Places available to Oban musicians at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh
IF YOUR child loves to sing or plays a musical instrument exceptionally well, Scotland’s national music school would like to hear from you, writes Sandy Neil.
St Mary’s Music School is based in Edinburgh and takes pupils from all over Scotland and abroad. Entry to the school is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal financial circumstances.
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.
The school, housed in a historic building in Edinburgh’s West End, is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world- class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged nine-19 years in an ‘inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment’.
St Mary’s Music School is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh and is the only place in Scotland to offer a chorister education. It is co-educational, non-denominational and attracts day and boarding pupils from across Scotland and beyond. There are currently 80 pupils at the school; 48 are day pupils and 32 are boarders.
Every year some of the most brilliant musical talent in the country emerges from St Mary’s Music School, which numbers musicians of the stature of pianist Steven Osborne, conductor Garry Walker and cellist Philip Higham among its alumni.
While St Mary’s Music School runs an academic school year which accords with other schools, potential pupils are always welcome to apply and audition throughout the year.
This year there is a limited number of additional places available for boarding pupils.
Inviting musically gifted youngsters from west and central Scotland to an open day next week, headteacher Dr Kenneth Taylor, said: ‘St Mary’s Music School offers a world- class music and academic education in a close-knit community. Although the school is based in Edinburgh we are always keen to hear from musically gifted children throughout Scotland.
‘We know that there are many musically gifted children in the west of Scotland who may not even be aware of the school’s existence. We would be delighted to see them at our open day to see whether St Mary’s Music School is a place where they could flourish.’
Young musicians who are interested in a full-time specialist music education are invited, with their parents and teachers, to St Mary’s Music School’s Open Day on Saturday October 8 between 2.30pm and 5pm at Coates Hall, Grosvenor Crescent, in Edinburgh’s West End.
There will be music, guided tours of the school, including boarding facilities, and a chance to talk with staff and pupils to discover the advantages of combining a strong academic education with specialist music training.
Post-Higher students wishing to study music at university or music college are also welcome, to find out about the part-time music opportunities available to give them further experience or qualifications.