Dr Mike Thomas MBE
Mike was born in Tonmawr, a small village in the hills above Neath. He has been involved in music all his life: as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth orchestra and choir, a church organist, and as a soloist with various Operetta Societies. The Pelenna Valley Male Voice Choir was born in 1980 and Mike was appointed assistant musical director to Sid Jones. He remained in that role until he emigrated to Aberdare, married and started a family. In 1994 Mike was asked to return and help out for a short period of time. Mike has been our Musical Director ever since.
Mike is also passionate about rugby. He gained 6 school boy caps as captain of the Welsh Schools' rugby team, went on to captain Loughborough Colleges and is now the President of Tonmawr RFC.
A Craft teacher by profession he worked at Blaengwawr Comprehensive School for 31 years, retiring in 2014 as deputy headteacher. Mike was passionate about his subject as a means of engaging all pupils in learning. This theme formed the basis of his Doctorate awarded from Loughborough University in 2008.
Mike is married to Margaret and they have two sons: William, a former organ scholar at Oxford, and Jac, who has recently been awarded a scholarship to study trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. It is a musical family underpinned by Margaret’s unerring support and understanding.
Retirement has brought an opportunity to pursue his musical interests. He was invited to conduct Cwmdare Voices which was founded in 2012. Mike was honoured and delighted to be invited to also conduct Cwmbach Male Voice, which was founded in 1921.
Mike has toured Europe extensively – Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Croatia. To celebrate his 60th birthday, in 2019, Mike took a group of 36 choristers made up from all 3 choirs on tour to Australia and Singapore; a once in a lifetime experience. Despite his extensive commitments, Mike will always remain committed to the choir based in the village he was born in.