Music Day for parish musicians & singers

Come and join us on Saturday (27 January) for a day filled with joyful singing and melodious tunes at The Gillis Centre.

Our Music Day takes place at 10:30am and concludes with a music-filled Mass at 2:00pm.

The day is completely free. Register here.

Your expert guides for the event are:

  • Michael Ferguson, Director of Music at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.
  • James Greechan, Choral Director for the Diocese of Motherwell.

Michael said: "The annual Music Day is a unique opportunity for those involved in parish music-making across the Archdiocese to come together to share their experiences, to learn new music, and to deepen their knowledge and skills.

"It's also open to those who are simply interested in finding out more about church music. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience!"

If you play an instrument you can bring it along (eg acoustic guitar, woodwind, strings).

There is free limited parking onsite. Light lunch provided (sandwiches and fruit (veg options for sandwiches available). Please bring packed lunch if you have food allergies/intolerancies). Sign-in from 10:00am on the day.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Music Day, Saturday 27 January 10:30am at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Free event. Register here. Event organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catechetics.

EVENT: Archdiocesan Music Day Sat 22 Oct!

Join fellow musicians and singers from across the Archdiocese for our Music Day on Saturday 22 October.

It's for anyone interested or involved in music in the liturgy and it will help inspire a fresh outlook on liturgical music making for your parish. Register here. 

There will be workshops on choir singing & organ/keyboard, sessions on planning music in your parish and a panel where you can ask your questions of the experts.

The day will end with rehearsals to play for Holy Mass at 3pm in St Margaret's Chapel (onsite), celebrated by Fr Jamie McMorrin.

The Music Day is led by:

We hope to encourage a wider culture of musicians in the Archdiocese to play and sing wonderful music that lifts the liturgy.

You don't have to be an expert to take part - even if you just enjoy singing from the pews you are warmly welcome!

Light lunch provided. Free parking onsite. Check-in from 10am on the day. Bring your instrument or arrive in good voice! Day organised by the Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Register here.

Mina's medal for music services to Church

A dedicated parishioner who has contributed music to Mass in Edinburgh for decades has been awarded the Archdiocesan medal.

Mina Brown, a parishioner at St Andrew's in Ravelston, was presented with the award by Archbishop Cushley at the 10:30am Mass, attended by family and friends.

Inspired by a music teacher while a pupil at Holycross Academy, Mina started playing the piano and organ in her early teens.

Her dad was a passkeeper at St Andrew's so it was not long before she began playing music at various church services.

Teaching

Mina went on to become a music teacher in primary schools – mainly the Catholic primaries of St Joseph's in Broomhouse and Holycross at Trinity.

With her musical ability and generous personality, she was in great demand in St Joseph’s, St Andrew's and St Margaret’s in Davidson's Mains, for Sunday Mass, weddings, and special occasions.

She arranged and conducted choirs in schools and churches across the city and was passionate about music and the joy it brings.

For those who know her, a summary of Mina’s contribution to the church would be incomplete without mention of her late husband, Ronnie Brown, who was also active in the Catholic church, especially latterly in St Andrew's.

Ronnie died in 2013 and he is remembered particularly for a beautiful watercolour of the church, which he drew as part of the parish’s centenary celebrations in 2001.

Retirement

Mina retired as organist in her mid-eighties in 2019 to spend more time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In total, Mina has provided music services to Catholic schools and churches in Edinburgh for around 70 years. Thank you, Mina!

The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, then Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

Since then, just over 100 or so medals have been awarded for “outstanding voluntary service” to the Church at a local level.

Listen: Schola Cantorum's debut album now online!

The impressive debut album from the Schola Cantorum of St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh is now available to listen to online.

'With Angels and Archangels' can be streamed on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify after a CD release last year proved popular.

 

Michael Ferguson, Director of Music at the Cathedral, said: "The music was was recorded by our young and versatile quartet and is inspired by 800 years of sacred music and two millenia of Catholic worship.
"The celebration of Mass is at the very centre of our musical and spiritual life at the Cathedral so it's no coincidence that all the works on the album have at one moment or another formed part of the sounsdscape of our liturgies."
Rory Lamb, a member of the Schola Cantorum, said: "The album gives a chance to showcase a whole breadth of Catholic music and to show what the church has produced and is still producing and singing today."
Listen to the album at https://linktr.ee/stmarysmusic

This Saturday: come to our music day!

How important is music to Mass?

"It's a really a crucial aspect of the liturgy," says Michael Ferguson, Director of Music at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh. "It add to the holiness of Mass and the majesty of the liturgy."

That's why he's joining James Greechan, Director of Music at St Patrick's, Kilsyth, to host this special free event. It's for anyone who contributes (or wants to contribute) music to Mass, either by singing, leading a choir or playing an instrument.


James, a student of music, said: "It's a gorgeous way of praying, to help our fellow parishioners to grow in holiness through the music that we play. It's great joy to do as well.

"This day is to give them the sense that they are not alone, that there's help and that great things can be achieved in a parish.

Michael added: "The day is open to everybody, whether or not you're actively involved in music.

Both men will be giving advice on how to improve your music offering while you can share your own tips on what works in your parish. Book your place now at eventbrite by clicking here.

Living Church Music, 10:30am - 3:00pm, Saturday 14 September, Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.