Passing: Dr Roy Wales BEM - Inaugural Festival Director, Founder and Vice President

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr Roy Wales BEM. Roy founded the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival in 2003, was its first Festival Director and latterly was made Vice President of the organisation. Roy was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020 for services to Choral Music and was a hugely respected musical director in many genres of music making. His work in the early 2000’s, along with sheer passion and determination, created the legacy that still is one of the largest festivals of male choral music in the world. As part of this Roy led many masterclasses that inspired numerous choristers and emerging choral directors which has added to the legacy already created but just as importantly afforded many musical friends along the way. Roy will be sorely missed and our sincere condolences are offered to his wife Chris and the family at this sad time.