About

The Renaissance Group was founded in 1955 by Douglas Gifford, Professor in the Spanish Department of the University of St Andrews, and his wife Hazel, and has been remembered with huge affection by former choir members for seventy years. Memories of singing in the choir, such as group meals and European tours, hold a special significance for so many people and are traditions that the current choir continues.

Now, as the St Andrews Renaissance Singers, the choir continues to be formed not just of university staff and students but also of members of the wider local community. We sing the glorious music of the Renaissance but also include works from other periods. In addition to presenting our own concerts, we sing for weddings, evensongs and other services as needed, mainly in the university chapel of St Salvator or the university’s Laidlaw Music Centre.

The choir commemorated its 70th anniversary during the 2025/26 session, with a series of workshops, commissions, and an anniversary weekend.  This included a new work by Kit McCarthy and workshop sessions led by the Gesualdo Six. The choir committee is in the process of planning the initial rehearsal and concert schedule for 2026/27.