MUSIC TEAM

2026 marks Stephen's 50th year with the choir - 25 years as a Chorister/Assistant MD and 25 year as the choir's Principal Musical Director 

Stephen was educated locally   

attending Nantyglo Comprehensive School where he began his music studies under the former conductor Mr Martin Budd who was at that time, Head of Music. Stephen enrolled as a mature student at Salford College of Technology where he studied for three years graduating with a Graduate Diploma in Band Musicianship.  

He took his postgraduate Certificate in Education at Bath College of Further Education later attaining a Master of Arts Degree in Education from the Open University in 1996. Stephen joined the Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir at the age of fifteen and was appointed Assistant Musical Director in September 1991. After serving in that post for 8 years he became the Musical Director in 2000. He is currently on the staff of the International Languages Faculty at Monmouth Comprehensive. He is also Musical Director of Abertillery Orpheus Ladies Choir, the Torfaen Male Choir and a member of the Abertillery Town Band.

At Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir, we strive to create a welcoming community that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all. Our mission is to provide a space where members can connect, learn, and grow together.

Penny Hughes studied Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Piano with various International Teachers. Penny has had a very successful career as a piano soloist and won several prizes. However, it was her love of ballet that won her over and she became a pianist for several Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Schools in London and also provided her services as an additional pianist for the Sadlers Wells Company which is now the Birmingham Royal, and with whom she has recently with again. Penny moved to Wales in 1990 and soon became involved with several Cecchetti ballet schools where she is the West Wales Associate Pianist for the society.  Penny is on the staff of the Royal Ballet School of London and plays for the specialist classes in Bath every other week. She also works every week with the Mid Wales Dance Academy, based in Brecon, and is a company pianist for the Brecon Festival Ballet.  Penny divides her time between a busy teaching / ballet schedule, being the accompanist for Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir, Torfaen Male Choir and the Pontypridd Choral Society. Finally, as if this wasn't enough, Penny is also a member of the musical team for Abertillery Orpheus Ladies Choir.  

In 2024 she composed the incidental music for a new Ballet ‘Tanio’r Ddraig’ which was premiered in April, by Brecon Festival Ballet, with choreography by Katy Sinnaduria.