What’s the score?

RSNO Showcase Concert at the Usher Hall

Leading by example

We have been incredibly fortunate to welcome a selection of highly respected guest tutors to the School to lead masterclasses over the last few months. These sessions give our pupils the opportunity to spend time with leaders in the music industry, learning through both direct participation and observation. Pupils of all ages have taken part and benefited from expert coaching in technique and matters relating to performance.

Our pupils took to the main stage at the Usher Hall on 3 March, ahead of the RSNO’s concert that evening. From Messiaen to Rautavaara, Tchaikovsky to Schubert and Sorensen, this free event saw Carlo, Anias, Alexander, Paul, Michelle, Hester, Kirsty and our Senior String Quartet (India, Hester, Daisy and Beau) take the audience on a musical journey. A wonderful evening was had by all and a big thank you to the RSNO for this fantastic opportunity.

Seven Hills Project

The seventh and final instalment of St Mary’s Music School’s Seven Hills Project was premiered during the School’s annual Spring Concert on 29 March. The composition, entitled Castle Rock, was written by renowned composer, alumnus and Head of Graduate Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, David Horne. As for all the Seven Hills Project compositions, Castle Rock drew its inspiration from one of the Seven Hills of Edinburgh, The Castle Rock, and Alexander McCall Smith’s poem, The Castle Rock Dominates. The piece is scored for alto saxophone, accordion, horn and string quartet, and was performed by John, Olivia, Kirsty, Anias, India, Daisy and Beau. Head of Strings Dr Valerie Pearson explained: “There is a long history of St Mary’s Music School commissioning new music. We cherish our position here in Edinburgh and in Scotland and this was a way to try to celebrate our surroundings, social history and community, and to support new music.”

A Coronation Celebration

We marked the coronation of King Charles III with an evening of joyful music from St Mary’s Music School, performed in the beautiful setting of Rosslyn Chapel on the evening of Friday 5 May. Our Brass Ensemble, Senior and Junior String Ensembles and our Senior String Quartet entranced the audience with a stunning programme that included Thomas Weelkes’ Madrigal No. 1 and No. 2, Tilman Susato’s The Danserye, movements from Benjamin Britten’s A Simple Symphony and String Quartet No. 2, movements from Richard Bissil’s Horn Quartet, movements from Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite and Giles Farnby’s Fancies, Toyes and Dreams

In January, we welcomed renowned oboist Francois Leleux for an evening of music, well attended by over 70 guests, while March was jam-packed with musical luminaries! Saxophonist Andrew Somerville, violinist Gaby Lester, trumpeter (and former pupil) Aaron Akugbo, accordionist Miloš Milivojević, oboist (and former pupil) Katherine Bryer, singer Patricia MacMahon and trombonist Arlene Macfarlane all joined us to share their wisdom, expertise and joy of music making.

Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit

The geography topic last term for our primary class was the continent of Asia, and the pupils wanted to focus on Chinese New Year as seven of them celebrate this at home. The class created some wonderful artwork, which included a fantastic dragon (currently on display in the primary classroom). On the last day of Chinese New Year, parents were invited into the classroom to help celebrate by eating tasty dumplings, learning some Chinese numbers and enjoying a presentation on the Year of the Rabbit. As many of our P7 pupils were born in 2011, the Year of the Rabbit is an extra special celebration and the parents really enjoyed being part of that. The class also presented their project to the whole school during assembly.

This term, the primary class will continue with their 50th School Celebration project, where pupils are creating a timeline to be displayed in the School and finally at the Summer Concert. The pupils are enjoying learning about the School’s history and the key figures who have influenced its direction.