Music @ Douai Abbey
Douai Abbey Singers
The Douai Abbey Singers are the Lay Choir of Douai Abbey, whose primary function is to augment the abbey church liturgy on regular Sundays and feasts during the year, complementing the monastic chant with polyphony both old and new. The choir’s varied repertoire ranges from Renaissance to contemporary motets and Mass settings, with an emphasis on a cappella singing, often laced with plainchant.
The Douai Abbey Singers are particularly proud of their tradition of commissioning new works from leading composers. In recent years this has included Roxanna Panufnik (Douai Missa Brevis), David Bednall (Missa Lux et Origo, Missa de Angelis, Missa Brevis), Alex Hodgkinson (Missa Orbis Factor), as well as other works by Colin Mawby and John Sanders. The Abbey Singers maintain a very high standard, and have made a number of recordings, and have sung at other venues, including Westminster Cathedral in London and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
In 2025 Douai Abbey launched a Choral Scholarship for promising singers aged 18-26 who wish to develop their ability to sing within an ambitious choral setting, and to gain experience in contributing to Catholic liturgical practice. Interested candidates should contact the Director of Music music@douaiabbey.org.uk at any time of year.
The choir’s usual routine is to sing at Mass on the third Sunday of each month, and for major feasts throughout the year including the Sacred Triduum and Christmas. Rehearsals take place before each service, with singers needing to be experienced in sightreading and efficient in learning pieces across a range of styles. The Douai’s Director of Music, Oliver Walker, is always delighted to hear from aspiring members of the choir at music@douaiabbey.org.uk.
Our Musicians
*Director of Music, Oliver Walker
Oliver Walker is a music educator, choral conductor and organist who is privileged to have made music around the world. Having worked as Director of Music at Repton School (2016-2024) and Head of Choral Music at Solihull School (2010-2016), he now serves as Director of Music at Douai Abbey, where he oversees all aspects of its musical life, including providing organ music for mass each Sunday, direction of the Douai Abbey Singers, and managing the Douai’s busy concert programme.
Oliver studied Music as an Organ Scholar at Keble College, Oxford, and Choral Conducting at the University of Birmingham, and as an organist has held positions at Wells, Gloucester, and Chelmsford Cathedrals. Other current roles include working as Choirmaster at Bruern Abbey Schools, and being Musical Director of both Jubilate Chamber Choir (Oxford) and Solihull Choral Society.
Oliver studied Music as an Organ Scholar at Keble College, Oxford, and Choral Conducting at the University of Birmingham, and as an organist has held positions at Wells, Gloucester, and Chelmsford Cathedrals. Other current roles include working as Choirmaster at Bruern Abbey Schools, and being Musical Director of both Jubilate Chamber Choir (Oxford) and Solihull Choral Society.
*Principal Cantors
Robert Opoku
Andrew Doll
Kate McNamara
Choral Scholarship Scheme
In 2025 Douai Abbey instituted a Choral Scholarship for promising singers aged 18-26 who wish to develop their ability to sing within an ambitious choral setting, and to gain experience in contributing to Catholic liturgical practice. Interested candidates should contact the Director of Music at music@douaiabbey.org.uk at any time of year.
The Choral Scholar for 2026 is Oliver Hames.
Concerts
Douai Abbey regularly hosts concerts of sacred music in its abbey church, attracting a wide range of professional and amateur choirs throughout the year. We are particularly proud to function as a hub for local choral societies who frequently perform in the abbey church, attracting large audiences. You can see details of upcoming concerts on our Concerts page.
If you would like to discuss booking to perform in Douai’s abbey church, please contact concerts@douaiabbey.org.uk and we would be happy to discuss this with you.