Audioguía Cornish Choir - HISTORY

Cornish carols are more than just songs. They are the rhythmic soul of a Celtic land carried across oceans and deep into the earth. As the Gold Rush boomed and precious metals were unearthed around the globe, Cornish miners, the finest hard rock experts in the world, brought cultural capital to Grass Valley. Their mining technology grit, their carols, their food.

The melodies aren't just a folk tradition, they are the very heartbeat of Grass Valley's identity. On today's tour, you'll follow the choir's journey from its humble beginnings in dusty mining camps to the world class choral group it is today. You'll meet the visionary directors who kept the music alive, including Eleanor Kenitzer, who famously broke a century of tradition in 1990 to welcome women into the fold. 

This created a richer, more inclusive harmony for the choral choir. The Cornish didn't just bring music like I said. They wove their entire culture into the fabric of Grass Valley. From the savory scent of the famous pasty and the golden hue of the saffron cake, to the rowdy spirit of Cornish wrestling, these traditions became Grass Valley traditions. Through 100 years of change, the world around us has transformed and the choir sound has evolved with it. But the sentiment remains exactly the same. A soaring testament to heritage, resilience and our community.

A little about your tour house and some pre-tour prep. My name is Rose Murphy, and I'm a biographer for the Grass Valley Museum. I'm Lisa Redfern, and I am on the board of Sierra College Press. We are both members of the Nevada County Historical Society and historical fiction authors.

Before starting all of our tours, we recommend downloading it at home first or in a place with good internet. All of our walking tours are geo-fenced. This means GPS maps on your phone and satellites can track your movements when your Izi tour app is open. You just walk inside the zone, and it should trigger the audio to start playing automatically.

Each tour stop contains an audio file, a transcript, and pictures. Click on the title of the stop and each stop will have a few photos to view.

As you begin this journey, we want to ensure an enjoyable experience for you and fellow walking tourists. Please remember to use earbuds for your audio tour and avoid using speakers.

On the final tour stop, check out the PDF that provides links to resources, articles, books, videos, and more.

This if you are ready, let's go. All right.