Search: 

  

The Choir was formed on 23rd April 1935 by Ivor E Sims and, in its early days, concentrated primarily on competitions and local concerts. In 1937 the Choir achieved its first success at the Royal National Eisteddfod in Machynlleth, going on to win at the "National" on 6 further occasions. Whilst the focus of the Choir has changed and it no longer takes part in competitions, its members in the 21^st Century do not forget the eminence which their predecessors achieved and they constantly strive for the musical excellence in which audiences at home and overseas delight.














1952 The Choir sang at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Pictured near Trafalgar Square are (left to right) David Jones (Secretary) Ivor E Sims and William Lewis (Chairman).

 

 

Over the years, successive Musical Directors have developed and broadened the repertoire. Variety is now the hallmark of the Choir's performances which include arrangements by Dr Alwyn Humphreys MBE, Musical Director from 1979 to January 2005 and now Conductor Emeritus.

Musical Directors

Often called the unofficial ambassadors for Wales, the Choir is internationally-acclaimed as a leading exponent of male choral singing. Within the United Kingdom the Choir is in constant demand with around 25 engagements a year, including concerts, TV and after-dinner performances. Although itself a registered charity and financially self-supporting, much of its work is devoted to assisting local and national good causes, at home and overseas, such as Leukaemia Research, Action for Children, RNLI, Royal National Eisteddfod, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Save the Children Fund.

 

 The Choir on the steps of New York City Hall, morning of Monday May 14th 1973, having been presented with a symbolic key to the City. This was the first concert tour to the USA and Canada undertaken by the Orpheus. Centre of bottom row, Lyn Harry Musical Director, Evan Taylor Choir Chairman and Gerwyn Hopkins Choir Secretary

 

The Choir regularly undertakes concert tours overseas and  has been received enthusiastically in a number of visits to major cities in North America, New Zealand and Australia including standing ovations at its appearances in the world-famous Sydney Opera House. To date 28 tours have been undertaken since 1965. The full list is published here. In 2004 the Orpheus undertook two ground-breaking tours to Taiwan and to Abu Dhabi and Oman. The Choir's 2007 tour included its first concert in Dubai, en route to Australia and New Zealand.   In October 2008 the Choir sang in Geneva followed by an historic visit and informal concert at CERN – the European Centre for Nuclear Research. In November 2009 the Choir sang at Ennis and Kilkenny Cathedrals, Ireland.

 

Slide show of the historic visit to CERN and concert in the control room of the Large Hadron Collider where the Choir met First Minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan and Project Director Dr. Lyn Evans - both Vice-Presidents of the Choir.

 

Highlights of previous overseas tours have included four appearances at British Military Tattoos and Concerts in the former West Berlin, participating at International Choral Festivals in Nancy, France, and Toronto, Canada, representing Wales at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain, and becoming in 1996 the first British choir to perform at the International Choral Festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

 

In October 2001, the Independent on Sunday reported that the Choir received "five standing ovations" at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York. 

Closer to home, the Choir has performed in a variety of venues ranging from chapels and village halls to cathedrals and international-calibre concert halls. Choristers remember with delight performances in great cathedrals and concert venues and their regular appearances at Swansea's famous Brangwyn Hall. They do not, however, forget the smaller venues which can provide a warm and friendly welcome.

   

The Choir features regularly on TV and its recordings (over 60 and is featured in over 100 compilation CDs and LPs) are in great demand on radio programmes. Successful ventures into the "pop" world have included recordings with chart-topping T'Pau and the Welsh group, The Alarm (click here to view  two videos of 'A New South Wales'.). The Choir has most recently recorded with eighties pop icon Howard Jones. Current recordings are available for purchase from our online shop. 

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Choir has a long-standing policy of encouraging young Welsh singers through an annual competition organised by the Morriston Orpheus Choir Supporters' Association (MOCSA).

 

In 2004, Joy Amman Davies was made a Life Member of the Choir in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment. After 16 years as Accompanist, she was appointed Musical Director in June 2007. Our accompanists are Jo Scullin and Alice Reed. Our organist is Leslie Ryan.