Following the death of their much loved and highly revered founder, Hubert Julian last summer, members of Celtic Chorale decided to continue singing but under a different name and to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the choir.

In 1982 members of Methodist Churches throughout Cornwall were selected to sing at the Conference held that year in Plymouth under the direction of Hubert Julian. They enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to continue singing together, taking the name Celtic Chorale. Since their formation, they became one of the foremost mixed chorale groups in the region, performing on television and radio as well as undertaking recordings.

On reforming as Celtic Voices, Kenneth Pethick was invited to become their new Musical Director. Ken studied under the late Dr Royland Jordan to obtain the Licentiate of Trinity College, London in organ teaching. He was for 10 years organist and choir master at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall and has for many years carried out the same role at Callington. In directing the Celtic Voices he has the excellent assistance of both Philip Davey, (Organ) and Rosalind Edwards, ARCM (Piano).

The choir's repertoire encompasses a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Songs from the Shows and American Gospel Songs through to works of the Great Classical Masters as well as of Contemporary Composers. They undertook its first engagement under the new style at St Michaels Church, Newquay in December last with a concert of Christmas music, and are currently rehearsing for a charity concert in aid of the Merlin Project (Wizard Appeal) to be held on May 19 in All Saints Church, Falmouth during which they will perform Haydn's Mass in D Minor (The Nelson).