TRIBUTES have been paid to Aberystwyth cellist and conductor, Geraint John.

The former employee of the UWA Music Department died on Monday, 15 January, aged 86.

He had been suffering from Parkinson’s and dementia for a couple of years and had a stroke, from which he did not recover, on Thursday, 11 January.

Paying tribute to his father, son Gareth John said: “He had a peaceful end.

“He was always willing to give people his time and he enjoyed his music.

“At his funeral last Thursday (18 January), there were many choir members there and they all said he was lots of fun. He is fondly remembered by all he came in to contact with.

“And his legacy lives on in his pupils and through me, as I am a professional cellist, and my son who plays the violin. My siblings also play instruments.”

Geraint, who leaves behind two sons, Gareth, Kevin and daughter Susan, spent his final years at Blaenos Nursing Home, Llandovery, and was previously of Penrhyncoch.

He was born at Gowerton, near Swansea in 1931.

He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales from its earliest days and during National Service, he played as a clarinettist with the Central Band of the RAF with whom he marched at the Queen’s coronation.

His appointment in 1963 as cellist in the chamber ensemble of the University College, Aberystwyth brought him back to Wales and chamber music remained a constant pleasure through his later years when his friends would regularly come round for an afternoon playing string quartets in his living room.

It was choral singing, though, that was probably his greatest love - one which took him all over Wales - and he conducted the National Eisteddfod Choir at Machynlleth in 1981.

However, it was in 1970, over a cup of coffee at the Penguin Café, haunt of the music department, that Geraint first discussed with his friends the idea of reviving the town’s mixed choir.

Aberystwyth has a long and honourable tradition of choral singing including the golden ages of the Master of the King’s Musick, Sir Walford Davies and Charles Clements and the re-formed Aberystwyth Choral Society attracted 120 singers for its performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 1970; a work reprised for Geraint’s final performance with his choir.

Aberystwyth University’s director of music, Dr David Russell Hulme, took over the Aberystwyth Choral Society after Geraint’s retirement.

He had known Geraint since student days in the 1970s and played in many of his performances.

“I have so many memories of Geraint that will always remain with me - a vivid, charismatic character who did so much for music here,” he said.

“As a conductor, Geraint had the gifts of being convey a sense of excitement and joy in making music and of inspiring people to give of their very best.”

A total of £246 was donated at Geraint’s funeral service which will be divided between Parkinson’s UK and Alzheimer’s UK.