Music

Choral Scholarships & Schola Cantorum

The Schola Cantorum, comprising eight choral scholars, sings at the 10.30am Mass most Sundays during university terms and on some major feast days. We sing a wide variety of liturgical music from Plainsong through the Renaissance, to the Baroque, 19th and 20th century repertoire, and contemporary music. The choral scholarships were launched in October 2022 and are funded by a generous bequest. They are open to students age 16+ and including those in postgraduate studies. Auditions are held in late September.

Voluntary Choir

This choir is made up of volunteers who want to contribute to the music of the liturgy. We sing at the Sunday 10.30am Mass around once a month and at Christmas and Easter. Everyone is welcome, whatever their ability and confidence. The voluntary choir is supported by the choral scholars. We usually have two rehearsals, on Thursday evenings at 7.00-8.30pm, before each Mass at which we sing. The commitment is just to the Mass and its two rehearsals each time; we do not expect an ongoing commitment although many participants return regularly to sing with the voluntary choir.

Music Ministry at Seven

Music for the Sunday 7pm Mass is provided by a group of volunteer singers and instrumentalists. We sing a wide variety of music from the more traditional to the contemporary. New members of the music group are always welcome. Practices are held in the half-hour before Mass.

Organ

We are fortunate to have an excellent pipe organ (Harrison and Harrison 1971/2018 II/23). The instrument is used for the liturgy and for occasional recitals. There is a programme of liturgical organ music before and after the Sunday 10.30am Mass. The instrument is in constant demand for teaching and practice. Visiting organists are welcome. More information here.

Edinburgh University Chamber Choir

We are delighted to welcome Edinburgh University Chamber Choir in 2022-23 to make the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart its base for rehearsals and concerts. The choir is directed by Michael Bawtree. More information (Facebook).

EUCC sings Macmillan Who shall separate us? (November 2022)
EUCC sings Byrd Civitas sancti tui (November 2022)

Concerts & Recitals

We welcome local and visiting choirs and performers to participate in our programme of occasional concerts and recitals. Among others, in 2023 Edinburgh University Singers, Edinburgh University Chamber Choir, Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers, Knabenchor Bremen, Johanneskammarchor Malmö, Canty, the Chapterhouse Singers, and St Aloysius College Glasgow all performed at Edinburgh Jesuit Church. Please email with enquiries.

This page was updated on 19 December 2023

Sacred Music

We have sacred music at two of our Sunday liturgies. Our Choral Scholars (the Schola Cantorum) sing at the Sunday 10.30am Mass, together with congregational singing and music from the organ repertoire. A list of music to be sung and played at the 10.30am Mass is published each week. At the Sunday 7pm Mass we have congregational singing led by a small music ministry group. The Voluntary Choir, usually supported by the Schola Cantorum, sings at Christmas and Easter and several other times during the year. Our choir director is Kim Edgar.