Reputedly the oldest choir in Cornwall, the Marazion Apollo Choir was formed in 1904 and has enjoyed many happy hours of music and fellowship since then.
Two conductors, John Henry Trudgeon and then John J.Matthews (a Cornish Bard for services to music) conducted the Choir for over seventy years a remarkable record.
The choir has performed at the highest level. It took part in the Burma Star Reunion at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971 with Mrs Mills and the band of the Grenadier Guards and was invited back there with Vera Lyn in 1973. It has sung with many illustrious singers, including Alan Opie, Ivor Emmanuell and Harry Secombe and has gained. over the years, substantial standing in the world of male voice singing.
In 1979 the Choir embarked on its first overseas tour, visiting the USA. Based in Philadelphia, this was a never to be forgotten and most enjoyable visit. It has sung at the U.N.E.S.C.O. Headquarters and the American Church in Paris.
T he Choir has participated in the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen w ith m ajor success and has competed at Pontrhydfendigaid, w inning on the Welsh doorstep truly feathers in the Choir's cap.
Another notable event where the Choir excelled itself, was when it went to York to compete in the North of England Male Voice Choir Competition and was awarded first prize, beating many choirs of national standing.
The Choir recently has been under the baton of Sheila Farmer, an accomplished musician, with whom the Choir achieved success at the Bournemouth Musical Festival in 1997.
In 1999 Joan Williams became the Choir's Musical Director and is doing outstanding work introducing some new pieces making a fine team with our Accompanist, Nigel Dower, who is without doubt one of the finest pianists and organists in Cornwall.
The Choir has a Development Programme aptly entitled "Apollo 20O0" and the object of this is to recruit new singers and extend the choir's appeal to new audiences, by using a wider range of venues, more varied repertoire and the employment of professional guest artistes in high prestige concerts. This Project aims also to involve young musicians in the concert programme and to provide professional choir and conductor training.
In 2001 Richard Braebrook became Musical Director, coming to us with a very strong musical background.
In 2003 Tim Hosken became our Musical Director. Tim who is well known locally, having been Deputy Conductor of Mousehole Male voice Choir, Musical Director for St. Ives Operatic Society.and is Musical Director for Penzance Choral Society.
