2024-2025 Season

Coming next . .

Come & Sing September 2025

​More information >>

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.

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News from ERCU

News of former ERCU conducting fellow, Sam McLellan
Members of the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union were delighted to learn of the appointment of Sam McLellan as the new Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra.  Sam was a conducting fellow with ERCU for 3 seasons and was much loved by the choir members.  Sam posted of his appointment: "A privilege to have been appointed Conductor of Perth Symphony Orchestra and make music in my hometown, with the home team, in the home hall.  #onwards".  See more at the Perth Symphony Orchestra website.

Review of "Radiant in Blue & Gold" - Summer Concert 2025
Excerpts from The Edinburgh Music Review.
"Macdonald’s music is melodic writing for a four-part choir, with the flutes and recorded birdsong adding to the harmonies in the music.  He writes well for the voice, and choir members are enthusiastic about the work.  The words, reflections on  the lives of butterflies, are by US poets, mostly working in the late Victorian period and the earlier part of the 20th century – the exception is Richard  Wilbur 1921-2016, excerpts from whose 1961 poem ‘Advice to a Prophet’ provide the text for Harry Lempriere-Johnston’s tenor solo.   The poem which begins – unsurprising given its date - with prophecies about the impact of modern weaponry, turns to the earth’s ecological fragility in the section chosen.  This is very much Macdonald’s message in his work, and contains his best most vigorous music, which the young tenor sings admirably, a committed performance showing his strong flexible voice.  The composer/conductor is obviously delighted – and a bit relieved – when his work receives well-deserved applause!​"
"...the main impact in the Mass comes from the exceptional choral singing, with the bright final sections of the ‘Gloria’ delivered with obvious enjoyment which spreads to the audience. There’s enthusiastic applause for the choir, soloists and their outstanding conductor, Michael Bawtree;  it continues for some time, before mentally uplifted - but also suitably attired - we go out into the wet Edinburgh night."  
Read more > >

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Tenor Scholarships  ​* * * We remain on the lookout for Tenor Scholars * * *
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 Scholars
​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.”

We are delighted to introduce our second Tenor Scholar, Nathanael Fagerson, who writes:
​"I started singing in choirs from age 7 when I joined the regional National Youth Choir of Scotland in Dundee until I was 12, with some years in the National Boys Choir of Scotland. After that I went south of the border on a music scholarship to Sherborne School in Dorset, where my singing really started to flourish. With weekly singing lessons and many choirs, my love for choir music grew rapidly! From 2020-24 I was at the University of St Andrews where I started in the University Chapel Choir and then joined St Andrews Madrigal Group for three years when I was given the opportunity to sing in some amazing locations from Berlin Cathedral to Westminster Abbey.
I’m currently studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. I am very excited to start the next part of my musical journey with the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union. The repertoire is exciting, and I look forward to singing with them over the year."​

Nathanael Fagerson

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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 is the Assistant Director of the schola cantorum of the Church of the Sacred Heart.  Having achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Edinburgh University, Fraser is now pursuing a masters in composition, with a focus on music for voices and instruments.  An accomplished choral composer, Fraser is interested in telling stories that are relevant to a modern audience, and recently he has been exploring the use of field recordings and visual media to enhance the concert experience.
Alongside conducting and composing, Fraser is a tenor scholar with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus, and performs with them regularly.  Other concert highlights include the BBC Proms and a concert in the Carnegie Hall with the National Youth Choir of Scotland, and performing alongside Andrea Bocelli and Edinburgh University Chamber Choir in the OVO Hydro.​

Fraser David Macdonald

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