Patron Karl Jenkins OBE

Musical Director Keith Orrel

Accompanist Stephen Hargreaves

The Liverpool Welsh Choral Union is one of Britain's leading Choral Societies with a singing membership of 160, and will celebrate its centenary in the year 2000. It was founded in 1900, following an Eisteddfod held in Liverpool, from a choir of over 400 voices, and as the event had been a success the choir that had been formed for the occasion decided to stay together and chose its present name.

Its first conductor, Harry Evans was held in the highest regard by composers and conductors of the time as one of the finest choir trainers in the country. He championed the new works of Edward Elgar who became a vice president of the Society together with Edward German and Granville Bantock.

After Harry's death in 1914 application were received for chorus Master including a young Adrian Boult, and at the conclusion of the Second World War the choir appointed Sir Malcolm Sargent as Principal Conductor. Because of his relationship with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra there began an association with this fine ensemble that has lasted to the present day. Thus the Liverpool Welsh Choral Union became one of Sargent's three main choirs, the other two being the Huddersfield Choral Society and the Royal Choral Society. There is a sonnet in Memory of Harry Evans.

The choir since Sargent's death has been associated with the finest talent of British conductors including Pritchard, Groves, Gibson, Davies, Willcocks, Handford (who became
Principal Conductor after Sargent), Owain Arwel Hughes, Cleobury and many others.

It has won critical acclaim for its performances of the great classics, especially the works of Elgar, but is now equally at home with opera and popular music, and has broadcast many times with the BBC.

As well as performing regularly in Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall, the choir is committed to taking music into the community of Merseyside and beyond and working in partnership with all local organisations that wish tobring quality arts to the people. A significant current development is the col1aboration with Liverpool Hope University college in providing Summer Schools and Master Classes and local Arts Festivals.

Although the choir has its root in the Liverpool/Welsh traditions, membership is open to anyone who enjoys singing and making good music.

The Choir has about seven concerts each season, and rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings between September and late May. As each concert draws near additional rehearsals may occur. Most concerts are on Saturday evenings with full rehearsals in the afternoon.

The Choir is also available for charity events. For details and general information contact the

Concert Secretary on 01704 876153