St Mary's Music School pupils to perform a "Rush Hour" Concert in Edinburgh

There is a musical treat in store for residents and visitors to the Capital next Tuesday (19 January) when pupils from St Mary’s Music School perform a “Rush Hour” Chamber Music Concert. 

The concert is an annual event for the talented young musicians – Scotland’s musical stars of the future – and takes place at 6 pm at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, George Street, Edinburgh.  Even better, entry to the concert is free. 

Seventeen pupils will take part in the concert where works by Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Smetana, Martinu and Malcolm Arnold will be featured. 

St Mary’s Music School is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years in an inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment. It is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.  It is co-educational, non-denominational and attracts day and boarding pupils from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. 

Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher at St Mary’s Music School, said:

“We extend a warm welcome to everyone who would like to come and hear pupils from St Mary’s Music School play a varied and exciting programme of chamber music. This is an annual concert and support for our talented young musicians is much appreciated.”  

Entry to the school is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal financial circumstances.  There are currently 83 pupils and demand for places is high. 

The school is at capacity in its existing premises at Coates Hall in Grosvenor Crescent in Edinburgh’s West End. The Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) has submitted an application for plans to move St Mary’s Music School into the former Royal High School building in Edinburgh. In producing designs for the conservation and restoration of the iconic Thomas Hamilton building on Calton Hill, the architect Richard Murphy has worked in close consultation with the school. 

Dr Taylor commented:

“The proposal presents an exciting and wonderful opportunity to develop further our unique position as Scotland’s only independent specialist music school. It would provide the school with the performance and rehearsal space we aspire to and enable us to broaden and extend the outreach activities we currently offer to the wider community. The new site will allow for future expansion and its high profile location will make the school more visible in Scotland, the UK and internationally.”

Photograph Caption: St Mary’s Music School Wind Quintet who are one set of the talented young musicians performing at the “Rush Hour” concert.  From left to right, Max Carsley S4, Leo Kerr S3, Naima Heath S4, Douglas McDonald S5 and Robyn Blair S6 Extension. 

Notes to editors:

• St Mary’s Music School is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world class standard of musical and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years.  It is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, educating the choristers of the Cathedral.
• The school is co-educational, non-denominational and has day and boarding pupils from across Scotland and beyond.
• Scottish Government funding, up to 100 per cent, is available through the Aided Places Scheme to assist with the cost of tuition and boarding fees.  Cathedral and School Bursaries are also available.
• There are currently 83 pupils and demand for places is high.
• Alumni include the international artists, pianist Steven Osborne, conductor Garry Walker, composers Helen Grime and David Horne and well-known comedian and television presenter Alexander Armstrong.
• St Mary’s Music School promotes engagement with the wider community and extends in-depth learning in music to children from other schools as part of an outreach programme.
• The School aims to contribute to the cultural life of Scotland and internationally.

For further information please contact Felicity MacFarlane at Indigo on 0131 554 1230 or felicity@indigopr.com

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