'In Quires and Places Where They Sing'

Introduction
Choirs in the Collection
Diversity of the Collection
Online Discography
Cathedral Organists & Ongoing Research
Choirs of Men and Boys in the UK
A Century of Recorded Church Music
Photo Archive
Videos & Newsreels
Visiting the Collection & Acknowledgements
LP Sleeves
Read & Subscribe to Newsletter
Links & Chorister e-cards
Contact Me, FAQ & Guest Book
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Acknowledged to be the definitive Discography & Collection of recordings from choirs of Gentlemen & Boys singing in the
English Cathedral tradition
    

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I hope you find your visit interesting, informative and enjoyable and please do not hesitate to contact me on any aspect of the Collection or recorded church music in general.  You may also find the FAQ page has the answers to your questions.

We live in a golden age of recordings where new CDs are issued by choirs almost monthly.  How fortunate we are to be able to hear these choirs in the comfort of our own home.

What we tend to forget is the vast amount of recordings made before the advent of the CD, with choirs turning out 1000s of LPs from the mid 1950s.

The really enterprising choirs were recording from the early 20th century on 78rpm records, with the first ever choir recording appearing in 1902 from St. Andrews Church, Wells Street in London. 

Nor does this take into account the many 1000s of private recordings, made by enthusiast amateurs, armed with a tape recorder and some of the greatest gems in the Collection are from these private recordings.

Preserving a Unique and Priceless Heritage
 of Recorded Church Music

For a country so dedicated to heritage,  this is one part which has been almost completely ignored - never having been catalogued, preserved or gathered together as a unified collection.

So in 2003 I decided to do just that. 

Now standing at over 5500 recordings, the Collection comprises all past and current commercial releases, in-house releases, rare private recordings, together with radio and TV broadcasts of services, concerts and documentaries.  In addition, there is a large photographic collection, together with the library archive which covers all aspects of the written and spoken word.   

Eventually, the Collection will be left to a musical or educational establishment as a national resource for research, study and listening. 

Historic Recordings of Choirs

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At the top and bottom of most pages on the website you can listen to a complete historic recording, accompanied by a contemporary photo of that choir. 

After pressing 'play' the music may take a few moments to start and by clicking on the thumbnail photo you can enlarge to full size.





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LISTEN TO THE FIRST CHOIR EVER TO RECORD IN 1902

Choir of St Andrew's Church  Wells Street  London
directed by F. Docker

 Onward Christian Soldiers  :  Sullivan  
Single sided 78rpm Gramophone Monarch Record  :  October 1902
 

My passion for church music started as a young chorister, progressing to organ lessons then playing for evensong at 13 years old.   University to read music combined with organ scholar, during which time I founded a boys' choir at the local church.   My time is now devoted to the Collection and the researching of recordings and choirs.

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The Discography, Collection and Website are funded entirely by myself and your donation will be very much appreciated.