Music played an important part of cultural and community life in the South Wales Coalfield. Brass bands, choirs, jazz bands and operatic societies were formed to raise money and spirits. Talents were showcased at local or National Eisteddfodau and miners’ galas.
Choirs and Operatic Societies
The Ystalyfera and District Choral Society at the Royal Jubilee Command Performance, 1935 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/16) 
Dowlais Male Voice Society at the National Eisteddfod, 1903 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/7) 
Cwmtwrch Operatic Society in costume, c 1930 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/22)
Jazz bands
Graig Miners Perfect Musicians Band during the 1926 coal strike, parading their banner (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/36) 
Tredegar Jazz Band in fancy dress, winners of the Jazz Band championship of Rhymney, 1926 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/48) 
Tredegar Jazz Band in fancy dress. 1926 (c) (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/47)
Brass and silver bands
Ystradgynlais Silver Band at the Oddfellows Church School, 1927 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/56) 
Ystalyfera Public Band in Commercial Street, 1907 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/53
Eisteddfodau and Galas
Page from souvenir programme for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Jul 1954 ( (Ref. SWCC/MNA/PP/35/53/23) 
Front cover of programme for 23rd Annual South Wales Miners’ Eisteddfod, Porthcawl, 1970 (Ref. SWCC/MNA/PP/35/53/11) 
Ticket for ball to celebrate the opening of Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall, 1934 (Ref. SWCC/MNA/NUM/I/41/49b) 
Children’s choir at Porthcawl for the eisteddfod, 1955 (Ref. SWCC/PHO/REC/2/18)