Messiah celebration

Thursday 22 November 2018

Messiah 2013, image

The Principal of the University of St Andrews will host a reception to mark the 40th anniversary of the formation of the St Andrews Chorus.

A formal agreement was put in place earlier which created one choir bringing both University staff and the community together.

Grown out of the Holy Trinity Augmented Choir, the Chorus appeared for the first time publicly on 26 February 1978 at a concert with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah.

Now named the St Andrews Chorus, it is currently the largest non-auditioning choir in Scotland with around 150 singers, of whom half are students. Over the years it has also involved local school children and given many student instrumentalists the experience of performing major works as part of the supporting orchestra.

To mark the anniversary two major concerts are planned. The first on 24 November will see the Chorus perform Handel’s Messiah, mirroring the choir’s first performance; and the second will be Elgar’s The Kingdom which will be performed on 27 April 2019.

As part of the collaboration, the University’s Younger Hall will be given over twice yearly to the Chorus for their concerts. The University will also provide a home for rehearsals, which will take place in the University’s new Music Centre on its completion.

Mary Popple, President of St Andrews Chorus, said: “The Chorus represents a meeting place for townspeople and students to come together in a shared interest and with common enjoyment.

“The collaboration ensures that the Chorus has a home to rehearse and perform in, making it a sustainable venture for years to come.”

Other events planned for the anniversary year include pop-up concerts in the University’s Christmas Market on 8 December, in the marquee at St Salvator’s and during the Botanic Garden Christmas Plant Sale on 15 December.

A grant from the St Andrews Community Council has enabled an exhibition to be held charting the history of the Chorus through programmes, reviews and photographs from across the years.

Messiah will be performed in the Younger Hall at 6.30pm on Saturday 24 November 2018.  Tickets are available from the Byre Box Office and Chorus members or at the door on the night.


Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office.

Category Public interest stories

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