Aberdeen Diocesan Choir

The choir aims to serve the Diocese of Aberdeen in promoting and providing all that is best in sacred music. To this aim it performs music selected from the sacred choral repertoire to enhance the liturgies of the Church whilst also encouraging full participation in congregational singing.

The Aberdeen Diocesan Choir was founded in 2001, at the request of Bishop Mario Conti, when David Meiklejohn was asked to form a choir to lead the singing at Bishop Conti’s Silver Jubilee Mass. Under the inspirational leadership of David Meiklejohn, the choir went on to lead the music at many Diocesan and parish celebrations, and continues to do so under its present Director of Music, Dr. Roger B. Williams.

Serving under the auspices of Bishop Peter Moran, the choir's patron, it continues to develop and flourish in its endeavours to enhance the liturgical and spiritual life of the Diocese.

A fully constitutional organisation, the choir provides a focus for individuals of various parishes to meet and make music together, thereby strengthening parish music and supporting links throughout the city of Aberdeen and beyond. The Aberdeen Diocesan Choir is requested to lead the liturgical and other religious music for special diocesan events including priestly and diaconate ordinations, special Masses for church organisations, services in parishes in various parts of the diocese, and the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Pluscarden Abbey. The choir also leads a service of Readings and Carols in St. Mary's Cathedral each December, raising funds for a charity nominated by the bishop.

Bishop Peter Moran

Whilst seeking primarily to serve the Roman Catholic diocese of Aberdeen, the choir is proud to be interdenominational in membership, and has been pleased to provide music for celebrations in churches of other traditions, including several concerts in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral in Aberdeen. In September 2009 the choir was fortunate enough to be able to undertake its first performances outside the diocese by spending a weekend in Paris. The choir performed in the Basilica of Sacré Coeur and in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in addition to a concert in the Scots Kirk, under the directorship of David Meiklejohn and with its regular accompanist Mr. Ronald Leith. By all accounts this highly successful trip was a great highlight of the choir’s history to date.

After the Paris trip the choir found itself without a Musical Director as David Meiklejohn was to take up a position in Birmingham. Despite this setback, the choir enthusiastically continued to sing together under a temporary conductor drawn from its membership, until a new Musical Director, Dr. Roger B. Williams, was appointed in January 2010. Since then the choir has performed a concert of music for Lent in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, a sung Stations of the Cross, and the annual Diocesan pilgrimage to Pluscarden Abbey. It is looking forward with eager anticipation to forming part of the choir for the Mass for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI at Bellahouston Park in September 2010 and also to providing the music for the 150th anniversary celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 7.15p.m. in the Upper Hall at St. Mary’s Cathedral. It is always looking to welcome new members.

Dr. Roger B. Williams