Arts Council of Wales pays tribute to Roy Bohana, musician, conductor and former deputy director of the Welsh Arts Council.

The Chair of the Arts Council of Wales today expressed his sadness at news of the death of the musician and conductor, Roy Bohana.

Commenting today, Phil George said:

“Roy Bohana was a significant and well‑respected figure in the cultural life of Wales.  His busy professional career included his work as a musician, conductor and adjudicator.  During his many years of service to Wales, he was a catalyst for some of the country’s most important musical events, with the most obvious perhaps being his involvement with the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the North Wales International Music Festival.  He was also instrumental in working with the BBC to enhance the scale and reputation of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.  It was entirely fitting that his contribution was acknowledged by the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with an Honorary Fellowship.

“He was also, for many years, Deputy Director and Music Director of the Welsh Arts Council, the predecessor body to the Arts Council  of Wales.  He fulfilled these roles with great distinction. He will be sadly missed.”

Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru yn talu teyrnged i’r cerddor a’r arweinydd Roy Bohana, a fu hefyd yn ddirprwy gyfarwyddwr y Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymreig.

 Mynegodd Cadeirydd Cyngor celfyddydau Cymru ei dristwch heddiw o glywed y newydd am farwolaeth y cerddor a’r arweinydd, Roy Bohana.

 Gan siarad heddiw, dywedodd Phil George:

“Roedd Roy Bohana yn adnabyddus ac uchel ei barch ym mywyd diwylliannol Cymru. Cwmpasodd ei yrfa broffesiynol waith fel cerddor, arweinydd a beirniad.  Yn ystod ei flynyddoedd maith o wasanaeth i Gymru, bu’n anogwr brwd i rai o ddigwyddiadau cerddorol pwysicaf ein cenedl, gydag Eisteddfod Ryngwladol Llangollen a Gŵyl Gerdd Rynglwadol Gogledd Cymru ymhlith yr amlycaf.  Bu’n allweddol hefyd o ran gweithio gyda’r BBC i ehangu a hyrwyddo enw da Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC.  Roedd yn gwbl addas i’w gyfraniad dderbyn cydnabyddiaeth Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru trwy iddo gael ei ddyfarnu’n Gymrawd er Anrhydedd.

 “Am flynyddoedd lawer, bu’n Ddirprwy Gyfarwyddwr ac yn Gyfarwyddwr Cerdd y Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymreig, rhagflaenydd Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru.  Cyflawnodd y naill swydd fel y llall ag arddeliad. Mae’n golled fawr ar ei ôl.”