St Mary's Cathedral Choir to welcome would-be choristers

From left, Brigitte Harrigan Lees, nine, Nora Trew-Rae, ten, Florence Gill, nine, Alex Mackie, ten, Ben Bradshaw, ten and Clara Harrigan Lees, nine. Picture: Greg Macvean

Primary schools in the Capital are being invited to choose two P3-P6 pupils to attend a special event next month.

The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral takes part in international tours, performing in some of the world’s greatest concert venues, as well recording CDs and recording for television and radio.

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Now children aged seven to nine are getting the chance to find out about the life of a chorister and decide if they fancy becoming one.

Those put forward by their schools will spend the afternoon of Saturday, March 5 at the cathedral’s Song School, singing with the choir conducted by its master of music, Duncan Ferguson.

Also included in the afternoon’s activities are the opportunity to spend an hour in the primary class at St Mary’s Music School, with games and activities with the primary school-age choristers who  already attend the school.

Then it will be back to the Song School at the cathedral, in Palmerston Place, for an additional singing session and the chance to sing at Evensong in the cathedral with parents and families invited.

All choristers are provided with scholarships by the  cathedral or the Scottish Government to be educated alongside the instrumentalists at St Mary’s Music School.

They combine their school day with daily rehearsals and services, learning music from the 15th to the 21st century and learning up to two instruments in addition to their  singing.

Mr Ferguson said: “The chorister programme, which is maintained by many cathedrals in the UK but only by St Mary’s in Scotland, is widely acknowledged as unique in developing high levels of musicianship and performance at an early age.

“In addition to the exceptional musical benefits, it fosters important life qualities of dedication, discipline and teamwork, and provides strong foundations for the choristers, not just in music but in their lives more generally.

“We look forward to welcoming boys and girls who like to sing to our special day on March 5 where they and their families can find out more about what a chorister education is like and to try it out for themselves.”

n Further information for parents of children interested in attending the event can be obtained from St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place, by calling 0131-225 6293 or by e-mailing  [email protected].

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