The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir has been at the heart of music-making in Ireland since its foundation by Colin Mawby in 1985, and under his successor, Mark Duley (1996–2011), has become the country’s finest symphonic choral ensemble. The choir performs up to seven concerts each year and broadcasts regularly on RTÉ lyric fm. The 140 members, all keen amateur singers, meet weekly for rehearsals in Dublin during the concert season. Its close association with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra has led to varied and challenging performances ranging from Haydn’s Nelson Mass to the Glagolitic Mass by Janáček as well as choral favourites such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the Verdi Requiem. Recordings include Rachmaninov’s The Bells (Naxos 8.550805) and the highly acclaimed performance of The Bohemian Girl by Balfe conducted by Richard Bonynge (Decca).