# BBC National Chorus of Wales

> Welsh mixed choir

**Wikidata**: [Q21293179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21293179)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bbc-national-chorus-of-wales

## Summary
The BBC National Chorus of Wales is a Welsh mixed choir established in 1983 and based in Wales. It operates as an ensemble of singers performing choral music and functions as part of the BBC's performing arts organizations in Wales.

## Key Facts
- Founded/Inception: 1983
- Classification: Choir (instance of choir)
- Type: Welsh mixed choir
- Location: Wales
- BBC Things ID: 8078ecc5-5e46-492f-a4d3-95233660436e
- ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier): 0000000121620063
- VIAF ID: 133966010
- Library of Congress Authority ID: no00071465
- MusicBrainz Artist ID: 022be84c-bcb5-495f-8efe-71e31fb09801
- Songkick Artist ID: 5675989
- Yale LUX ID: group/c71752b0-feeb-4f08-96bb-ce9f7dba424f
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007332783605171
- SNARC ID: domestic violence
- Website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4Kj19qxQxH7lqrD6qBkpRFt/chorus
- Associated class: Choir (ensemble of singers, Dewey Decimal Classification 782.5)
- Genre association: Choral music
- Subclass of: Vocal ensemble, organization
- Origin context: The concept of choir originated in Ancient Greece

## FAQs
### Q: When was the BBC National Chorus of Wales founded?
The BBC National Chorus of Wales was established in 1983. It has operated as a Welsh mixed choir since its inception.

### Q: What type of ensemble is the BBC National Chorus of Wales?
The BBC National Chorus of Wales is classified as a choir, which is a type of ensemble of singers. As a mixed choir, it includes multiple voice types working together to perform choral music.

### Q: Where is the BBC National Chorus of Wales based?
The BBC National Chorus of Wales is located in Wales. It operates as part of the BBC's musical performing organizations in the region.

### Q: How is the BBC National Chorus of Wales identified in library and music databases?
The chorus holds multiple standardized identifiers across reference systems, including an ISNI (0000000121620063), VIAF ID (133966010), Library of Congress Authority ID (no00071465), MusicBrainz Artist ID (022be84c-bcb5-495f-8efe-71e31fb09801), and Songkick Artist ID (5675989). It also has a Yale LUX ID and a National Library of Israel J9U ID.

## Why It Matters
The BBC National Chorus of Wales represents an important cultural institution within Wales and the broader BBC music ecosystem. As a mixed choir with over four decades of history since its 1983 founding, it contributes to the preservation and performance of choral music in the Welsh musical tradition. The chorus holds significant institutional recognition, evidenced by its extensive cataloging across major international library and music databases including the Library of Congress, VIAF, ISNI, MusicBrainz, and Songkick. This widespread standardized identification indicates the chorus's established presence in both academic music reference systems and contemporary music platforms. The organization's BBC affiliation positions it as part of one of the world's major broadcasting networks, likely contributing to BBC radio and television programming and bringing choral music to wide audiences. Through its work, the chorus participates in the choral tradition that spans from Ancient Greek origins to modern performance contexts, serving educational, cultural, and entertainment functions within its community and beyond.

## Notable For
- Established in 1983, representing over four decades of choral performance history
- Recognition across major international identification systems (ISNI, VIAF, Library of Congress, MusicBrainz, Songkick, Yale LUX)
- BBC affiliation as part of the national broadcaster's musical performing organizations
- Classification as a mixed choir, encompassing multiple voice types
- Location in Wales, contributing to Welsh musical and cultural heritage
- Presence in both academic reference systems (Library of Congress, National Library of Israel) and contemporary music platforms (Songkick, MusicBrainz)

## Body
### Founding and Classification
The BBC National Chorus of Wales was established in 1983 as a Welsh mixed choir. The organization is classified as an instance of a choir, which is defined as an ensemble of singers who perform choral music together. Choirs fall under the broader genre of choral music and are subclasses of both vocal ensemble and organization.

### Organizational Structure and Function
As a choir, the BBC National Chorus of Wales operates as a musical group that performs choral music. Choirs typically function with a choir director or conductor who leads rehearsals and performances, section leaders who guide individual voice parts, accompanists for rehearsals and some performances, and administrative support for logistics and management. The classification of the BBC National Chorus of Wales as a mixed choir indicates it includes multiple voice types, distinguishing it from single-gender or children's choirs.

### BBC Affiliation and Location
The BBC National Chorus of Wales is based in Wales and operates under the BBC umbrella, as evidenced by its BBC Things ID (8078ecc5-5e46-492f-a4d3-95233660436e). The BBC Things ID references confirm the chorus's official status within the BBC's organizational structure. The chorus maintains a presence on the BBC's online platforms at bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4Kj19qxQxH7lqrD6qBkpRFt/chorus.

### International Recognition and Database Presence
The BBC National Chorus of Wales holds extensive recognition across multiple international identification and cataloging systems:

**Academic and Library Systems:**
- ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier): 0000000121620063
- VIAF (Virtual International Authority File): 133966010
- Library of Congress Authority ID: no00071465 (referenced as of March 6, 2019)
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007332783605171
- Yale LUX ID: group/c71752b0-feeb-4f08-96bb-ce9f7dba424f

**Music Industry Databases:**
- MusicBrainz Artist ID: 022be84c-bcb5-495f-8efe-71e31fb09801
- Songkick Artist ID: 5675989

The presence in both academic/library systems and contemporary music platforms indicates the chorus's relevance across both scholarly research contexts and modern music discovery services.

### SNARC Classification
The BBC National Chorus of Wales carries a SNARC ID associated with "domestic violence." SNARC typically refers to subject classification systems used in library or archival contexts, though the specific association with this subject classification requires the context of the chorus's programming or archival categorization within BBC systems.

### Choir Context and Tradition
The BBC National Chorus of Wales operates within the broader tradition of choral music. The concept of choir as an organizational form originated in Ancient Greece, where choruses played central roles in theatrical performances and religious ceremonies. Choirs are classified under Dewey Decimal Classification 782.5 and are known by multiple aliases including chorale, chorus, and orfeón. As a mixed choir, the BBC National Chorus of Wales represents one of several classification types for choirs, which can also be categorized by size (chamber, concert, symphonic), function (church, school, community, professional), and repertoire (classical, contemporary, ethnic, popular).

### Performance and Repertoire
As a choir, the BBC National Chorus of Wales performs within the choral music genre, which encompasses a cappella works (unaccompanied vocal music), accompanied works with piano, organ, or orchestra, sacred music from various religious traditions, secular classical compositions, contemporary and popular arrangements, and folk and traditional music. Performance contexts for choirs include religious services, concert halls and theaters, community events and festivals, educational institutions, recording studios, and virtual/online platforms.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BBC Things
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File