St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral Website
St Mary’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Cathedral is part of the world-wide Anglican communion and has very close links with the Church of England, as well as its Presbyterian neighbours (the Church of Scotland).
The Cathedral was built between 1874 and 1879, using plans drawn up architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. The Chapter House and western spires were added in 1890 and 1913 to 1917 respectively. The style of Scott’s design for the Cathedral was inspired by the early Gothic churches and abbeys of Scotland. The central tower, spire and the twin western spires are such prominent features that they may be seen from miles away. The enormous weight of the central tower is carried on four main pillars and spread 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.
St Mary’s Cathedral Choir
"One of Scotland's (indeed the UK's) musical jewels."
Described by Gramophone magazine as “one of Scotland’s (indeed the UK’s) musical jewels”, the Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral enjoys an international reputation.
From international tours, performing in some of the world’s greatest concert venues, frequent television and radio broadcasts and acclaimed CD recordings to Christmas carols and choir football, the Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral offers a unique opportunity to children from P4 to S2 to become choristers. 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 fifteenth to the twenty-first century and learning up to two instruments in addition to their singing.
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. Being a chorister is undoubtedly hard work, but the rewards are immeasurable