Edinburgh • 24-25 Apr 2027

Sing The Breath of Life in Edinburgh's St Giles Cathedral

An unmissable choral experience! Perform in the Scottish premiere of Matthew Coleridge's vibrant new cantata, The Breath of Life, in the historic St Giles' Cathedral on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

We'll rehearse on Saturday in the stunning Sacred Heart Church, near the Old Town's famous Grassmarket. On Sunday we'll move to St Giles Cathedral for an afternoon rehearsal, before performing to an audience of 200 at a 'St Giles at Six' concert.

We'll also be joined by young composer Fraser David Macdonald, who will lead us in the world premiere performance of his new work, The Òran Mór, with text by Stephanie Green.

You'll have plenty of time for exploring one of Europe's most beautiful cities, and we'll be based within easy reach of attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Click here to buy tickets
Sell tickets online with Ticket Tailor

 Matthew Coleridge is a great force for good in the choral world 
Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM

Details and timings

Schedule

  • Saturday 24th April 2027

    10:00 - 17:30 rehearsals at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Place

    One of Edinburgh's most beautiful churches, Sacred Heart is a perfect rehearsal venue - warm, confortable, centrally located, and with a glorious acoustic!

  • Sunday 25th April

    14:00 - 19:00 rehearsals and concert in St Giles Cathedral

    One of the UK's most famous and historic churches, St Giles sits at the heart of the Royal Mile. Following an afternoon rehearsal we'll perform a formal concert as part of the famous "St Giles at Six" concert series.

FAQs

WHAT WILL WE BE SINGING?

Repertoire will include Matthew Coleridge's The Breath of Life (in its entirety), and the world premiere of a brand new work by Fraser David Macdonald, commissioned for the occasion. We'll be joined by St Giles' organist, a student string ensemble, and the choral scholars of Sacred Heart Church.

CAN ANYONE COME AND SING?

This event is for experienced choral singers. You don't need to be a strong sight-reader, but will be expected to familiarise yourself with the music beforehand. Home rehearsals tracks can be provided. With limited rehearsal time, we plan to spend our rehearsals polishing, not note-bashing!

HOW MANY SINGERS WILL THERE BE?

We expect around 70 singers, from all over the UK - and a few locals too! We will ensure there is a good balance between voice parts (no, you definitely won't be the only tenor!).

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

You will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation and travel.

CAN NON-SINGING PARTNERS ATTEND?

Yes! They're very welcome to sit in on our rehearsals on Saturday, and admission for the Sunday concert is by donation.

WILL I HAVE TIME TO SIGHT-SEE?

Yes. You'll have Saturday evening at leisure (or in the pub with Matthew and Fraser), and on Sunday you don't need to be at St Giles until after lunch.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

Refunds will only be offered in the unlikely event that the organisers need to cancel the event. If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your place to another singer, but monetary refunds are not possible. You can choose to add refund protection when you make your booking.
MUSICIANS
Matthew Coleridge

Matthew Coleridge is one of the most exciting new voices in UK choral music. His music is widely performed around the world, with recent highlights including concert performances at Uppsala Cathedral (Sweden), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), Wells Cathedral (England), St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bergen Cathedral (Norway).

He is in increasing demand as a guest-conductor of his own music, helping to bring the absolute best out of singers with his relaxed and good-humoured approach to music making.

In 2027 he will make his US conducting debut at Carnegie Hall, New York.

Fraser David Macdonald

Fraser David Macdonald is an emerging Scottish conductor and composer. He graduated from the Reid School of Music in 2023, and achieved a Masters in Composition with Distinction at the University of Edinburgh.

Fraser is the director of music of the Chapter House Singers, based in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, and he is the assistant director of the Schola Cantorum at the Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh.

His compositions explore history and storytelling, and are set for choir and instrumental ensembles. Fraser's setting of 'Lully Lullah Lullay' is dedicated with gracious permission to King Harald V of Norway, and most recently his arrangement of 'Wild Mountain Thyme' was performed in the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament in St Giles' Cathedral in May this year.

Mailing list
Choral workshops 2026

Come and sing with one of the UK's most exciting choral composers, Matthew Coleridge

 A great force for good in the choral world  - Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM

shrewsbury

Walton Voices & Leatherhead Choral
Saturday 19th September 2026

Come and Sing The Breath of Life, hosted by Walton Voices and Leatherhead Choral Society



shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Abbey
Saturday 26th September 2026

Sing The Breath of Life with massed Shropshire choirs, hosted by Shrewsbury Choral Society



bradford

Bradford
Saturday 10th October 2026

Requiem in a Day in beautiful Shipley, hosted by local chamber choir Bradford Chorale



paris

Paris
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th October 2026

Requiem weekend in Paris - come and sing Requiem at beautiful The American Cathedral in the City of Light



wells

Wells Bishop's Palace
Sunday 28th February 2027

A cappella singing day with Matthew Coleridge and Francis Faux in the medieval chapel at Wells Bishop's Palace



bruges

Bruges & Ghent
Weds 7th - Sat 10th April 2027

Requiem mini-break, performing at Bruges Cathedral and St Nicholas Church Ghent



edinburgh

Edinburgh
Sat 24th - Sun 25th April 2027

The Breath of Life weekend at St Giles Cathedral on Edinburgh's Royal Mile



coutances

Normandy
Fri 20th - Mon 23rd August 2027

Requiem weekend at Coutances Cathedral



new york

New York
Fri 19th - Sun 21st November 2027

Sing Requiem in New York's Carnegie Hall