About Our Choir
The Elizabethan Madrigal Singers (also known as the Mads; @AberMads on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube) are a welcoming, committed, high quality choir and Aberystwyth University’s longest-running society, founded in 1950. The Mads are proud to be a consistently friendly, supportive, dedicated community that encourages all who enjoy music to try us out and audition. In 2024-25 we were awarded Society of the Month (February) and Most Improved Society of the Year, while our past President and Conductor, Anna, was named Societies Person of the Year. In 2025-26, we were the winners of the Society of the Year and Welsh Culture Awards.
The Mads began as a small chamber choir focusing on madrigals and Early Music, but today our broad and varied repertoire spans Renaissance works, folk songs, Choral Evensong services, contemporary chamber pieces, and arrangements of popular and modern music.
We rehearse twice a week, perform regularly throughout the year, and - most importantly - enjoy making great music together. Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or completely new to group singing, you’ll find a warm welcome here. Enthusiasm matters as much as experience, and we provide learning resources, including practice tracks and potential extra sessions to help everyone feel more confident and comfortable with the repertoire.
Our performances range from intimate concerts to large-scale events and functions. These include Come and Sing days, collaborations with other societies, RAG showcase fundraisers, and seasonal community showcases such as Christmas carolling and our Christmas concert. Before the summer break we have our big End of Year Concert which contains our favourite songs from the year.
In June 2025, we toured North Wales for five nights, performing in Conwy, Llandudno, Portmeirion, and even at the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to continue this tradition in the June of 2026 we visited York singing in Churk Castle, Rowan Tree Park and St Helens church whilst exploring Yorks wonders. Beyond performances and concerts, a Mads member means being involved in:
- Beach campfires - songs around the fire, guitars and ukuleles welcome.
- Mix of drinking and dry socials - pub/club nights, café meet-ups, board-game evenings, film and musical nights, quizzes, mafia/werewolf, open mics, karaoke, meals, and more.
- Member-led ideas - suggest your own to our Social Sec, and we’ll try it. We aim for free or low-cost socials where possible.
- Socials with other societies - collaborations and joint events throughout the year.
- Tours and trips - we usually end the year with a summer tour (subject to SU guidance and member interest). Details are announced in autumn/winter so everyone can plan ahead.
The Elizabethan Madrigal Singers are dedicated to the inclusion and acceptance of all prospective and current members regardless of age, race, ethnicity, disability, culture or nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status and marital status.
Typical Rehearsal
We rehearse every Monday and Thursday - 7-9pm - in Pantycelyn’s Senior Common Room. Monday is our relaxed session (led by the Assistant Conductor) and Thursday is more focused and faster paced (led by the Conductor). This allows the Mads to balance our high musical standards and commitment expectations with an understanding of busy student life. Regular attendance builds confidence and general choir blend; if you miss a session, we’ll help you catch up. (Social Members join Mondays; Singing Members join both nights - more info on memberships below).
Semester 1 Events and Performances
Christmas concert
Typically a collaberation with local churches singing carols and other chritmas repotoir.
Semester 2 Events and Performances
Cwps Showcase
A relaxed showcase night with a mix of full choir and smaller groups/solos/duos. Date/time to be confirmed.
Reunion at Constitution Hill (Consti)
A social get-together at Consti. Date/time to be confirmed.
End of Academic Year / Summer Concert
Our final concert of the year featuring favourites from across the repertoire. Date/time/location to be confirmed.
(Full venue details with Google Maps and what3words links are in the “Locations” section at the bottom of this page.)
Membership Details
We offer two simple memberships so you can join in a way that fits your week, comfort, commitment, and ability.
Social Membership - £10 (students) / £15 (non-students)
Our community extends beyond choir singing. The Social membership is for anyone who wants to be a part of the Mads without the commitment of performing or twice-weekly rehearsals. No audition required.
You get:
- Monday rehearsals ONLY (our more relaxed session led by the Assistant Conductor, Max).
- Free entry to all the Mads concerts.
- Invitations to all society socials and events.
- The chance for occasional performance opportunities when the performance is outside our repertoire, or a programme is built from Monday rehearsals only (performances using music from both rehearsals are not available to Social members).
Singing Membership - £20 (students) / £25 (non-students)
You get everything in the Social membership, plus:
- Two rehearsals each week: Monday (relaxed) and Thursday (focused, fast-paced with our Conductor, Anna).
- Perform in concerts - members are expected to regularly attend both rehearsals each week.
- Access to the full repertoire across all performances.
- Opportunities for solo lines where the repertoire allows - members may be invited or can express interest to try out; allocation is based on fit and readiness.
- Offered following a friendly audition (more below).
SU compliance note: Student members must hold Team Aber insurance (£8); non-student members arrange their own insurance before taking part in activities.
Important! Please wait to purchase a membership until after attending a give it a go session or completing your audition.
Audition Process
Auditions are friendly and supportive, held twice a year - during Freshers (September) and ReFreshers (February). We encourage all prospective members to audition as it’s the route to our Singing membership and a great way to step outside your comfort zone, build confidence, find your voice placement, and get comfortable singing in front of others. Our goal is to find the best fit for your voice. You should expect to:
- Perform your choice of song (any genre) - a cappella, with a backing track, or with an instrument (a piano will be available).
- Complete a short vocal range test so we can place you in the right section.
- Have a brief chat about your musical experience and interests.
Freshers auditions - October 2026 - Senior Common Room, Pantycelyn.
ReFreshers auditions - January 2027 - Senior Common Room, Pantycelyn.
After your audition, we’ll email you with your voice placement and a membership recommendation. If you’re recommended for a Singing membership but can’t make Thursdays - or you’d prefer a lighter commitment - you’re very welcome to choose our Social membership instead. If you’re not successful this time, we’ll offer our Social membership with zero stigma, and you’re encouraged to audition again next time.
Meet the 2025/26 Committee
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Arweinydd/ President - Percy
Hello! I’m Percy (he/ him), a Business and Climate Change student and I’ve loved singing with the MADs for the past two years. I’ve sung in choirs for around a decade, and have been grateful to sing in such wonderful buildings like St Paul’s in London to the York Minster and St Mary’s in Edinburgh; I LOVE a beautiful acoustic. I’m a big reader, occasional cyclist, and eternally found in the library definitely locked in! The MADs are such a fun community, and I can’t wait to take this choir into the next year!
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Arweinydd/ Conductor - Max
“Hi, my name is Max (he/him) and I am the conductor this year. I have spent my whole life surrounded by music with singing in choirs and playing the trumpet in bands. Outside of music I’m a third-year studying Marketing/Business and Management and I play both rugby and football. I’m looking forward to seeing what this year has in store for the Mads.”
Cynorthwyydd arweinydd/ Assistant Conductor - Chloe
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Ysgrifennydd/Secretary - Ula
Hi Everyone, my name's Ula (she/ her) I have been in this choir for 1 year and don't really have any past singing training, I am so looking forward to working together with the rest of committee next year to make choir as smooth, enjoyable and welcoming as it can be, I have enjoyed that Mads thoroughly this year and have felt so welcomed and I hope all our new and returning members have an equally fantastic experience.
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Trysorydd/Treasurer - Sofiia
“Hello everyone! My name is Sofiia (she/her), and I am the Treasurer of this year’s committee. I am a third-year student studying Business and Management, and a member of the wonderful Mads choir. Starting from when I was four in Ukraine, I have been a member of six different choirs. Although I am not trained in any instruments or sheet music notation, the Mads have allowed me to train my musical ear and singing ability. The choir is a community of amazing and lovely people, and they have made my first-year the best it could be - changing me for the better. I am looking forward to meeting all new members, and to all the adventures and songs we’ll sing together!”
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Ysgrifennydd Cymdeithasol/Social Secretary - Gabrielle
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Swyddog Lles/Wellbeing Officer - Daisy
Heya!! My name is Daisy (she/her) and I’m the Mads’ Wellbeing Officer for the 2026-27 year. My singing experience (or lack thereof) consists of my primary school choir and screaming into the karaoke machine when my parents weren’t home. I’m a third year Mathematics student who enjoys a big hike one day and then sleeping in the next, and being part of the Mads has really helped me meet a range of awesome people!
I’ll be focusing on providing for the tea and coffee breaks, taking register, choosing our charity to support for the year and making sure you’re all feeling happy and comfortable in rehearsals. If you’re considering joining, I promise it’ll be worth it!!!
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Swyddog Cymreictod/Welsh Officer - Gruff
"Hi everyone, my name is Gruff (he/him) and I am the Mads' Welsh Officer for this year, in charge of translating some of our content into Welsh and helping the choir to learn the Welsh pieces that we add to our repertoire. I’m a first year Physics student and in my spare time I like to rock-climb and to cook. Singing in a choir was a big part of my experience all throughout primary and secondary school, so being able to sing as a part of a group again in Aber felt like a home away from home and a great way to make new friends, even if you’re not confident singing. I’m looking forward to all the fun we’ll have singing together!"
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Get In Touch
If you’d like to join the choir, attend an event, or simply learn more, we’d love to hear from you! You can reach us via email abermads@aber.ac.uk, or @AberMads on our socials: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. If there's a specific member of committee you'd like to contact:
• Percy (President) - peh35
• Max (Conductor) - mar150
• Ula (Secretary) - ula3
• Sofiia (Treasurer) - sov5
• Gabrielle (Social Sec.) - grt32
• Daisy (Wellbeing Officer) - daf55
• Gruff (Welsh Officer) - grr25
We also welcome opportunities to perform at events, functions, and celebrations. If you're interested in booking us to sing at your event, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Gallery of 2024/25
Gallery of 2025/26
Locations
Core Documents
Constitution
Code of Conduct
Risk Assessment
Equipment List