George Henry Parcell (1895 - 1967)
My grandfather was choirmaster at Saron chapel, Gendros, Swansea and wrote many hymns.
"His home in ‘ Mile End ’ was a true academy of music with an ever-open door to welcome students free of charge. Under his influence Fforest-fach developed as a centre of musical culture of the first order. People flocked from far and wide to the annual concerts in Saron chapel to listen to the choir and to world-renowned artists performing the works of the masters. But above all, he taught generation after generation to master the tonic sol-fa thereby enabling them to sing hymns and anthems in four-part harmony. One cannot consider church music in Wales without being reminded of the contribution which he and others like him have made. In this context he represents a generation of benefactors whose importance cannot be exaggerated."
I have produced a fantasia for piano based on four of his hymns.
