Musical Director: Ruth Gittins

Ruth Gittins was born in Cardiff in 1972. She was educated at Whitchurch High School where she studied music A-level and performed in the choir and played oboe in the orchestras and windband.

After this Ruth went on to study a Bmus degree at University of Wales, Cardiff. She studied the recital option of the degree and performed repertoire from Oratorio, Opera, Lieder, Chanson, English song and Welsh song. Whilst at school and university Ruth benefited greatly from the vocal training of the internationally renowned singer Maureen Guy – a lady whom she is indebted to for her training and enthusiasm for the beautiful instrument, the voice.

Ruth then went on to lead the music department in a further education college for two years and then re-trained as a secondary school teacher. In 2000 she met her husband, Lawrence, and after their wedding in 2001 carried on working for a while. During this time she was introduced to Côr Merched Maldwyn and the relationship flourished. “It is a great pleasure and thoroughly enjoyable to conduct and work with this wonderful group of ladies.”

Ruth is currently looking at extending the repertoire of the choir and is hoping to write further arrangements of her own for them to perform. She is also hoping to compose more of her own music for them to perform after the success of her Christmas Cantata – “News of Great Cheer”. Along side this Ruth looks after her children, Bronwen (aged 4), Eleri (aged 2) and her step-daughter Niobe (aged 15), whilst doing some private singing, theory and other teaching.

Ruth is very grateful for the hard work and support she gains from the choir (particularly Gay Roberts) and also from her husband and her parents. She has enjoyed watching the choir develop and sees a good future ahead as she knows the support is there.