Founded in 1840, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir has always been central to the life of Liverpool Philharmonic. Members are committed amateur singers, drawn from all walks of life, who travel from the Liverpool City Region and beyond to take part in the Choir’s activities. 　　In recent years, the Choir has performed Bach's St Matthew Passion, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Mahler's Symphony No.2, Rachmaninov's Vespers, Verdi’s Requiem, Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater, James MacMillan’s St John Passion and of course our annual series of Carol Concerts, The Spirit of Christmas, and Messiah. The Choir has appeared in many of the UK’s major concert venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, and has sung on a number of foreign tours. The Choir have oten been recorded, most recently as part of Shostakovich’s complete symphonic cycle, released in 2015. 　　The Choir rehearse on Monday evenings in term time, with additional rehearsals in the lead up to concerts. Repertoire covers all periods and styles as well as newly commissioned works with full symphony or a capella. 　　Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir are required to be members of Liverpool Philharmonic at an annual fee of £100 for Silver Membership or £32.50 for Bronze Membership and for full time students and claimants in receipt of job seekers allowance. 　　Ian Tracey, acknowledged as one of the outstanding British choral trainers, has been Chorus Master of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir since 1985.