Edinburgh Royal Choral Union - A leading choir in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Royal Choral Union

2024-2025 Season

Coming next . .

Watch this space!

Messiah Reviews

Review of Handel's Messiah 2025
Reviews from The Herald, The Edinburgh Music Review and Vox Carnyx.
"The choir’s diction was every bit as exemplary as that of the soloists and the dynamic control often better, with some of the finest singing the quietest . . ."
Read more > >

Our friendly choir welcomes new members in all voice parts throughout the season, which runs from September to May or early June. Interested singers can come along to any Tuesday rehearsal at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL.
For more details, see the “join” page or contact membership@ercu.org.uk

We are particularly keen to hear from tenors and basses! See our News section below for information on Tenor scholarships.

News from ERCU

Tenor Scholarships  * * * We remain on the lookout for Tenor Scholars * * *
The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union is one of Scotland's leading choral societies and has a varied musical programme under Chorus Director Michael Bawtree.  The choir currently numbers c 130 singers and is looking to recruit tenor scholars to support that section. Successful applicants will be paid a suitable honorarium.
To apply, or for further information about Tenor Scholarships please contact admin@ercu.org.uk.

Tenor Scholar
A new tenor scholar this season is Harry Lempriere-Johnston, currently in his fourth year studying English literature at the University of Edinburgh, who writes:
“I have been a keen singer all my life. Surprisingly, singing does not run in my family, so it was a bit of a shock to them when I made it into the school choir age nine. However, my love for singing was not held back and it blossomed over the years. Travelling the world from 13 in a choir, performing in China, South Africa, Kenya, Russia, and all over the UK, I realised singing was my calling. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I started learning proper opera repertoire. After a two-year hiatus after leaving school with no singing at all, I joined Edinburgh Studio Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus where my passion was reignited, singing alongside professionally trained opera singers.

Harry Lempriere-Johnston

From then on, it has been endless fun, performing as Captain Corcoran in Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group’s HMS Pinafore and playing Jupiter in ESO’s Semele. I am currently in the process of applying to London conservatoires for a Masters in Music (Performance) to pursue my career as an opera singer. Singing with ERCU has given me an opportunity, and a platform, to explore my singing further and build my relationships in the operatic world, and I look forward to my year with them.”

Conducting Fellow
We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new conducting fellow, Fraser David Macdonald. Fraser is an emerging Scottish conductor and composer. He graduated from the Reid School of Music in 2023, and is now pursuing a masters in composition at the University of Edinburgh. Fraser regularly conducts the schola cantorum of the Sacred Heart Church, as the assistant director of music. His compositions explore history and storytelling, and are set for choir and small instrumental ensembles. Alongside conducting and composing, Fraser sings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, and Edinburgh University Chamber Choir.

Fraser David Macdonald

Welcome
We're delighted to have been joined by a good number of new members this season and especially by many younger enthusiasts. Welcome to you all!

A pre-concert reheasal at Greyfriars Church Edinburgh