Church Music

The Choir

The choir sings at the main Kirk Sunday services. We also sing for the occasional special service or wedding. The choir sing introits, anthems and communion motets, as well as leading the congregation in the hymn singing. The choir rehearse on Sunday mornings and on a Thursday evening approximately once a month

How to Join

Interested? Then come along to our Sunday service and talk to our Choirmaster or email Caroline at organist@greyfriarskirk.com.

No audition is required to join the choir, but a voice test can be arranged if you wish. Some sight reading ability is an advantage, though not essential. A reasonable ear and the ability to sing in tune are both important. 

Joining the choir normally involves a pre-arranged trail Sunday (after your initial contact) when you can join in with the choir, and see how well you get on. You will also have a chance to talk to current members. 

The Organ 

The Peter Collins organ was built in 1990, with the then Organist of Greyfriars Kirk, Michael Chibbett, acting as adviser. The organ is primarily a new instrument but incorporates some pipework from the previous Hamilton organ in Greyfriars, and some ranks from other organs. The organ is a blend of German Baroque, French Classical and British organs, with a main structure that is unmistakably German, most evident in the shape of the beautifully decorated case. The Werkprinzip design has 8ft Hauptwerk (Great) high up in the centre, 4ft Rückpositiv (Positive) at the front of the gallery, and 16ft Pedal towers on either side. The third manual doubles as a Brustwerk, speaking forwards through the ornate grills below the Great, and a complete Swell department, speaking out of the back of the organ case through large Swell shutters. The organ is influenced by the French school, with fully developed Cornets and mutations on all three manual departments, French style reeds on the Swell, and an unusual Gross Tierce. There is also Spanish influence, seen in the striking horizontal trumpets. British characteristics include the Swell strings, some of the flutes, and the gentle 8ft Diapason sound. The organ has mechanical action to the keyboards and pedals, and electric stop action. It has a total of 50 speaking ranks and is tuned to a mildly unequal temperament (Neidhardt 18th Century).

It is now the largest original working Peter Collins organ in the world.