Côr Caerdydd was formed by its present conductor, Gwawr Owen, on April 1^st 1992 and has become one of Wales’ leading mixed choirs with a very fine competitive record.  On its first public appearance in August 1992 Côr Caerdydd won first prize in the Chief Choral competition at the National Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth, and to date, the choir has gained first prize at the National Eisteddfod nine times, and has also enjoyed success at the Corwen Choral Festival and Gwyl Fawr Aberteifi.

During the last few years, Côr Caerdydd has formed a close relationship with Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.  The choir appears on the recent EMI recording of Requiem by Jenkins, which reached the top of the classical charts in 2005.  Côr Caerdydd also appears on the recently released DVD of Jenkins’ Mass for Peace, a performance recorded for S4C at  St. David’s Hall in January 2004, and the choir enjoyed working with Jenkins again at the Wales Millennium Centre as part of the 60th birthday celebrations of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. 

Network television appearances include FA Classic and Songs of Praise with Aled Jones.  Appearances on S4C include a concert with Bryn Terfel, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol and Noson Lawen.  Radio broadcasts include BBC Radio 2’s Sunday Half Hour, Morning Service on BBC Radio 4 and in November 2004, Côr Caerdydd appeared with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales in a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at St. David’s Hall which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.  Côr Caerdydd has been delighted to perform on several occasions with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales.

Côr Caerdydd gives many charity concerts throughout each year and last year  sang for members of the Royal Family in Cardiff.  It has appeared at the Welsh Proms and last year’s Centenary Prom with Owain Arwel Hughes and in March 2005 sang for an audience of nearly five thousand people in a Classical Spectacular at Cardiff International Arena.  Recent concerts have included performances at Llandaff Cathedral, Guildford Cathedral, the British Police Memorial Service and various Welsh venues.

Last year's engagements included Beethoven 9 with Bryn Terfel and an appearance at the BBC Proms with the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales in the Albert Hall performing Belshazzar's Feast, again with Bryn Terfel.

This year in 2007 the choir performed Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle at St German's Church in Cardiff on May 18 2007, and in Barga Cathedral, Barga, Italy on May 27 2007.

Members of Côr Caerdydd hail from all parts of Wales and from all walks of life.  The choir welcomes new members and information can be obtained by clicking on the 'Contact Us' link.  

Born in Ceredigion, Gwawr Owen was educated at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey and graduated in music from King’s College London and a Masters Degree from The City University London.  She spent many years producing music programmes for the BBC and currently works as a free-lance radio/television producer and concerts/events organiser.