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 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 is a professional bass singer and currently a baritone cantor soloist at Douai Abbey. He is also a freelance parish church organist in the Windsor and Maidenhead area, and was until recently a member of the Choir of New College, Oxford under Robert Quinney, where highlights included singing the role of Jesus in the choir’s liturgical performance of Bach’s St John Passion (March 2025). Robert received his formative training as a chorister at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, music scholar and academic scholar at Harrow School, and choral scholar at Christ Church, Oxford where he also read for an honours degree in musicology. Outside music, Robert is a dual-qualified chartered accountant and trained in private practice. He has worked in government finance since 2018.
Andrew Doll began singing as a chorister in New College, Oxford, under Edward Higginbottom, and has since held positions at St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Norwich Cathedral, Queen's College, Oxford, and most recently as a Lay Clerk at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. He is also Associate Director of the medieval music ensemble, Fount & Origin. Outside of singing, he works as speechwriter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and is a very proud father.
Kate McNamara is an Australian-born singer, conductor, and educator. After studying voice at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she was a freelance soprano and lay clerk at St George’s Cathedral, Perth. As a conductor, Kate received training with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Perth Symphony Orchestra, later working with Fremantle Symphony Orchestra and West Australian Ballet. In 2022 she was Young Artist Conductor with West Australian Opera. Kate has led a large variety of sacred and secular ensembles, most notably as Artistic Director and General Manager of the Giovanni Consort (2021–2023), and as a Senior Conductor with the Australian Girls Choir (2015–2024). Kate relocated to the UK in 2024, and since settling in Buckinghamshire has built a busy performing schedule as a freelance soprano across London and Oxford. She currently holds the position of Head of Music at Claire’s Court Juniors
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, an engineering student at the University of Bristol and currently living in Reading for a year while completing an industrial placement. Originally from Leicester, he has sung with a variety of choirs across Leicester, Bristol and Reading, gaining experience in a wide range of choral traditions and repertoire. He is excited to be Choral Scholar at Douai Abbey this year and looks forward to developing his musicianship further, contributing to the Abbey’s rich musical life, and singing as part of such a welcoming and dedicated community.
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 or download the flyer below.
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.