Our Current Musical Director will be leaving in June 2025 and we are looking for a successor. This would be an exciting position for either an experienced ,or novice ,choirmaster with a passion for choral work and opera, who has the drive to take our musical programmes forward with an ever respectful eye to the traditions HHCOS has built up over the years.

Established 80 years ago, the choir currently has 60 adult singing voices. It is non auditioned and is a blend of trained and untrained voices. The last few years have seen us perform choral works at the theatre and chapel at Haddo House and other venues.

Our aims and ambitions include the encouragement of young musicians and we have developed good links with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from where we often engage students as our soloists. We have a long standing relationship with Aberdeen Sinfonietta, and ,over many years we have welcomed guest directors, singers and conductors.

Our current plans for 2025/2026 comprise a performance of Stainer's "Crucifixion" in October, a series of Carol Concerts in December, and, in March 2026 an event to celebrate our 80th Anniversary. 

We will require our new Musical Director to begin in October 2025 and to take full responsibility for the December Carol Concerts before preparing for an anniversary performance in March 2026.On completion of a 9 month trial period with the choir the position may become permanent.

Our founder, June Gordon, aimed to make classical music and opera something to be enjoyed by all. We would want our new Musical Director to embrace this philosophy. Our aspirations are ambitious, and we look to be led by a Musical Director who brings out the best in us, and who has the skills to work with singers of mixed abilities. They will develop our musical programme each year, take weekly rehearsals with our principle choir during school term times and lead additional rehearsals required prior to concerts and productions.

We invite applications for this position, and ask that , together with a brief CV, applicants enclose their suggestions for a musical programme covering the next two seasons. Whilst we acknowledge that you do not know us, or our capabilities as a choir, it will none the less give us an idea of where your own vision and ambition may lie.

Remuneration for the post will be by negotiation. The closing date for applications is Friday 23rd May. Interviews will be carried out at Haddo during the following two weeks.

Applications should be submitted electronically to our Secretary, Sue Willing at secretary@hhcos.org.uk