Updates

Do you like to sing? Whether you're an experienced singer, shower singing aficionado, or someone looking to find your voice, the University of Aberdeen offers a diverse and vibrant selection of vocal opportunities to its students and local community. From the rich harmonies of chamber, chapel, and opera ensembles,  to the dynamic energy of a cappella and show choir groups, these societies cater to diverse musical tastes and abilities. These societies provide a welcoming community and a platform to perform, collaborate, and grow. In this article, we delve into the distinctive characteristics of five of the university's vocal societies, highlighting their similarities and differences, when they rehearse, and what makes them an integral part of the University of Aberdeen's cultural landscape. 

Throughout Welcome Week, you’ll be able to find members of each of these societies around campus, ready to answer any questions you may have! Additionally, most societies offer give-it-a-go sessions and performances, allowing you to dip your toes into a range of options to see what best suits you. Information about these taster sessions, performances, and auditions (where required) can be found on each society’s social media pages, linked next to each group’s description. 

Chamber Choir

Grieg Society of Scotland founder, Dr Sally Garden, returned to the city of Aberdeen – her fond musical ‘home’ – to catch up with the latest, exciting North Sea musical exchange: a concert with young Norwegian pianist Oda Voltersvik and Aberdeen City Orchestra. With a fresh perspective, and familiarity with historical context, it seemed like a hint of something new and promising for Scotland’s classical music scene.

Great news for fans of contemporary and experimental music in Aberdeen! The city council has awarded £37,000 in funding to the Sound Festival to support its groundbreaking work with young people and the local music community.

This significant boost comes from the Aberdeen City Council's Shared Prosperity Fund, which awarded grants to a variety of impactful local organisations. The fund promises to support the Sound's existing programs and pave the way for exciting new initiatives.

What Does This Mean for Aberdeen?

The funding will primarily support the following aspects of Sound’s work:

• Get Creative: A dynamic outreach project focused on unlocking creativity and music composition in young people.
• Any Enemy: Sound’s collaboration with our local new music ensemble, which performs new and experimental music.
• Con Anima: Sound’s collaboration with our local chamber choir known for its adventurous repertoire.

Aberdeen Jazz Festival has announced its eagerly awaited lineups for popular Jazz the Day and Soundbath events. With last year’stop-class shows selling out in record time, fans are advised to book early in order to enjoy the rich variety of acts on offer. This year, as well as a host of top-class performers, the festival includes a record number of free events, family-friendly shows and chances to participate, making this a truly welcoming and inclusive festival with something for everyone.

Jazz the Day is a one-day musical melting pot brimming with varied performances, jam sessions, family events and more. With one ticket giving access to a whole range of events throughout the afternoon, Jazz the Day is the perfect opportunity to sample a wide range of different acts and activities. All of the Jazz the Day venues are open to children of all ages, making this a great day out for the whole family. Following the success of previous years’ Jazz the Day shows, the concept has been expanded to cover two different areas of the city on two consecutive Sundays.

Inverurie Orchestra is looking for a new Musical Director from late August 2024. 

The ideal candidate must be able to create an enjoyable social space for members to make music together whilst helping to develop the musical progression of the orchestra.  They will need to programme material in advance of concerts, working with the orchestra committee, and conduct the majority of rehearsals prior to a concert.

Rehearsals currently take place on Thursday evenings from 7.30 – 9.30pm in Inverurie town during school terms. There are two to three concerts per year, and we are open to considering either a longer-term Musical Director or a rotation system with different directors taking on different concerts. 

You can download the full job description from our website and the Making Music website. The closing date for applications is March 15th, 2024.