William Mathias

Name: Mari Lloyd Pritchard
Job: Director

Interrogating Mari...

Since when do you work for the service?
Since September 2009 as a director but I've been conducting Côr Ieuenctid Môn for 4 years - and enjoy every second of it!

What do you do in the office from day to day?
It's an interesting time at the moment since I'm still learnig about all the elements of the Service. My time at the moment goes on planning the direction and development of the service over the next 3 years. Also, keeping in contact with tutors, talking and working with the accountant, keeping in contact with the scholls and Education Direcrors, discussing with the trustees, provide reports and think of many exciting things we can do with the fantastic ensembles we have that are part of the service.

When did you start to have an interest in music?
I come from a musical family - that is - my mother and father were members of many choirs and my sister and I used to go to many rehearsals with them! I have no doubt that that's where my interest in choral music started. Learning the piano when I was 8 years old gave me the freedom, eventually, to be able to accompany in the chapel and the society and so on and then onwards to start composing - this gave me great pleasure. Then of course - Ysgol Bodedern and the leadership of two inspiring teachers - Delyth Rees and Sioned Webb were a very big influence on me!

Do you play any instruments?
I'm a singer at heart - that was my main instrument in the university. I can play the piano and a couple of Dafydd Iwan-like chords on the guitar!

What music do you like listening to?
All kinds of things! I'm very fond of quirky elements in songs and don't like nothing too predictable! Recently, Shirley Bassey's new songs have been a big hit for me! But usually - Simply Red, Erasure, Faure, Mozart, Super Furries, Black Eyed Peas etc etc etc

What is your most memorable personal performing experience?
Without a doubt, conducting Côr Ieuentid Môn at the Albert Hall, London in September 2009. Winning the prize for the Best Conductor in the Côr Cymru competition in 2007 was also a very emotional climax.

What makes you laugh?
Things that I shouldn't laugh about!! Like people tripping or falling...

Which supernatural power would you like to have and why?!
The power to create more hours in a day!

Is 10 a solitary number?
Yes - I don't like crowds - and ten, to me, is a crowd - so you're lonely in a crowd that's too big!! What kind of a question is this??

[A semi-philosophical question maybe...I was hoping you'd solve one of the unsolved mathematical problems... Ed.]

Name: Ann Pritchard Jones
Job: Manager

Interrogating Ann...

Since when do you work for the service?
October 1999

What do you do in the office from day to day?
I am titled the manager and my main role is to ensure that the our staff and customers are all happy. I take great pleasure in helping schools achieve the best service possible and also deal with staff issues on a daily basis. I am also responsible for the Financial System that entails processing wages, sorting out PAYE, contracts and much more!

When did you start to have an interest in music?
Don't tell anyone...I'm not a musical person! I received piano lessons when I was younger, but that was it.

Do you play any instruments?
Piano (grade 6 in my day...probably hopeless by now!)

What music do you like listening to?
I have to say that I listen to a little bit of everything ! I currently have Westlife and Bryn Fôn Cd's in the car and allthough I am not a musician, I really enjoy listening to the pieces performed by our young students.

What is your most memorable personal performing experience?
Doing a piano duet at Llanberis village Eisteddfod in 19** - one of the few performing experiences!

What makes you laugh?
Pigeons

Which supernatural power would you like to have and why?!
The ability to be invisible so I can get on with my work in peace!!

Is 10 a solitary number?

What on earth are you on about?!