About Us

The elegantly Adams designed Haddo House, surrounded by gardens, park and lake with its abundant Scottish wildlife, is a uniquely beautiful and peaceful setting for concerts, operas and other shows. Situated 20 miles north of Aberdeen, (click here for a map) the House is Administered by the National Trust for Scotland, and still the home of founder Lady Aberdeen. The NTS have agreed to allow 'Haddo User Groups' (HUG), of which HHCOS is the prominent member, to use the attendant facilities for rehearsals and performances. If you would like to see more pictures of Haddo, and its surroundings visit the estate site.

The facilities comprise a purpose built rehearsal room, known as the 'Peatyards' and the historic and beautiful timber-built wooden theatre known as 'Haddo House Hall' for performances. The Choral Society also uses the tiny and picturesque Chapel, attached to the side of the main House for their popular carol concerts. These venues are a delight for both artists and their audiences.

Lady Aberdeen (June Gordon), the Musical Director, founded the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society Society in 1945 together with her late husband in order to give additional cultural opportunities to the residents of Aberdeenshire. Now for health reasons Lady Aberdeen is no longer able to conduct the Society regularly and so Chorus Master Alice E Dennis, GTCL, LTCL takes the rehearsals.

Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings at 7.15pm and run all year, with Alice and rehearsal pianist Jerry Dennis. New members are welcome to come and sing and can join at any time. All abilities are catered for, there are at present 70 - 90 members ranging from 16 to over 80 years of age. As with all the groups at Haddo, there are no auditions to join.

For a full programme of events, rehearsal schedules and membership details, please click on the buttons above.

HHCOS prides itself on its high standard of performance, achieved by the local community working alongside the professional artists brought in for producing and designing the opera, for the major solo roles and for playing in the orchestra for the opera and concerts alike.

HUG now involves over 200 members of all ages and backgrounds. Gifted amateurs of all ages take part in the wide range of productions including the HHCOS full scale Opera, large Choral Concert and Carol Concerts. There are also musical shows from the the Haddo Youth Music Theatre and the Haddo Children's Theatre and youth concerts involving the Haddo Youth and Children's Choirs. There is also a Christmas Pantomime (written by Charles Barron) where 25 performances by professional theatre group 'Livewire,' are given over a 14 day period to local school children. This unique blend makes Haddo the ultimate community arts centre.

Alice Dennis offers free singing workshops to schools in the area - Click here

Choral workshops are available to choirs and societies throughout Scotland - Click here

In addition, Haddo House Hall and the Peatyards are available for use by local and regional groups for dances, private functions (i.e. weddings, birthdays, presentations, conferences, etc.), craft fairs, performances and a whole range of other cultural and educational purposes (for booking the facilities, please contact the Haddo House Manager, Ishbel Adams on 01651 851440).