We are looking for new members!

The Dunedin RSA Choir has commenced practices for 2026 and welcomes new members.  You don’t have to be able to read music.  All that is required is to be a male who can sing in tune and identify with the military traditions of the choir.

The choir had its genesis in 1915 on the slopes of Gallipoli.  Private Jimmy McNish, of 4th Company, Otago Infantry Battalion was so moved by the singing of the Turkish soldiers in their trenches, just a few meters away, that he resolved to form a choir of returned soldiers if he survived.  Fortunately, though wounded at Gallipoli, he did.  The choir, originally named the Returned Soldiers’ Choir gave its first concert in Burns Hall on ANZAC Day 1920.  The concert was sold out and was repeated the next night.

In its 106-year history the choir has given concerts in Dunedin every year, including singing with Dame Vera Lynn in 1972.  Jonathan Lemalu’s his first professional engagement was with the choir, for which he received the princely sum of $25.00.  The choir has sung at ANZAC Day services in Australia and sang at the entombment of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.

These days, whilst the choir has a friendly association with the Dunedin Returned and Services Association, there is no requirement that members have had any military service.  The choir commemorates important military anniversaries including ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.   It has commenced rehearsals now for this year’s ANZAC Review.

Practice nights are every Monday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Salvation Army Main Hall, 575 Princes Street Dunedin.  See the accompanying advertisement for further details.