History - 60's
During this remarkable period, J J Matthews also conducted the Penzance Ladies' Orpheus Choir and, starting in 1959, brought the two choirs together every year for 25 years for the very popular Two Choir Festivals.
In October, 1964 the Diamond Jubilee was a splendid occasion conducted by Mr J J Matthews at the Ritz Cinema with the world famous Joan Hammond as soloist.
The two choirs enjoyed a memorable tour to Bristol and South Wales in 1967 culminating in a wonderful concert with the Morriston Orpheus Choir in the famous Morriston Tabernacle. They received a very warm welcome and, in an electric atmosphere, the audience of 1500 demanded more and more!
In 1968, at Westward Television Studios, Plymouth, the choir held its first television recording session.
This led to several television appearances in which the Apollo on its own and the combined choirs sang on such programmes as 'Let The People Sing' and 'Songs Of Praise'.
Over the years, there have been many special occasions such as these and it has been an added pleasure for the choir to perform with such fine singers as John Treleaven, Benjamin Luxon, Ivor Emmanuel, Sir Harry Secombe, Alan Opie, Joan Hammond and Dame Vera Lynn; what a thrill it is to experience the emotion and excitement such performers generate.
One of the choir's greatest achievements came in 1969 when the choir gained national recognition by winning the Advanced Class for Male Choirs at the Blackpool Music Festival in 1969.
Winners of The Cornish Championship in 1960, 61, 63, 64 and 1966.
