THE Choir originated in 1880 to prepare for Mr. R. T. Booth's Temperance Mission, organised by the Cardiff Temperance and Prohibition Association, which took place in January, 1881. The preliminary arrangements being in the hands of Messrs. W. Morgan, T, S. Jones, A. H. N. Reddaway, and Mr. A. W. Pyle (present Hon. Secretary). Mr. Jacob Davies was appointed Conductor of Mission Choir.

The singing at the Mission was so highly appreciated that at its conclusion the Choir was established on a permanent basis for the purpose of continuing the Saturday Night Popular Temperance Meetings which were held at the Old Circus (on site of present Post Office), Wood Street Chapel, Stuart Hall, and finally the Cory Hall, built in 1896 for these Meetings, by the munificence of the late Mr. John Cory who was a generous Patron of the Choir. Mr. A. H. N. Reddaway, as Secretary of Mission Choir, organised the first visit to the Crystal Palace Festival, with Mr. Pyle acting as Assistant Secretary. After the Festival Mr. Pyle became Secretary, with the, late Mr. Frank Fifoot acting as Corresponding Secretary.

Since its formation, about 2,500 Choristers have passed through the ranks of the Choir - many have since achieved prominence as Conductors and Vocalists in all parts of the Empire.

Achievements

Formed primarily for Temperance Work, the Choir has not confined itself solely to this work, although holding the unique record of having provided over 2,600 musical programmes for the Saturday Night Meetings which have been maintained without a single break for 50 years. Many organisations have benefited from assistance given by the Choir, to mention a few-Park Hall Sunday Afternoon Services, Inmates of City Lodge and Mental Hospital, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Dr. Barnado's Homes, Institute for Blind, Soldiers' and Sailors' Rest, Salvation Army, etc., etc. During the War nearly �1,000 was raised for War Hospitals.

As indicated by Honours List, a high standard of proficiency has been attained. Whilst in no sense a competitive Choir, the prize list compares favourably with the keenest competitive Choirs. The Choir has gained distinction by Choral Works performed, including such standards as " Elijah," " Stabat Mater " (Dvorak), " Requiem Mass " (Mozart), " St. Paul " " Creation," " St. John's Eve," " King Olaf," " Hiawatha," " Messiah," etc., etc., Upon two occasions the " Messiah " has been performed at Llandaff Cathedral (for benefit of Cardiff Infirmary). Concerts have also been given at the City Temple, London ; Colston Hall, Bristol (in conjunction with Dr. Riseley) ; Bournemouth Pavilion (in conjunction with Sir Dan. Godfrey) ; Newport, Penarth, etc., etc.

It is interesting to note that on four occasions the Choir Conductor has been honoured to conduct the Massed Choirs at the Crystal Palace, viz. Mr. J. F. Proud in 1902; Mr. Jenkyn Morris in 1911 and 1923; and the present Conductor, Mr. Ronald Chivers, will conduct the Massed Choir this year.

Royal Command

In 1912 the Choir was honoured by Command to give a Concert before Their Majesties The King and Queen on board the Royal Yacht. Their Majesties expressed great pleasure at the singing of the Choir. The Conductor (Mr. Jenkyn Morris) and Secretary (Mr. A. W. Pyle) being subsequently presented to Their Majesties, and the Members of Choir were entertained in the Ward Room on board the Royal Yacht.

Constitution of Choir

The Choir is a Registered Friendly Society and is managed by the following Honorary Officers :-Two Trustees, Conductor, Treasurer, Secretary, Two Assistant Secretaries, Two Librarians, and a Committee of Seven - the whole of whom are elected annually.

All members must be total abstainers. Candidates for membership must be proposed and seconded by members of Choir and submitted for acceptance by Committee; they must also pass a musical examination.

The Choir meets for Rehearsal at the Cory Hall every Tuesday evening at 7.45, and for Meeting or Concert every Saturday at 7.30.

Musical Library.

The Choir possesses an extensive repetoire of music, comprising hundreds of choruses part-songs, etc., also many Oratorio works, which are constantly being added to, and involve a considerable annual expense, in order to meet the Choir's many engagements. The Choir owns a valuable Musical Library including over 400 volumes of standard books on music - chiefly of an educational and biographical nature.

Annual Subscribers.

The Committee appeal for Annual Subscribers. Subscribers of One Guinea are entitled to Four First Seat Tickets at Annual Concert ; Half-a-Guinea, Two First Seat Tickets ; Five Shillings, Two Second Seat Tickets. All Subscribers are allowed free use of Choir Library. Applications and remittances may be forwarded to Mr. A. W. Pyle, 11, Berthwin Street, Cardiff.

Honours List

1881-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1883-First Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1885-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1886-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1887-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1889-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1891-First Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1893-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1894-First Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1896-First Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1897-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1898-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.

1899-Second Prize, Welsh National Eisteddfod (Cardiff).

1900-First Prize and Challenge Shield, Crystal Palace Festival.

1901-First Prize, Welsh National Eisteddfod (Merthyr).

1902-First and Second Prizes, Semi-National Eisteddfod (Brecon).

1903-First Prize, Semi-National Eisteddfod (Abergavenny).

1906-Second Prize (Male Voice) Crystal Palace.

1908-First Prize and Challenge Shield, Crystal Palace Festival.

1909-First Prize and Challenge Shield, Crystal Palace Festival.

1910-First Prize and Challenge Cup, Southampton Festival.

1913-Second Prize, Leicester Festival.

1928-Second Prize, Crystal Palace Festival.