The Dorian Choir

The Dorian Choir was founded in 1936 by Albert Bryant, consisting of 28 selected soloists. In 1940 Harry Luscombe took the choir over, increasing its size and widening its repertoire. Peter Godfrey (4) succeeded as conductor in 1960, further widening the scope of the repertoire to embrace music from the 15th century to works by contemporary New Zealand composers. In 1976 the choir comprised 60 voices and its experience and standing were enhanced by tours of New Zealand, Fiji, and Europe, from the last of which followed an invitation to represent the Commonwealth at the 250th Anniversary in 1977 of the famous Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester, England, and one from the BBC to perform at the London Promenade Concerts. The choir is variously referred to as The Dorian Choir, Dorian Singers, Dorian Singers New Zealand, New Zealand Dorian Choir, and (extra confusingly) Auckland Dorian Choir.