Classical Musician Stephen Broom to Receive ‘Ponty and Proud’ Accolade

Pontypridd Town Council has announced that it will be adding Pontypridd classical musician Stephen Broom to its Ponty and Proud Board housed within Pontypridd Museum. This civic honour publicly acknowledges those members of the Pontypridd community who have made meaningful contributions for the benefit of others.

Stephen Broom was born and raised in Laurel Avenue in Hawthorn attending Hawthorn Infants and Junior Schools, and Pontypridd Boys Grammar before going on to study at the Royal Academy of Music. His father Lew worked as the manager of Crown Wallpapers in Pontypridd for many years and his mother Jesse was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Hawthorn throughout her lifetime.

Stephen did not finish his course in the academy as he was offered a position, at the age of 19,  in the BBC Welsh Orchestra, and remained there for 5 years. He then went on to the BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as principal viola. The last twenty years of his professional career were spent as the principal viola at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden prior to his retirement approximately ten years ago.

For the last twenty years Mr Broom has been tutoring the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, ten years of which he was still working in Covent Garden. On retiring, he and his wife Julia moved to Talybont on Usk. He then began conducting the Gwent Chamber Orchestra where Julia is the leader. He was awarded an Associateship of the Royal Academy 21 years ago.

Mr Broom was nominated for the ‘Ponty and Proud’ accolade by Councillor Cathy Lisles.

Cllr Lisles said,

To celebrate this honour Pontypridd Town Council will be hosting a reception on Wednesday 18th September, at 15:00 hours where Mr Broom will officially be presented with this honour.