New South Wales Choirs
About the Cantorion & Sydney Welsh Choirs

Cantorion Sydney
Sydney’s newest choir has celebrated its public debut with an exhilarating performance marking the 161st anniversary of historic St Peter’s Presbyterian Church, North Sydney.

Cantorion Sydney – a male voice choir in the Welsh tradition – entertained a packed congregation with a program of sacred songs, hymns and folk songs from Italy, Germany, Scotland, Russia and Wales on St David's day 2006 .The 90-minute concert, which celebrated the Welsh national day was the first in a series of concerts to bring a focus to the meaning of being welsh on March 1st. The choir, guided by Welsh-born music director John Lloyd and accompanied by accomplished pianist Rachel Harding, has 24 tenor, baritone and bass singers ranging in age from 25 to 70-plus. Its repertoire from countries around the world also includes works from England, Ireland and Spain.“We are delighted that our first St David's day performance was received with such enthusiasm,” said John Lloyd, formerly a senior lecturer in music at UTS. “We are very fortunate that we are able to practise at St Peter’s each week in such a beautiful environment with wonderful acoustics.”Cantorian Sydney choir now aims to strengthen its sound with more voices.

“ Whether you sing tenor, baritone or bass – and whether or not you can read music – you’ll find a welcome at our weekly practice sessions at St Peter’s each Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m.,” said John Lloyd. “Singers who can hold a tune and have an appetite for great music are welcome to telephone me on 9979 5584 or the Secretary on 96272645 for more information.“Or just turn up for practice on a Wednesday night at St Peters, in Blues Point Road 100 metres from North Sydney Railway Station.”

Sydney Welsh Choir
The Sydney Welsh Choir began in 1978 as an extension of the late Sydney Welsh Rugby Club. Over the years it has grown into a substantial independent choir of more than fifty men and women, drawn from all parts of the Sydney area. Not all choir members were born in Wales; some have Welsh family links while others simply like being part of a group, which sings with such evident enjoyment and enthusiasm. Their concert schedule is demanding with performances most weekends. The Choir has graced well known venues such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Town Hall. More frequent engagements take place in churches, retirement villages and clubs. The Sydney Welsh Choir is always happy to entertain visitors or potential new choristers (male and female) at its practice sessions. These are held most Wednesday evenings at 7.00pm at the church hall of Concord Baptist Church, Carrington St, Concord (North Strathfield) just off Concord Rd near the end of the M4. This is one of the most accessible places in the Sydney metropolitan area; some choir members come from the Central Coast, Blue Mts, Campbelltown, Northern Beaches and Sutherland Shire.

In 2006 the choir undertook its fifth UK tour in 16 years, travelling via Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium to England and Wales. On previous tours we have sang with such famous choirs as the Vienna Male Chorus, and in such magnificent venues as Canterbury Cathedral and the Madeleine in Paris. New members will be eligible for the generous choir discounts applying to such unforgettable tours.