The Choir's History
The Choir was formed in 1962 by Clifford Bunford. Originally a choir of around 25 singers it now has a membership of over 60. The aim of the Choir was and continues to be to promote the works of Bach and his contemporaries.
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable performances include the first performance in St Davids Hall of Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Cliff Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and recently with Paul Carey Jones in the role of Elijah at a memorable farewell concert to our conductor Dr Tim Taylor. Over the years we have encouraged up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) many of whom are now well known in the field of opera and in the concert hall.
Since its inception, the choir has had only two conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80s and, for the past 12 years, Dr Timothy Taylor who retired in July 2015. We have now started a new and exciting chapter with the appointment of our new conductor Luke Spencer who took up the baton on September 1st 2015.
The Choir continues to play a major part in the amateur choral scene in Cardiff.
During the 1980’s the choir expanded to allow performances of the larger works and oratorios and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. Notable performances include the first performance in St Davids Hall of Britten’s War Requiem under the leadership of Cliff Bunford. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists including Kate Woolveridge, Angharad Morgan and recently with Paul Carey Jones in the role of Elijah at a memorable farewell concert to our conductor Dr Tim Taylor. Over the years we have encouraged up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) many of whom are now well known in the field of opera and in the concert hall.
Since its inception, the choir has had only two conductors, the first being its founder, Clifford Bunford who continued to lead the choir well into his 80s and, for the past 12 years, Dr Timothy Taylor who retired in July 2015. We have now started a new and exciting chapter with the appointment of our new conductor Luke Spencer who took up the baton on September 1st 2015.
The Choir continues to play a major part in the amateur choral scene in Cardiff.