A Daily Choral Tradition
A strong foundation of dedication, discipline, and teamwork
The chorister programme is maintained by many cathedrals in the UK but only by St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Scotland. It is widely acknowledged as unique in developing high levels of musicianship and performance from an early age.
In addition to exceptional musical benefits such as learning to read sheet music confidently, singing in harmony, voice control and vocal training, chorister training fosters important life qualities of dedication, discipline and teamwork, and provides strong foundations for young people not just in music but in life. Being a chorister is undoubtedly hard work, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Along with daily practice, singing for the daily and Sunday services at the Cathedral there are some particularly special times of year for the choristers. Christmas and Easter are important highlights and, each August, the Cathedral Choir takes part in the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe. There are also opportunities to tour abroad from time to time.
A note about St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
|
The mother church of the Diocese of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Cathedral was built between 1874 and 1879 and designed by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. The Chapter House and western spires were added in 1890 and from 1913 to 1917 respectively. The style of Scott’s design was inspired by the early Gothic churches and abbeys of Scotland and the central tower, spire and twin western spires are such prominent features that they can be seen from miles away, etched against the Edinburgh skyline. The enormous weight of the central tower is carried on four vast pillars and spreads through diagonal arches into buttresses in the outer walls, leaving unusually open views inside. The Cathedral supports a busy programme of groups and activities which are open to all. These vary from Sunday groups for children and young people, through groups which meet in the week for prayer, study, cultural and social activities, to various outreach and fundraising activities for charities both local and worldwide. |
|
