We welcome applications from instrumentalists, composers and singers from Scotland, the wider UK and abroad.
St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh is one of five specialist music schools in the UK recognised as providing the finest training for young musicians from around the world The School provides music and academic education to talented children aged 9 to 19 and also educates the choristers of the internationally recognised Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral
Pupils can join the School at any time from Primary 5 (age 9-10) through to Senior 6 (age 17-18).
Year group equivalences and recommended entry points can be found at on page 5.
Boarding and Day Places
Boarding and day places are available. Day places are open to applicants from Primary 5 (age 8/9) and above. Boarding places are open to applicants in S1 (age 11/12) and above.
CRITERIA FOR ENTRY Instrumentalists and Composers
Pupils are selected through an audition process. We accept applications to study any instrument, as well as for voice* and composition.
The Audition Panel are looking for potential, passion, dedication, talent and musicality and, above all, are looking to see if you have the required abilities to access the specialist music education on offer at St Mary’s Music School. Candidates must be of a standard that they can join in with choirs, ensembles, academic music and orchestras.
If you wish to apply, you should propose two instruments or specialisms for your first and second studies. We accept applications from those who only have one instrument, however, if that is the case, once you are at school, a second study will be identified in consultation with you, the Director of Music and your parents/guardians.
For those interested in singing, there are two possible routes into the school, either as a 9 year old day pupil (chorister pathway) or as an instrumentalist (day or boarding) aged typically 13 and above. If you are interested in the chorister pathway, please be in touch with our admissions team.
*Since young voices change and develop with age, we generally only consider Voice as an instrumental first study from applicants aged 13 and above.
Steps to Apply
Stage 1 – Application Enquiry(digital)
All applicants must provide a video recording of a performance of one piece on each instrument that is studied. This piece should be chosen by you and your teacher and represent your best work.
Once ready, please submit via the Stage 1 Enquiry Form on an unlisted YouTube channel. Please ensure that pieces recorded are of performance standard – practice recordings will not be considered. For applicants looking to study Composition, please contact the Admissions Team for application criteria.
Our Headteacher and Director of Music will provide their advice as to the best step(s) for you, including whether they would recommend you progressing to the audition process You will be advised whether you have been recommended for the audition process within 10 days of submission of recordings.
Stage 2 – Advisory Audition(preferably in-person)
Once it has been recommended you audition for a place the School, you will be invited to submit the full application forms which will be sent to you following the successful enquiry stage. You will be invited to arrange an Advisory Audition. You may choose between a Digital Advisory Audition, or an In-Person Advisory Audition Ideally, we prefer to meet all candidates, however we are aware that some candidates may not be able to attend in-person at this stage. Advisory Auditions are run by the Director of Music and the Headteacher.
For an Advisory Audition, we would ask you to prepare two short contrasting pieces on their first study instrument, and if you have a second instrument, then a piece on that as well. You are welcome to provide any further recordings/information that demonstrates your musical ability, whether it be a third instrument, a composition, etc. There will be an interview and some simple aural tests. Feedback will be in-person with both the you and your parents or guardians present.
You will be advised during the advisory audition if the Panel feel that a full audition would be appropriate.
Stage 3 – Full Audition(in-person)
This is the full audition stage, where a panel will be present including the Headteacher, the Director of Music, the Artistic Advisor and a Faculty Specialist. You will perform two contrasting pieces on your first study and one on your second. Part of the audition will be working with a School accompanist There will be a short interview with the panel The panel will meet following the audition day and you will be informed in writing of the result within one week of your audition.
Stage 4 – Two Day Stay(in-person)
A specialist music education is not for everyone, and therefore Stage 4 of the audition process is a two-way process. If you have been successful at Full Audition, you will be invited in for two days to take part in everyday life at the school. During this time you will receive two assessed lessons on your first study, an assessed lesson on your second instrument and teachers’ reports on academic lessons are considered. As well as participating in some academic lessons, you are also likely to be invited to take part in music activities such as ensembles and choirs. You will be informed in writing whether a place is to be offered as soon as all lesson feedback has been considered. We aim for this to be within two working days following a Two Day Stay.
SCHOOL FEES
We are very fortunate to have the support of the Scottish Government who provide means-tested funding via the Aided Places Scheme (Scotland) to the majority of UKresident applicants. For those who are not eligible for the Aided Places Scheme, and for International applicants, limited scholarships may be available.
Further information on the Aided Places Scheme and fee levels can be found on our website. You are also welcome to speak to the School’s Bursar to discuss your particular circumstances.
The S6 extension year is an additional year specific to St Mary’s Music School in which pupils have an opportunity to gain further musical training as well as any additional academic qualifications they may wish to engage in. This year is optional unless you are joining for our Programme for Advanced Study in Music in S6.
Point of entry: During the audition process we will discuss with you which year of entry is most appropriate based on your age and stage.
GENERAL FAQ’S
What are the first steps towards an audition?
Get in touch by emailing admissions@smms.uk. Our Admissions Team are happy to arrange for a phone call or Zoom chat to tell you a bit more about the school and the audition process.
During the audition process, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions along the way and to meet staff and pupils
We also hold Open Days throughout the year for further opportunities to find out more about a specialist music education.
What instruments do you accept?
Pupils can study the full range of orchestral instruments along with voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, harp, accordion, recorder, bagpipes and composition. We are happy to accept applications for any instrument. Traditional and Jazz musicians are warmly welcomed.
Can I add a third study?
As you go through school you may wish to add a third study. This would be decided through discussion with you, the Director of Music and your instrumental teachers.
I have studied Rock and Pop - can I still apply?
Applications from Rock and Pop students are warmly welcomed In reality, however, onlycandidates who demonstrate a firm knowledge of traditional music notation (and of music theory in general), and who have brought a second instrumentup to a good standard-which may include singing or composition -are likely to have their applications progressed. Drummers are required to play another instrument to a good standard.
What if I’m not successful at an Audition, can I apply again?
We will always provide you with feedback at any stage of the process and give you advice on what you should do next. Where appropriate we will recommend that you reapply for the following year.
FEES AND FINANCE FAQ’s
Is there an application fee?
There is no fee for an Advisory Audition. We charge a fee of £75 for a formal Audition.
What funding assistance is available?
Over 90% of our pupils receive some kind of means-tested financial support through the Scottish Government's Aided Places Scheme, designed to ensure that any pupil with exceptional talent can receive a specialist education regardless of their financial means. Eligibility is based on length of residence in the UK.
Fees are calculated based on affordability and family income and you can find details of the fees and financial support here: Fees and Funding.
ACADEMIC CURRICULUM FAQ’s
What academic exams will I study?
Pupils at St Mary’s Music School take SQA National Qualifications at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, along with AQA A-level Music.
With small classes and a high staff to pupil ratio, pupils can achieve the best of results in both their music and academic studies. Our examination results are consistently high. The great majority of our pupils go on to study at Conservatoires and Universities.
How big are class sizes?
Classes can range from 3 to 15 pupils.
What are the academic results like?
Our examination results are consistently amongst the highest in the UK. Most of our pupils progress to Conservatoires and Universities. Pupils are regularly accepted at Oxford and Cambridge Universities every year. Although most pupils go on to study music, our academic curriculum and results prepare students for a range of disciplines.
Does the School cater for SEN and ASC?
We are an equal opportunities School and are committed to providing the best Specialist musical training for all exceptionally talented young musicians and aim to cater accordingly.
