2 december 2025
Seasonal Reflections: The Final News of the Year
The latest news from St Mary’s Music School as we count down to this year’s Christmas Concert.
Tickets for the ever-popular Christmas Concert are now on sale. Celebrate the festive season with an evening of beautiful music performed by all the pupils of St Mary’s Music School. This year’s programme features works by C.P.E. Bach, Steve Reich, Pēteris Vasks, and Samuel Barber, brought to life by the Junior Orchestra, Choristers of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, String Ensemble, School Choir, and Senior Orchestra. The concert will conclude with a traditional hymn, giving everyone the chance to join in and sing along. The Christmas Concert is taking place at the Parish Church of St Cuthber on 15 December and starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketsource.
At the start of November we welcomed pianist Simon Smith to School for a lunchtime concert on 5 November, ahead of his performance the following evening with our Director of Music, John Cameron, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Queen’s Hall.
Simon’s programme featured Three Dainas by Jānis Mediņš (a daina being a traditional Latvian form of song or poetry), Without Moon by Andris Dzenītis, and Music for a Summer Evening by Pēteris Vasks.
On Thursday 6 November, the SCO presented a compelling programme featuring works by Steve Reich, Joe Duddell and Helen Grime. Simon Smith and John Cameron joined the orchestra on piano, with the performance receiving outstanding reviews including a five-star review from The Scotsman and a “mindblowing” verdict from the Edinburgh Music Review. Links to the reviews are below:
Voxcarnyx
Bachtrack
Scotsman
Edinburgh Music Review
The School's Circle of Patrons was delighted to join forces with the Friends of St Cecilia’s Hall earlier this month for a joint event exploring the Hall's remarkable collection of historical instruments and showcasing Early Music tuition at the School. After fascinating curator-led tours of the museum we enjoyed a performance by the School’s Early Music Group, led by our Baroque violin specialist Hilary Michael. Many thanks to those pupils who performed and to our Patrons for their support. You can read the Edinburgh Music Review’s thoughts on the concert here: An Early Music Showcase — Edinburgh Music Review.
Finally, well done to pupils Patrick, Lily, Sandy and Frederick whom have all secured places with the National Youth Orchestra this year. We look forward to following your journey with them
