Founded at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign, in 1839, Guildford Choral Society is one of the oldest in England. The Choir has developed a wide-ranging repertoire, but has especially featured twentieth-century British music in its programmes. The Choir's first recording was made for Hyperion in 1988 (Vaughan Williams's Five Tudor Portraits and Five Mystical Songs) with The Philharmonia, Sarah Walker and Henry Herford. The Society regularly collaborates with Britain's leading orchestras and soloists, both in Guildford and London.