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 for J.S. Bach Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio, sung in German) parts 1-4 will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m starting in High Hilton Church in August 2013 (date TBA). Please arrive by 7:15 pm to collect music. Anyone who would like to 'try before you buy' is welcome to attend one or two rehearsals before committing to membership (see below).

High Hilton Church is close to the 'six ways' roundabout and the address is 1-3 Hilton Drive AB24 4NQ. There is ample, free on street parking on the roads around the church. It served by the First Aberdeen 4 (to and from Dubford only), 11 and 12 (to and from city centre) bus routes.

The yearly subscription for 2012-13 was £57 or £40 (concessions). The price for 2013-4 will be set at the AGM on 25 June 2013. 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.

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. 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 Weihnachtsoratorium will take place on Sunday 28 April 2013 at 7:45 pm 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

Jeanette Barclay

Alto 1

Judy Junker

Alto 2

Libby Brand

Tenor

Fraser Westwood

Bass

James Friend