About the Business

St Mary’s Music School is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years in an inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment. It is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. It is co-educational, non-denominational and attracts day and boarding pupils from across Scotland and beyond – England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Europe and internationally.

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. The school is funded by fees, private and trust donations and rental income generated by the school.

There are currently 80 pupils at the school of whom 48 are day students and 32 are boarders, together with one part-time student. In addition, the school runs a long-established programme of Saturday Music Classes for children aged 4-14 during term time, enabling some 150 local children to discover the wonders of music.

The choir school was opened in 1880 to educate the choristers for the newly built St Mary’s Cathedral. Links to the Cathedral remain strong and have evolved over the years so that the choir is open to girls as well as boys.

Business Services

School Information

School Information

St Mary's Music School is Scotland's specialist music school and the Choir School of St Mary's Cathedral. It is one of the UK's leading specialist music schools. The school provides a unique education for children with a special talent in music. It is co-educational, non-denominational, day and boarding, and caters for boys and girls aged 9 - 19. It draws pupils from many different backgrounds and from all parts of Scotland as well as elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Entry to the school is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal circumstances. Scottish Government funding, up to 100%, 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 choir school was opened in 1880 to educate choristers for the newly built St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. Nowadays the school has a much wider remit: not only have the ranks of the Cathedral Choir been opened to girls as well as boys, but since 1972 the school has also educated young instrumentalists, composers and singers.

St Mary's Music School is at the forefront of music education, offering the highest quality training as part of a broad and balanced education. The school enjoys a first-rate academic record and offers a rich variety of experience in a friendly and supportive environment, encouraging all pupils to build on their individual talents and develop the personal discipline and confidence required to fulfill their potential as thinking musicians and rounded members of society.

Our gifted pupils share a common love and enjoyment of music. St Mary's Music School aims to ensure that they are given every opportunity to flourish and emerge as excellent musicians capable of using the power of music to inspire and enrich their own lives and the lives of others.

Location & Hours

25 Grosvenor Crescent

Edinburgh, EH12 5EL
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