A young man with autism has revealed how joining a choir brought him out of his shell and offered him a new lease of life.
Matthew Philip, who lives in Countesswells and has been delivering the Press and Journal for five years, struggled to make friends as a boy and very much kept to himself.
But after taking up singing lessons, the 20-year-old is now one of the youngest members of the Morven Singers choir.
He regularly defies his condition by performing before large crowds, and credits the turnaround in his outlook entirely to his love of music.
Last summer, Mr Philip travelled to Germany with the group – a challenge which would have been “inconceivable” for him just a few years earlier.
He said: “It was daunting to start with, as I was very shy, but that has all changed now.
“It is amazing how singing can change things.
“I got involved with it through the Aberdeen Music Centre, and love the feeling of being part of a big choir.
“I hope to be involved with the choir for many years to come, I love how it has brought me out of my shell.”
Mr Philip, who also plays violin, graduated from the North East Scotland College with an HND in sound production in 2017 and hopes to begin a career in music.
He is now encouraging other people with social conditions to try out different activities as a way of helping them bond with others, especially singing.
He added: “You do feel nervous about it, but if you know you have given it your all and it’s a good performance then that gives you a great feeling of satisfaction.”
Morag Simpson, who leads the choir, began tutoring Mr Philip when he was just a child, and believes that he is a perfect example of the “healing power of song”.
She added: “Years earlier, it would be inconceivable that Matthew would have managed such a trip as the one to Germany.
“Not only did he manage, but he really was one of the most reliable members there.”
The Morven Singers group, which meets every Wednesday at Ruthrieston West Church on Broomhill Road, features about 40 adults ranging in age from 20 to 89.
