Our Music

Music is an essential part of our services of High Mass and Evensong & Benediction. The church's musical tradition is maintained by one of the best choirs in the city, directed by Elsie Orr. The organist is Philip Sawyer.

Every Sunday morning the choir sing the Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei from a mass setting as well as an anthem during communion. Our wide repertoire includes mass settings by Byrd, Palestrina, Haydn, Mozart, Leighton, MacMillan and recent commissions.

The music is an integral part of the liturgy, allowing time for personal reflection and prayer.

Edinburgh Festival

During the Edinburgh International Festival, more elaborate mass settings are sung, often involving a small orchestra as well, but still forming part of the liturgy, as originally intended by the composers.

Joining our Choir

If you can read music, have some singing experience and are interested in joining the choir, please see Elsie Orr after one of the services or email at elsieorr79@hotmail.com We also have a Facebook page.

Our Organist

Philip Sawyer is an experienced church organist and recitalist. Each Sunday he gives us the opportunity to hear organ music in the context for which it was written and, as far as possible, in the correct liturgical season.



"(The mass) supplied... a sweet warmth of tone in keeping with the atmosphere of St Michael and All Saints, one of Edinburgh's most attractive churches, where not only the resident choir but an adequate band of instrumentalists were assembled for the occasion." ***
- Review of Haydn's Heiligmesse, sung during the 2009 Festival
Conrad Wilson, Herald Scotland.