We live in a golden age of recordings, where new CDs from our great choirs appear almost monthly.  How fortunate we are to be able to hear every cathedral and collegiate choir from the comfort of our own home.

What we tend to forget is the vast amount of recordings which were made before the advent of CD's, with choirs regularly producing recordings on LP's from the mid 1950’s. 

The really enterprising choirs were recording from the early 20th century on 78rpm records, with the first known recording appearing in 1909 from St Andrew's Church, Wells Street, London.  This was followed by Westminster Cathedral in the same year and Westminster Abbey in 1911.

Everyone is aware of the major labels, such as Argo, Abbey, EMI and Decca – but there were, as there is now, a myriad of independent and small private labels producing some absolute gems. 

Nor does this take into account the many 1000s of private recordings made by enthusiastic amateurs - these one-off recordings are amongst some of the most rare and important in the collection.

This unique and priceless recorded heritage of choirs great and small, from the very first 78's to the CD's of today, must be preserved before more recordings are lost for ever.

This is my aim.

In the fullness of time the collection will be offered to an educational or musical institution, becoming a National resource for study, research and listening.