

On Saturday 8 February we’re welcoming a very special concert into St Matthias Church.
‘A Chorus For Emma’ celebrates the life of the much-beloved Scottish Mezzo Soprano, Emma Kerr (1987–2021).
Emma died tragically and unexpectedly at the age of just 34, as she was approaching the height of a promising operatic career. Emma was loved by so many, and is greatly missed by family, friends, and the world of classical music in which she had become so admired and respected. This event brings together her friends, colleagues, and fellow alumni from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to celebrate her remarkable legacy and her deep love for music.
She studied singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, after which her career flourished. She was a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist (2015–2017), a Jerwood Young Artist at Glyndebourne, and a Samling Artist in 2016. Among her many accolades, she received the Audience Prize in the Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Award in 2017.
Emma performed with leading opera companies, including English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Garsington Opera, and Scottish Opera. She was also a frequent soloist on prestigious stages across the UK and Europe.
The Concert
The programme will feature a selection of Emma’s favourite works by Mozart, Bizet, Handel, Saint-Saëns, and more. All performers were Emma’s colleagues and friends, many of whom perform regularly with leading opera companies, including Glyndebourne, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, and Garsington Opera.
There will be performances featuring Natalya Romaniw, Alison Langer, Anna Patalong, Timothy Nelson, Tom Elwin, Sky Ingram, Samantha Crawford, Jade Moffat, Nazan Fikret, Dan Shelvy, Lucy Anderson, Madison Nonoa, Julia Sitkovetsky, Ian Beadle, Ciara White, Claudie Myles, Ella de Jongh, Charlotte King, Elizabeth Lynch, Elizabeth Karani, Laura Ruhi Vidal, Niel Joubert, Nick Allen, Piran Legg, Catherine Backhouse, Natalia Brzezinska and many other exceptional artists. The evening will be conducted by Aidan Oliver, currently the Resident Chorus Master at Glyndebourne.
Ticket proceeds from this event will support the inaugural Emma Kerr Classical Singing Award, which helps aspiring young Scottish Mezzo Sopranos. This award enables them to attend the prestigious Oxenfoord Summer School, a registered charity (SC049216) held annually in Scotland. Here, students have the opportunity to work with world-class industry professionals, just as Emma did, helping them shape their own musical journeys.
Booking and Donations
- Tickets: Book now at www.achorusforemma.co.uk
- Donations: If you’re unable to attend but would like to support this cause, please visit our crowdfunding page: JustGiving – A Chorus for Emma.
Katie Grosset, Frazer Scott, Jo Padfield and Emma’s family are incredibly grateful for the support of Ruth Whitehead Associates and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in making this event possible.
Let’s come together to celebrate Emma’s life, honour her memory, and support the next generation of talented singers in her name.