Today, more than five decades on, the Gwent Bach Society, as the group was christened by the former South Wales Argus editor and music critic, Ken Loveland, is still going strong and can boast among its past presidents, Pablo Casals and Paul Tortelier.

The brainchild of two local doctors, brothers Lloyd and Trevor Davies, the Gwent Bach Society's aim was to perform and bring to public attention the works of Bach and his contemporaries.

In addition to performances of works by other composers and several premieres of contemporary works, the Society has performed over 65 of Bach's cantatas and all the motets and major works.

Beginning as an orchestral Society, the group soon attracted many local singers, and has now become exclusively choral, drafting in professional musicians under the Gwent Bach umbrella whenever necessary.

Under the baton of their first conductor, local head teacher Frank Salter, the group grew in acclaim, and in 1956, just five years after their formation, took first prize at the National Eisteddfod in Aberdare.

From its very start; the members of the Gwent Bach Society have always held dear the notion that they come together to share a common love of music and many of the Society's members have been associated with the choir since its formation. With the emphasis firmly on musical quality and authenticity, the Society has always provided a balance between drawing soloists from its own ranks, and introducing new, young talent on the threshold of glittering careers. It provided early opportunities for the likes of Gwynne Howells and Elizabeth Harwood.

Although Lloyd Davies has filled the role of conductor for many years, guest conductors are frequently attracted to Abergavenny and in recent years have included John Hugh Thomas and Roy Massey, both of whom will be conducting concerts this year.

In addition to those who have travelled to Abergavenny to perform with the Society, its success has been watched from afar by those drawn into association with the thriving group. Among these were the Society's first president, cellist Pablo Casals, who wrote frequent letters of support to the Society and its founder Lloyd Davies, who invited him to become its president, whilst holidaying near Casals' home in Spain in 1953.

Upon Casals' death in 1976, fellow cellist Paul Tortelier was invited to step into the president's position that he held until his death when the role was taken over by Dr George Guest.

Long time member Mari Tranter, who took over the collating of the Society's scrapbooks from Kathleen Vaughan, has captured the full history of the Gwent Bach Society through its programmes and press clippings. The vast array of clippings, reviews and letters had been stored for many years in boxes until they were formed into two large albums by another long time Society member, Iris Coldrey.

Using the information in the scrapbooks, Iris has also collated a history of the Society which records every concert ever performed its Programme and soloists who took part.

"Sorne of the programmes and letters were deteriorating from being in storage, so we bought some big albums and set them out neatly," said Iris, who then began the painstaking research needed to compile the record of concerts and performances. Both records bring to life the Society's long history and it has been suggested that moves be made to publish the story of the Society in the future.

A look through the records brings vivid reminders of many of the well-known names, which are such a part of Abergavenny's musical history. Included are names like Leo Harrington, the Society's accompanist for some 40 years and now its Vice President, Dorothy Woods; the orchestra's first leader, Ruth Ticher, who combined playing with the Gwent Bach Society with her 'day job' at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden; Ken Loveland, a life member of the Society and the Society's unsung hero; music librarian Lawrence Green.

"So many of these people have been connected with the Society since its start and have done wonderful work in keeping it going," says Iris, a former Chairman of the Society who retired last year after 25 years.

She describes the Gwent Bach Society as 'one big happy family' and a 'remarkable Society for a small town.' She attributes much of its success to the dedication of its founders and its committee

"Both Lloyd and Trevor Davies should have been musicians rather than doctors, and worked tirelessly to establish the society," she said, recalling that in addition to his musical skills, Trevor was not averse to turning his hand to instrument-making if the occasion de-manded it.  "A 1964 performance of the St John Passion called for a viola de gamba. and two viola d'amores, all of which Trevor made," said Iris.

It was in 1985 however, that the Society came to nationwide acclaim, when to mark the 300th anniversary of Bach's birth, the Society hosted the first ever two-day Bach Festival.  Rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences greeted the festival, which included perfor-mances by the Society, as well as guests Bruno Schrecker and Peter Boorman, and there were calls for the festival to become an annual event.  The amount of work needed for the voluntary committee to organise an annual event was immense and so it was decided that it should be held every two years, a tradition followed until 1995 when the second two-day festival was held.

This time run in conjunction with the Tourist Association and coinciding with Abergavenny Arts Festival, the event attracted sell out audiences, who filled the Angel Hotel, where Trusthouse had offered it as one of its music weekends. This time audiences from all over the world sang the praises of the Gwent Bach Society. "In the past 50 years the Society has been very lucky to have a fantastic committee made up of people there for the love of the music and nothing else".

"What is reassuring is the knowledge that at a time of change, when one generation is slowly handing over to the next, the Gwent Bach Society has a marvellous group of people ready to take over.  Therefore those handing over, do so with great confidence in those following them and in the future of the Society" said Iris Coldrey.