Relaxed afternoon for children and parents to experience life as a chorister, with warm-ups, music, a visit to the music school, afternoon tea and a service.
St Mary's Music School is running its Be a Chorister Afternoon on Friday 23 October at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh West. It's a relaxed way for children and their parents to get a proper look at what life as a chorister is actually like, rather than just hearing about it. The afternoon itself is a hands-on introduction: there are warm-ups, learning new music, a visit to the music school, afternoon tea, and a service at the Cathedral. It's designed to let kids try out the singing and the routine before any big decisions are made.
To understand why it's worth a look, it helps to know what the role actually is. Being a chorister at St Mary's is part of a tradition that goes back to 1880. Around sixteen boys and girls make up the chorister element of the Choir, and over five years they get a musical and academic education split between the Cathedral and St Mary's Music School. The school runs a five-year programme from Primary 5 to Senior 2, and there's no requirement for any religious affiliation. It's a long-term commitment, not a short-term extra, and the music is the main thing.
There's also a way in for younger children. P3s and P4s who love to sing can join as probationers on audition, staying at their own school and singing Choral Evensong every Tuesday after school and the Sunday Eucharist each week, before becoming full-time choristers. The Be a Chorister Afternoon is the school's way of showing how that works in practice.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Edinburgh and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The Cathedral itself is one of Scotland's great church buildings, and it's the only one to maintain daily Choral worship. The afternoon takes place there, at Palmerston Place, Edinburgh West EH12 5AW, on Friday 23 October.
