In 1884, an appeal was made to interested gentlemen to attend a meeting for the purpose of forming a male choir in the city of Brisbane.

As a result of this meeting, sixteen gentlemen indicated their interest in supporting this project, and on 16th July, the Brisbane Liedertafel was formed. Rehearsals were commenced under the direction of Mr. H.J. Pollard, with Mr. W. A. Calfisch as accompanist, and proceeded at regular intervals. The first practice of the newly-formed Brisbane Liedertafel was held in Messrs Pollard and Co’s warehouse, 120 Queen Street. There were about twenty members present and a number of pieces were successfully performed, Mr. HJ Pollard conducting. 

The first public concert of the choir was presented on 16th July, 1885, in the Brisbane Town Hall (then situated in Queen Street, approximately where the Lennon’s Hotel is now situated).  The title “Liedertafel”, initially given to the choir, was of German origin, and translated into English meant “song table”, indicative of the custom in Germany of men gathering around a table with their beer steins and rendering songs in harmony. During World War I, patriotic feeling was at a high level, so a decision to change the name of the choir to Brisbane Apollo Club was adopted early in1916. In Greek legend, Apollo was the leader of the Muses, the God of music, song and poetry, of agriculture and the pastoral life. The Choir retained this name until October, 1993, when official approval was given to register as a Body Corporate with the title Brisbane Apollo Male Choir Inc.

Since its formation, the choir has presented numerous performances, initially within the precincts of the city of Brisbane, and announcements of impending concerts aroused considerable interest among the community generally in anticipation of a feast of good male choral singing. Press reports bore testimony of the choral excellence of the choir, particularly under the leadership of Leonard Francis, (pictured) from 1913 to 1936, and Percy Brier, from 1936 to 1939. 

The first performance by the reformed Choir was held on 17 July, 1885, and on the same date in 1985 The Brisbane Apollo Club Male Choir celebrated its centenary by presenting “A Special Centenary Commemorative Concert” in the Brisbane City Hall. The proceeds of this concert went to the St Vincent’s Hostel, South Brisbane.

The present day Apollo Choir, after meeting at the Shaftsbury Centre in Spring Hill for many years, moved to St. James Anglican Church Hall at Enoggera Road, Newmarket at the beginning of 2008.
In 2018, because of traffic noise from the busy road, the Choir moved to its current home, St Clements on the Hill Anglican Church Hall at Eudunda Street, Stafford.  Rehearsals are held every Monday from 1.00pm to 3.30 pm.

Our current Musical Director is Guillaume Lemay-Yates. He is a young and energetic conductor and music director who has a vast musical experience as a singer, conductor, instrumentalist and arranger as well as a high level of proficiency on the saxophone and piano.

Brisbane Apollo Male Choir - List of Conductors [Our History recorded]