St Mary's Music School
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary & Secondary
PUPILS
63
AGES
9 - 19
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
State
SCHOOL GUIDE RATING
Not Rated

This is an independent school and its exam data is not collected by the Scottish government. View performance information by visiting the Scottish Council of Independent Schools.

How Does The School Perform?

Inspection Report
Independent Inspection
Report
Education Scotland
Coates Hall
25 Grosvenor Crescent
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh
EH12 5EL
01315387766

School Description

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 in Edinburgh. It is a co-educational, non-denominational, day and boarding school, with pupils coming from diverse backgrounds and from all parts Scotland, the rest of the UK and beyond. Pupils are supported by the Scottish Government’s Aided Places scheme and by School and Cathedral bursaries. Entry is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal financial circumstances.

News, Photos and Open Days from St Mary's Music School
Last update: 22 February 2024
ST MARY'S MUSIC SCHOOL: NEW VOCAL PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

The new Vocal Department at St Mary’s Music School is the only one of its kind in Scotland and the North of England. Singing is an intrinsic part of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and therefore makes the perfect home for young singers from the UK and abroad to help ensure that they can grow and flourish. There are two vocal programmes at the School which focus on age-appropriate vocal development: The Changing Voices Programme and the Senior Vocal Programme. All singers are encouraged to perform regularly and can do so at lunchtime concerts in School as well as in performance opportunities at the many major concert events held by St Mary’s Music School throughout the year. Pupils have access to masterclasses with industry leaders and are supported to attend external opportunities such as the National Youth Choir of Scotland and the Scottish Opera Young Company.

Changing Voices Programme

Aimed at aspiring young singers, the Changing Voices Programme has vocal health and confidence-building at its heart. With a focus on classical vocal technique, singers are nurtured and supported to maintain confidence in their vocal ability through specialist classes and teaching on how to use their new voices. As first study singers, they are encouraged to work as soloists by exploring text, emotional expression and all areas of vocal performance. Each pupil will receive one-to-one lessons each week with a teacher who specialises in this period of vocal development as well as performance classes, coaching, language classes and ensemble music-making activities such as School Choir, Changing Voices Choir and Chamber Music. Pupils on the Changing Voices Programme are given an increased amount of contact time on their second studies to allow them flexibility within their education as their voice develops. This will allow them more choice as they progress through the School.

Senior Vocal Programme

The Senior Vocal Programme provides young singers with all the skills they need to succeed at conservatoire and beyond. During the course of their study, they learn how to use both their body and instrument as a means of communicating text and music, strengthen confidence in their vocal ability and learn team-working skills which will prove invaluable throughout their lives. First-study singers can expect weekly singing lessons where they focus on a wide range of repertoire and on honing their classical vocal technique; weekly coaching with a vocal specialist; performances classes; language classes (Italian, German and French); acting, movement and stagecraft, as well as involvement in ensemble music-making activities such as School Choir, Chamber Choir and Vocal Scenes.

Admissions are now open for September entry, for more information visit the school website: www.stmarysmusicschool.co.uk/vocalprogramme

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St Mary's Music School Catchment Area Map

This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.