Gomer Llewellyn Jones was born in Morriston, Glamorganshire, Wales on December 11, 1911. A son of a Presbyterian minister, he began composing music at the age of seven. From there, his love of music continue for all of his life. He attended the University of Wales in Cardiff and graduated with Honors in B. A. Latin (1932), B. A. Greek (1933), and B. Music with Exercise (1934). Jones came to the United States and studied at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and received his M. M. in Composition in 1936.

Before working at MSU, Jones worked for the Welsh National Council of Music from 1936 to 1938. During his time with the Council, Jones would take little string orchestras out to the unemployed Welsh coal miners during the 1930s Depression and play music, just to try and cheer them up. Jones began working at MSU as a member of the music faculty in September 1938, starting out as an instructor and being promoted to professor in 1956. While also teaching, Jones became director of the MSU Chorus and Orchestra in 1948.

The MSU Chorus and Orchestra was a huge success on campus because during Jones’ tenure, it was open to all students that wanted to sing but didn’t have to audition for a spot. Two concerts were held a year, a Christmas program in December and a Good Friday concert in April. During the Christmas program, Jones taught the audience a new Christmas carol. He retired from the University Chorus director in 1976.

Jones is also known for publishing several musical works. Composing under the name of Llywelyn Gomer, he published musical works, such as “The Divine Mystery” (1943) and “The Sunken Village” (1943). The New York Philharmonic and the symphony orchestras of Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and London have performed several pieces of Jones’s work. Also in 1941, Jones served as a music consultant for 20th Century Fox on the film “How Green was My Valley.”

Jones married Helen Electa Worcester on June 19, 1943 in East Lansing. Together, they had three children. He retired from MSU in June 1977 but sadly passed away on September 1, 1977 following a long illness.