Mervyn Burtch was one of the most practical of composers, responding to requests for music from a wide variety of musicians throughout the community over a period spanning some sixty years. His output ranged from operas, concertos and string quartets through to a vast output for brass bands, choirs, community groups and, in particular, children. 

Born in Ystrad Mynach in South Wales's Rhymney Valley, Mervyn Burtch attended Lewis School at Pengam where he was taught by one of Wales's most significant composers, David Wynne, then the school's music teacher. In due course he took the position of Head of Music at Lewis School for GIrls, until joining the staff at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1979. Throughout that time he also produced a continuous stream of music and left over 650 works behind him.