The Morriston Orpheus Choir

The Orpheus came into being before the Second World War, following a meeting in Morriston's parish hall on April 9, 1935. At the Forward Movement Hall in Morriston the new Orpheus Choir gave its first public concert on Saturday, July 13. Not even the advent of war in 1939 could lessen the enthusiasms and loyalties of the steel and tinplate workers making up the major part of the Choir. Early in 1948 the Orpheus combined with the Morriston United Choir. The Orpheus began a long series of appearances on the B.B.C.’s “Welsh Rarebit” programmes and it was during this series that the members of the choir and the programme’s resident comedian, Harry Secombe, forged a strong bond of friendship. As a result of these broadcasts the Orpheus made its first records for Columbia. Yet despite the popularity of the broadcasts and the records, when the Orpheus entered the Pwllheli Eisteddfod in 1955 the choir was the only competitor in this field. Welsh choral singing was disappearing.