How to Join

Aberdeen Bach Choir is especially keen to recruit new singers. Currently, there is no audition process - an ability to sing in tune is the minimum requirement! Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact the Membership Secretary by email but you can just turn up on the night, at least for the first two or three rehearsals.

Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:30 pm. Rehearsals for the April 2012 peformance of the J.S. Bach St Matthew Passion will begin on Tuesday 17 January 2012in St Machar's Cathedral, The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen and continue every Tuesday in the Cathedral until Tuesday 24 April, except for a two week break for the school Easter holidays on 3 and 10 April. Please arrive early on 17 January (from 7:00 pm) to collect music and to be introduced to others in your part.

The yearly subscription for 2011-12 is £57 or £40 (concessions). Students are free! Newcomers are allowed two or three weeks settling in before confirming their membership and being asked to pay their subscription. There is normally a small charge for music hire, or you can buy the music for some performances (of which the St Matthew is one).

On the weekend of performances (normally on a Sunday evening in St Machar's Cathedral), the usual practice is to have rehearsals with orchestra and soloists (where applicable) on the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon; sometimes the Saturday rehearsal may be in the afternoon. As the St Matthew Passion begins at 3:00 pm (part 1) on Sunday 29 April, the pattern for the weekend will be different from normal (details to be advised). Members are expected to participate in all rehearsals (those missing more than three rehearsals must ask permission of the Musical Director to sing in the performance). Attendance at the weekend rehearsals is essential and absence will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances.

The performance of St Matthew Passion will take place on Sunday 29 April 2012 at 3:00 pm (part 1) and 6:00 pm (part 2) in St Machar's Cathedral.

For concerts, men must wear a dinner-suit, white shirt and black bow tie, while women must wear sleeved, ankle-length black dresses (with jewellery kept to a minimum).

We like to think of ourselves as a friendly choir, and if you make yourself known to one of our Committee members (the Membership Secretary, Sandra Massey, is likely to approach any new faces who have not already contacted her), we will ensure you are introduced to someone who sings the same part as you, to help you fit in quickly. Your section representative is your first point of contact.

Section representatives

Sop 1

Sandra Massey

Sop 2

Dawn Smith

Alto 1

Judy Junker

Alto 2

Libby Brand

Tenor

Fraser Westwood

Bass

James Friend