Choir History
By 1890, the choir was regularly competing and winning music festivals – and even later on shared a stage with a young Luciano Pavarotti.
The Choir History
In the 1830’s iron was discovered in the Cleveland Hills, which led to the rapid development of iron production around Middlesbrough, which was situated on the banks of River Tees. As industry expanded so did the need for workers, many of these migrating from Wales.
In 1886 an accident occurred at the Middlesbrough steelworks and some of the Welsh workers were killed. A group of friends decided to get together and arrange a social event at which they sang and raised money for the bereaved families. As a result of this event the choir soon swelled ranks and under the guidance of the first Musical Director, John Morgan, grew in stature, under the name of ‘ The Apollo Male Voice Choir ‘.
By 1890 the choir was competing and winning regularly at music festivals and in 1892 and 1896, because of its large number of Welsh speaking members, it was invited to take part in the Welsh National Eisteddfods.
Many successful years followed, but after the Second World War there was a slow and steady decline in the choir’s fortunes, due to lack of membership numbers and in1955 when the late Musical Director, Gwyn Morris took up the baton, the choir had dwindled to approximately 35 choristers. Soon after this, however, the choir went from strength to strength, having successes in both National and International competitions.
The choir was also performing concert tours in many countries around the world including Norway, Switzerland, Germany, France, Yugoslavia, Poland, USA and Canada.
Additionally the choir was performing some 20 concerts annually stretching from South Yorkshire to Edinburgh.
President: Susan Robertson
Musical Director: David Beall
Chairman: Brian Nugent
Secretary: Ken Clayton
Tel:-07340 226081 email daveduncan4242@gmail.com