RSCM Scottish Voices
RSCM Scottish Voices is an exciting adult choir that aims to draw together some of the most accomplished and experienced church musicians across Scotland (primarily) to perform approximately six times a year in a variety of venues around the country.
RSCM Scottish Voices is one of the four RSCM Voices choirs, and promotes the RSCM’s Voice for Life programme to encourage singing for all.
The Musical Director of RSCM Scottish Voices, Frikki Walker, is the Director of Music at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow. Frikki is an inspiring musician who has been awarded Associate of the RSCM (ARSCM) in recognition of his work in music and liturgy in Scotland.
The choir currently has vacancies for singers in some parts, so if you are aged 18 or over, have experience in church choral singing, and would like to be considered for an audition or would like more information, please email the Choir Administrator in the form below.
Dates for 2024:
Saturday 13 April – St John’s Kirk in Perth
Saturday 18 May – Cathedral of the Isles, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae
Who we are
Our members are primarily, but not exclusively, Scotland based and are experienced church choir singers who want to expand their personal repertoire, often beyond what can be achieved in a small local church choir. Additionally, they want to take advantage of the tuition obtained from singing under our professional musicians.
We don’t meet to rehearse between the service days making both sightreading skills and everyone learning the music themselves beforehand very important. The fact that we only meet on the day of a service means that there is no weekly commitment to rehearsals, which suits most people.
Although it’s assumed that everyone will be at every meeting, it’s recognised that we’re all adults who lead busy lives. Inevitably there are times when singers aren’t available, which is fine as long as it’s notified as far in advance as possible. There are usually 40-50 people in the choir, and on average there are generally around 30-40 singers at each service.
FAQs
Q. Who can apply?
A. Preferred membership of Scottish Voices is open to adult members of RSCM-affiliated churches and choirs or Individual/Student members of the RSCM, though RSCM membership is not compulsory. Admission to the choir is by audition. The standard expected of applicants is roughly equivalent to that of RSCM Silver Award level. All members must comply with RSCM Safeguarding requirements. For more information, please contact the choir administrator at administrator@RSCMScottishVoices.org.uk
Q. What does the choir sing?
A. Scottish Voices sing a wide range of repertoire, from Tudor church music to pieces by living composers. Choir members are expected to purchase and bring their own music to singing days. Sometimes, music will be free to download and print.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Membership of the choir is £120 per annum. This is payable electronically in 1, 2 or 4 instalments. Members are also expected to buy their own music, unless instructed to download print a specified free version.
Q. How do I apply to join?
A. Applicants should contact the choir administrator using the form below, or via email at administrator@RSCMScottishVoices.org.uk. A date, time and location for an audition can then be arranged.
Frikki Walker - Director of Scottish Voices
Frikki Walker is one of Scotland’s busiest and most experienced Choral Conductors.
He has been Director of Music at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow since 1996, and under his leadership the choir has more than doubled in size, and now includes a Children’s Choir. Frikki has recorded four CDs with the choir, and the choir have now featured on over 50 Radio and TV programmes including, Daily Service and Morning Worship on BBC Radio 4, Sunday Half-hour on Radio 2, and a wide variety of special programmes on BBC Radios 2, 4, Scotland and the World Service. They have also appeared many times on BBC Television’s “Songs of Praise”.
In addition to his duties at St Mary’s, Frikki currently conducts the RSCM Scottish Voices, which he co-founded, and the Changed Voices of the RSNO Youth Chorus. He also conducts the acclaimed Chamber Choir of the High School of Glasgow, who have made several radio and TV appearances, and who won “BBC Songs of Praise Senior School Choir of the Year” in 2013, as well as being finalists in the Barnardo’s National Choral Competition 2019, in the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Frikki has worked, and continues to work, with many of Scotland’s most prestigious choirs, including the RSNO Chorus, the RSNO Youth Chorus, RSNO Chorus Academy, The National Youth Choir of Scotland, Bearsden Choir, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, the Glasgow Chamber Choir and the Chapel Choir of the University of Glasgow as well as various choirs in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, for whom he is a visiting examiner.
A keen Choral animateur, he has also run choral workshops for Festivals and choirs throughout Scotland and is in increasing demand as an adjudicator at Music Festivals.
An accomplished organist, Frikki has given recitals in parish churches, concert halls and Cathedrals all over Britain and beyond, including such venues as the Caird Hall in Dundee, St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Chester Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. He has also played in Salzburg, Holland, and in major churches in his home country, Iceland.
As a composer, he has written a huge range of choral music and choral arrangements, some of which are published, and several of which have been broadcast on Radio and TV, and sung and played in schools, churches and cathedrals all over the world. His “Camerata Carols” have twice featured in the RSNO Christmas Concerts.
Frikki is married with three children, and in his spare time, likes nothing better than spending time with them and his friends. He is also an avid fan of Science Fiction, especially Star Trek and Dr Who, is a life-long Lego enthusiast, and has an extensive collection of bookmarks.
