The London Welsh Male Voice Choir was formed in 1902 and quickly gained a reputation for excellence in performance and success in competition in England, Wales and Paris. Disrupted by the two World Wars, the Choir was re-established in 1961 and now has over one hundred members.
In the 1970s the Choir broke new ground in the recording field. Take Me Home, the title song of its 1975 Album, established “pop” in the male voice programme, and is now part of the repertoire of many male choirs throughout the world. It has continued to release distinctive recordings, in 2002 a special Double CD, One Hundred Years of Music commemorated the choir’s centenary; in 2015 it recorded its memorable Lleisiau o’r Ddinas / Voices from the City CD. In 2018 “Live at Central Hall Westminster” was issued, and just launched the latest CD is “Hymns” from The London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs.
The Choir has sung at many of Britain’s most prestigious concert halls and cathedrals, has appeared twice at the Royal Variety Command Performance and has recorded with Charlotte Church, Aled Jones and Bryn Terfel. In contrast, the Choir has also been the backing group to the pop band “Take That” at Earls Court. In the sporting arena it has thrilled crowds at many stadiums, including the Stade de France, Paris, Twickenham and Lord’ s Cricket Ground.
In August 2007, it became the first male voice choir to sing at the new Wembley Stadium prior to the Rugby League Cup Final and has also sung many times at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, prior to Wales’s home rugby international matches. In addition, besides touring extensively throughout England, Scotland and Wales, the Choir has performed in fourteen countries.
2012 was an important year in the Choir’s history. In August, the Choir sang the Olympic Hymn at the closing ceremony of the London Games and has received much acclaim for its performance, that reached an audience of over a billion throughout the world.
In November 2018, the Choir was honoured by being asked to sing at Buckingham Palace at the 70th Birthday Celebration of HRH Prince Charles, the then Prince of Wales. This was attended by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Biennially prior to Covid the Choir organised and hosted a Festival of Male Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall. Choirs from around the world join the London Welsh Male Voice Choir and others from England and Wales in a glorious festival of traditional hymns and modern arrangements sung by over 700 voices. In October 2016, it celebrated its 25th Festival followed by another memorable Festival in October 2018.
The next Festival at the Royal Albert Hall will be held on 7th June 2026 with 21 Guest Choirs and over 800 Voices.
In 2022 the Choir was honoured to have been selected as one of the seven winners of The Classic FM and Making Music Platinum Performance competition the only Choir selected. In June 2023 the Choir was honoured to perform for English Heritage at Stonehenge at Sunset.
The Choir performed in June 2024 at a sell-out Concert at Canterbury Cathedral, at Brecon Cathedral as part of The Brecon Choir Festival in July and Norwich Cathedral in September. Following the Cathedral theme the Choir performed at Tuam and Galway Cathedrals in November.
2025 has been an equally busy year with Concerts in London, Colchester and Beaumaris.
