Lloyd, David John De., 1883-1948

David John de Lloyd was born on the 30th of April 1883 at Skewen, near Neath. His father's work as an insurance representative meant that they moved on several occasions, before settling in Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

De Lloyd's musical talent was obvious from an early age. Whilst living in Carmarthen in 1894, he witnessed J S Curwen give a lecture as part of the South Wales Tonic-solffa convention. Over the next two years, he accompanied Curwen on several trips across Britain and Ireland, demonstrating the unusual assets of the new notation.

De Lloyd was educated at Aberystwyth, and won the Cardiganshire scholarship to the University of Wales College in the same town. He graduated with a BA in History in 1903, and received his BMus in 1905. He would later receive another BMus from Dublin in 1913, and his doctorate from the same institution two years later. With the aim of nurturing his talent, the University Committee collected £100 for de Lloyd to support his studies at the Leipzig Music Academy in Germany. He attended a year long course at the institution, 1906-07.

On his return from Germany, de Lloyd took up teaching, and taught at schools in Woolwich (1908-11) and Llanelli (1911-19). It was during this period, in 1911, that he married Lillian Morgan of Aberystwyth.

De Lloyd returned to Aberystwyth in 1919, taking a post as lecturer in the University College of Wales' Music Department. He assumed responsibility for the choral society and the college orchestra, along with weekly departmental concerts. He was made professor in 1926, a position he was to hold until his death on August 20th 1948.

De Lloyd composed a great many original pieces, and arranged many works by other composers. Amongst his most famous compositions are the opera Gwenllian and the lyrical piece Tir na n'Og .

From the guide to the David de Lloyd Papers, 1860-[ca. 1952], (Aberystwyth University)