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
The University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir comprising students and recent alumni of the University of Aberdeen. Conducted by Sam Paul, an alumnus of the University, the choir specialises in contemporary music and also works closely with young conductors. They have worked with many distinguished composers including James MacMillan, Judith Weir, and Morten Lauridsen, as well as many great conductors like Stephen Layton, Christopher Bell, James Jordan, Michael Zaugg, and Ralph Allwood. They regularly tour, and past destinations have included Northern Ireland, the USA, and Poland.
The Chamber Choir was delighted to sing for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Their Majesties The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace, and for Her Majesty The Queen at a private concert in the University of Aberdeen’s Music Department. Entry to the choir is by audition. Auditions take place during Welcome Week and the first day of Semester 1 (September 23rd), in collaboration with the Chapel Choir. Chamber Choir rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings 8pm to 10pm, in the King’s Pavilion on campus.
Facebook: uofachamberchoir
YouTube: @uofacc
Email: uofachamberchoir@gmail.com
Instagram: ua_chamberchoir
Music Aberdeen
Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir sings weekly during term time in the university’s beautiful and historic King’s College Chapel. From ancient plainsong to anthems newly written, choristers get the chance to sing an exciting and varied choral repertoire. As well as the weekly Wednesday service, the choir sings for various special services throughout the year such as Remembrance Sunday, the University Carol Service, and Founders’ Day. There is also a choir tour at the end of the academic year. Socialising as well as singing together is an important part of being in Chapel Choir, and various social events take place throughout the year. Entry to the choir is by audition. Auditions take place during Welcome Week and the first day of Semester 1 (September 23rd), in collaboration with the Chamber Choir. The choir moves at quite a pace in their music-learning, so previous singing experience and sight-reading ability are a help in this choir, rehearsing Monday and Wednesday afternoons. As well as the fun of making such lovely music together, it is often said that being part of the Chapel Choir enables great friendships and memories which will last a lifetime!
Facebook: uoachapelchoir
YouTube: @universityofaberdeenchapel9578
Email: chapel-choir@abdn.ac.uk
Instagram: uoachapelchoir
Music Aberdeen
A Cappella
Aberdeen’s award-winning contemporary a cappella society offers something for everyone with a love of singing. Perform in-house arrangements by talented musical directors, blending rock, pop, and electronic hits, classic jazz numbers, musical theatre tunes, choral classics, and more. Each year, they offer many performance opportunities, including local gigs and national and international competitions (including the ICCAs, as seen in the Pitch Perfect movies). They recently hosted the 2024 Scottish A Cappella Championships, which you can view here! Additionally, their semesterly King's College Chapel concerts allow their groups to show off what they’ve been working on throughout the semester. Engaging workshops (including beatboxing, sound equipment set-up and usage, and more) are offered throughout the year. For those with a competitive flair, audition for a competing group and compete with Aberpella and the Killer Quines, rehearsing on Monday and Thursday evenings. Alternatively, perform at gigs, fundraising events, and non-competitive showcases around Scotland with their non-competing groups: Caletoneia and North C, rehearsing on Wednesday evenings. No matter your musical background or experience, Aberdeen’s A Cappella Society provides an avenue to make long-lasting friendships, compete and perform, discover new music, and work towards performances that impress, energise, and move audiences. “We’re like Pitch Perfect, but better.”
Facebook: AberdeenAcappellaSoc
YouTube: @uoaacappella
Email: aberdeenacappella@gmail.com
Instagram: uoaacappella
Music Aberdeen
Opera Society
The University of Aberdeen’s Opera Society is open to singers of all abilities, as well as people outside the university, to organise and perform operatic works. Since its formation they have performed myriad successful operas, including The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, Sweeney Todd, and The Threepenny Opera, most recently performing Händel's ‘Acis and Galatea’ in 2023. They rehearse on Monday evenings in the King's Pavilion, on campus. During rehearsals in the first semester, they get ready for their winter recital, taking place around the end of November. Second-semester rehearsals focus on their big production, which for the 24/25 academic year will be John Blow’s ‘Venus and Adonis’. Audition dates take place around October and November. If you’re not a singer but love opera and the stage, the Opera Society is also open for people who want to work backstage, with stage manager positions and backstage roles also available. They enjoy striving to bring people together whilst producing high-quality opera, and they welcome everyone, from newcomers to seasoned veterans.
Facebook: UoaOperaSociety
Email: opera@ausa.org.uk
Instagram: uofaoperasociety
Music Aberdeen
Show Choir
Aberdeen University Show Choir is a non-auditioned, student-led group with a shared love of music, dance and theatre, and is welcoming and open to students of all abilities and experience levels. Throughout the year they work on their setlist in preparation for their Spring Show, taking place in March at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. They also have smaller performances throughout the year at various events both in and outside of the university. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings and have occasional Wednesday rehearsals which become more frequent in the lead-up to their show. They practise vocal-only numbers, as well as numbers which require both singing and dancing. Their members grow in confidence as the year goes on and find friendships with people who have a shared interest in their society. The Show Choir is a fun and safe environment for all its members to take a break from their studies, express themselves, and enjoy something they love.
Facebook: aushowchoir
YouTube: @aberdeenuniversityshowchoir
Email: show.choir@ausa.org.uk
Instagram: aushowchoir
We hope this overview has inspired you to explore the fantastic singing opportunities available at the University of Aberdeen! For more information and to see videos of past performances, be sure to check out each group’s social media pages. If you're considering joining more than one society, don’t worry – while there might be some scheduling overlaps, in many cases, societies are flexible and supportive of students pursuing multiple passions. Although exact rehearsal times can vary, the following schedule offers a general guide to what a typical week might look like for the 2024/25 academic year.
