St Giles’ 900 Choirbook

The idea of a Choirbook is something which dates back to pre-Reformation times, and in reviving this idea The Friends of the Music of St Giles’ Cathedral have brought together the music of five specially commissioned Scottish composers to create a series of new works for choir and organ. The collection marks the celebration of the 900th anniversary of the founding of St Giles’ which falls in 2024.

The goal for this exciting project has been to enrich the choral heritage associated with St Giles’ as well as inspire the choral community much further afield. Four of the works have already been premiered and become part of the choir’s repertoire, and the final work, Jerusalem Jubilate, by James MacMillan will receive its first performance in June 2024.

A new recording is being made including the whole collection, which will be ready for release in August 2024.

The composers with the date of premiere performance are:

Kenneth Dempster All sons of Adam Premiere 18th December 2020
Savourna Stevenson Psalm 121 Premiere 13th June 2021
Tom Harrold Prayer (George Herbert) Premiere 12th June 2022
Helen Grime Missa brevis Premiere 28th October 2023
Sir James MacMillan Jerusalem Jubilate Premiere 8th June 2024