WHO WE ARE:

The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral is unique in Scotland in maintaining daily choral services in the Anglican tradition, and enjoys an international reputation of the Scotland’s greatest cultural treasures.

As young children, the choristers dedicate themselves to an extremely full performance commitment. Each morning the choristers rehearse at 8.25 am for an hour before going to school. They then return in the evening for rehearsal at 4.55 pm alongside the lay clerks before singing an hour’s evensong service at 5.30 pm; plus two full services every Sunday, during Christmas and Easter Holidays, and a full Festival repertoire during their summer break. Their stamina and extraordinary hard work and commitment is what makes St Mary’s choir one of the best in the world and deserving of your support.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO: TO LISTEN AND WATCH CLICK HERE

Every couple of years the choristers get a chance to take a break from their routine and tour internationally. In April 2018 the young choristers will perform in:

S. Peter and S. Paul Basilica, Prague

S. Nicholas Church, Prague

S. Stephen’s ,Vienna (Mass and concert)

San Franciscan Church, Bratislava

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP: The cost of the tour is entirely covered by parental contributions and fundraising, as it is additional to their already full rigorous schedule. The choristers themselves are selected on the basis of talent only, coming from a diverse range of backgrounds, with many receiving financial support for school costs on the basis of low household income. As parents, we raise funds for the whole choir to enable all children to access the touring opportunity equally and fairly. These tours are extraordinary opportunities for the young choristers to experience a different culture through educational and cultural exchange, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them, deepening their knowledge of other cultures and strengthening international relationships.

Leaving the familiar behind and plunging into the unknown shows a commitment to understanding other people and cultures; and a commitment to learning about the world in a way that books  and school assignments can never reveal. Positive cultural exchange is more important in today’s fragmented world than ever. Previous choir tours have included France, Hungary, Norway, and several trips to the USA and Canada. In 2011 the choir was invited to sing at the Taipei International Choral Festival and by the Little Singers of Tokyo at their sixtieth anniversary concert in Suntory Hall. In summer 2015, the choir toured Germany, performing to sell-out audiences.

We therefore depend on charitable donations, individual giving and seasonal activities to meet the costs.

The total cost of this year’s tour, and our target for funding, is £25,000. We hope to have raised necessary funds by the end of January 2018.

We aim to fundraise through:

1. Individual Giving / Philanthropy: £10K

2. Trusts and Foundations: £10K

3. Earned Income through events, stalls and lots of cake..£5K

The choir brings so much joy to so many throughout the year, we hope you will consider supporting this special effort.

THANK YOU - ON BEHALF OF THE CHORISTER PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Scottish Charity No: SCO14741

(and there must always be cake…)