Shirley Manson's former Edinburgh primary school's choir in "unforgettable" collaboration for Castle concert
A day to remember forever for Edinburgh school pupils
Garbage singer Shirley Manson gave pupils at her former Edinburgh primary school an experience “they will never forget” at the weekend.
The former Flora Stevenson Primary School pupil was back home on Saturday night for a triumphant homecoming show with her American rock band Garbage at Edinburgh Castle.
The concert concluded with a pre-recorded performance and video by her former primary school’s choir to collaborate on closing track ‘Only Happy When It Rains’.
Flora Stevenson Primary School choir director Elspeth Spalding explained why the pupils didn’t join the band live on stage on Saturday night.
She said: “The choir’s performance was recorded because the show was late at night and a grown-up concert. So this way they were still heard and seen at the concert, but didn’t have to stay up late.
“Shirley is a former pupil here, and we have a gold record of hers in the office. So when we heard they were coming to the castle we thought it was a great opportunity for the band to come in and visit us.
“And then it turned into this incredible collaboration with the choir. We made a choral arrangement and it took five weeks, with the kids staying behind after school each Friday in our makeshift studio.
“We also spent a day creating the video to go with our performance. The kids were great, as were the parents.
“The kids really enjoyed it, it was a once in a lifetime event.
“They explored a completely new style of music, worked with professional artists and discovered that opportunities often begin by simply asking the question. The memories they'll take away from this will last a lifetime.”
The pupils from the Comely Bank school also got the chance to meet Shirley and the band ahead of the huge outdoor show.
Elspeth added: “The band met the choir during the soundcheck at the castle on Saturday afternoon. It was all very exciting. Shirley came out and gave the kids a pep talk and said it meant so much to her and the band to have us as part of the concert.
“The band all then came out and spoke to the kids for about 20 minutes, telling them to keep making music. It was so lovely. And we also got lots of photos with the band.
“It was really a great day, which the kids will never forget. Shirley showed them that no matter where you are starting you can achieve what you want in life.
“It was very exciting to meet her for the first time, after emailing her back and forward to work out the logistics of this collaboration. But it all came together so well, creating an incredible day for the pupils.
“They left inspired by the knowledge that extraordinary journeys often begin in the most familiar places, and that the next great Scottish musician could already be sitting in one of their classrooms today.
“One of the kids told me Shirley is her new best friend, the kids were just so in awe of her. It was a privilege to be involved in something like this.”
Flora Stevenson Primary School choir started in 2024 with 30 students, and has since grown to 60 students with 20 on a waiting list to join. The choir is run by choir director Elspeth Spalding, with choir managers Dom Neary and Ruth Prowse, along with accompanists/ assistants Cazz Dodds, Jude Hessian and Hannah Webster.