The Choir at Hoddinott Hall, WMC 2017
The Choir was formed in 1962 by Clifford Bunford. Originally a choir of around 25 singers, over the years the choir has expanded and has since given performances of all the major choral works, sometimes jointly with other local choirs. During its many successful seasons the choir has performed most of Bach's cantatas and the great choral passions. When Cliff retired in 2003 his place was taken by Dr Tim Taylor who conducted the choir until his retirement in 2015 when Mr. Luke Spencer was appointed the choir’s musical director. Our current Musical Director Stephen Moore was appointed in July 2020 when Luke moved to Pembrokeshire
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists and we continue to encourage up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD)
In December 2015 Cardiff Bach Choir visited Stuttgart and sang with Stuttgarter Oratorienchor in the Liederhalle to an audience of some 1500 people in a concert which featured the work of JS Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning if the two cities. The German Choir joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The programme featured a rare performance of Grace Williams Ave Maris Stella together with William Matthias Let the People Praise Thee and Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater.
In 2018 the choir linked with Morriston Tabernacle choir for a memorable trip to Rome when we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peters Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peters Basilica. We maintain our links with Luke and his choirs and in July 2023 we were delighted to join Cor Dyfed for an unforgettable performance of Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater in the wonderful setting of St David's Cathedral
While we continue to explore new avenues, and develop exciting programmes, now under the baton of Stephen Moore, with programmes including 20th century composers, we are not forgetting our original aims and the work of Bach and his contemporaries will continue to feature regularly in our programmes.
The Choir has performed with well-known international and local soloists and we continue to encourage up and coming young singers from Cardiff University (DMCU) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD)
In December 2015 Cardiff Bach Choir visited Stuttgart and sang with Stuttgarter Oratorienchor in the Liederhalle to an audience of some 1500 people in a concert which featured the work of JS Bach and John Rutter. The visit was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning if the two cities. The German Choir joined Cardiff Bach Choir in May2016 at a concert in Llandaff Cathedral in a much acclaimed programme featuring all Welsh modern composers. The programme featured a rare performance of Grace Williams Ave Maris Stella together with William Matthias Let the People Praise Thee and Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater.
In 2018 the choir linked with Morriston Tabernacle choir for a memorable trip to Rome when we gave three concerts including an impromptu concert in St Peters Square singing many Welsh favourites. The highlight was singing Mass in St Peters Basilica. We maintain our links with Luke and his choirs and in July 2023 we were delighted to join Cor Dyfed for an unforgettable performance of Karl Jenkins Stabat Mater in the wonderful setting of St David's Cathedral
While we continue to explore new avenues, and develop exciting programmes, now under the baton of Stephen Moore, with programmes including 20th century composers, we are not forgetting our original aims and the work of Bach and his contemporaries will continue to feature regularly in our programmes.