Choir School

The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh enjoys an international reputation through its recordings, tours, broadcasts, and concerts. Described by Gramophone as ‘one of Scotland’s (indeed the UK’s) musical jewels’, the choir consists of choristers aged 9-13 (all attending St Mary’s Music School on Cathedral or government bursaries), university choral scholars and professional lay clerks.

In 1978 the choir became the first in the UK with a daily choral tradition to allow girls to sing alongside boys in the treble line – the thirtieth anniversary of which in 2008 was marked by an editorial in The Times – and then, in 2006, the first to admit a female alto.

Being a Chorister 

The heart of a chorister's work lies in singing for the daily services at the Cathedral and for the services on Sundays but there are particular times of the year that are particularly special. Christmas and Easter are both very important and are particular highlights for every chorister, and in August the Choir takes part in the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

“A haven of calm in Edinburgh in August, St Mary’s Cathedral in Palmerston Place is also a repository of soothing music. There are free lunchtime chamber concerts each day, but the real glory is the Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir most evenings at 5.30pm.”

Richard Morrison, The Times

Although the commitment is demanding and exacting, the high standard of musical performance on a daily basis brings a great deal of satisfaction.  It develops a team spirit and qualities of leadership. Singing at an occasion such as the Christmas Carol service, or a live radio broadcast, or working and meeting with world-renowned composers is an unforgettable experience for a chorister and provides the foundation for a lifetime’s enjoyment of all music.