Music is central to our life at St Ninian's Cathedral and we value our Anglican choral tradition. Our choir and organists serve our worship and the cathedral’s fine organ and piano, favourable acoustics, space and ambience attract other musicians.
The Cathedral Choir of St Ninian’s performs a wide range of traditional and contemporary Anglican liturgical repertoire. It supports the worship at the weekly Sunday Eucharist, monthly Choral Evensong, and various festal Masses and diocesan services. We also sing Matins and Evensong to Gregorian chant on most weekdays. Our choir was formed before the building of the Ctahedral in 1850 and we pioneered the use of Gregorian chant in Anglican services.
Rehearsals are currently: Thursdays 7.00–8.30pm and Sundays at 10am, and as required in preparation for special services and festivals.
We are currently appointing a new Director of Music. If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact the Provost, Fr Stephen Holmes, at Enable JavaScript to view protected content. or the cathedral office on 01738 632053.
The first organ was installed when the cathedral was built in 1850 and, according to the first precentor in 1901, was built by Robson of London. In the 1890s, when the centre nave and north aisle were completed, the organ was rebuilt by P. Connacher and Eustace Ingram and enlarged to a four-manual console. In 1904-5, John R. Miller, a Dundee organ builder completed further work. The organ, now situated in the south choir aisle, was completely rebuilt and restored by the late A.F.Edmonstone, Forteviot, in 1996. The detached console, in the north choir aisle, has four manuals and 67 draw stops.
The Cathedral also has a Viscount electronic organ with 3 manuals and a Yamaha C2 grand piano.
We value our partnerships with the Perth Festival of the Arts, Chansons Chamber Choir, Live Music Now Scotland and other national and local cultural organisiations. We also have long-standing musical partnerships with local schools such as Strathallan, Glenalmond, Ardvreck, and St Ninian's Primary School.
