The Roman Catholic Church Music Association of St. Nicholas in Trnava traces its origins to the first music society (Musikverein) founded in Trnava in 1833. In 1838, the society was reorganized as a church music association (Kirchenmusikverein), but was officially dissolved in 1848. Despite its formal dissolution, its musical activities continued uninterrupted. In 1859, a new organisation, the Trnava Men's Choral Society, was established under the direction of choirmaster Ján Czarda, carrying forward the city's rich choral tradition. A detailed account of the association's history can be found in the History section of its website.
The association was formally re-established in 1928 through the efforts of the distinguished Slovak composer and church musician Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský. Although it was officially dissolved once again by the communist regime in 1951, it continued its artistic mission as the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Trnava. On 29 August 1993, following the restoration of religious freedom in Slovakia, the association was officially re-registered under its present name, the Roman Catholic Church Music Association of St. Nicholas in Trnava.
Today, the association comprises a mixed choir and orchestra consisting primarily of dedicated amateur musicians. From 1980 to 2015, the ensemble was led and artistically shaped by Ladislav Vymazal. Since 2015, its Artistic Director and Conductor has been Daniel Ruzzier.
The ensemble's home is the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Trnava, where it provides music for the Sunday Latin Mass throughout the year, with the exception of the summer holiday period. In addition to its regular liturgical service, the choir and orchestra perform at concerts, festivals, and religious celebrations throughout Slovakia and abroad, including appearances in Austria, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Recent festival engagements include the Cífer Spring Music Festival (2023), Trnava Organ Days (2023–2026), and the Festival of Choirs in Uherský Brod (2025).
The ensemble's repertoire spans more than a millennium of sacred music, from Gregorian chant and medieval polyphony to contemporary liturgical works. A particular focus of its artistic mission is the preservation and promotion of the sacred compositions of Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský, one of Slovakia's most influential church composers and a native of Trnava. The association has also presented several world premieres of Slovak sacred works.
In 2013, the association celebrated the 180th anniversary of its founding with a series of commemorative concerts. Highlights included the New Year's Gala Concert at St. Bartholomew's Church in Ružindol, a performance within the Cultural Spring Festival organised by the Parish of Zlín–Malenovice in the Czech Republic, and the anniversary concert 1833–2013, held in the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Trnava.
Throughout its history, the Roman Catholic Church Music Association of St. Nicholas in Trnava has received numerous distinctions in recognition of its contribution to Slovakia's musical and spiritual heritage. Among its most prestigious honours is the Fra Angelico Award, conferred by the Council for Science, Education and Culture of the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia in recognition of the association's outstanding contribution to the promotion of Christian values in Slovak culture.