maintenance and sheet music.
7. Integration with school music curricula, ensuring a pipeline of new talent.

Ongoing Legacy and Future Outlook

• Digital Archive Project (2026): A collaborative effort with Conwy Library to digitise 50 years of concert programmes, recordings, and photographs from the Organ Loft.
• Next Generation Leadership: Roberts has appointed a deputy director—former pupil and current music teacher, Sian griffiths—to sustain and expand the initiatives beyond his retirement.
• Strategic Vision (2027‑2032):
• Expand the Portable Keyboard Programme to all primary schools in the Conwy catchment.
• Introduce a “Community Songwriting Lab” encouraging bilingual Welsh‑English compositions.
• Launch an annual “BEM Music Day” celebrating volunteerism in the arts across North Wales.

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References

1. GOV.UK – New Year Honours List 2026. https://www.gov.uk/new-year-honours-2026 (accessed 12 January 2026).
2. Welsh Government – Music in Education Impact Report 2023. https://gov.wales/music-education-report (accessed 10 January 2026).
3. Conwy County Borough Council – Community Arts Grants 2024. https://www.conwy.gov.uk/arts-grants (accessed 8 January 2026).