About the Pentland Junior Singers
The Choir
Formed in 1987, The Pentland Juniors exists to enable children to experience and develop their love of singing choral music in a vocally healthy and fun environment. As a trained singer and singing teacher, Sarah ensures that the young singers of the Pentland Juniors cultivate a healthy singing technique. They explore a range of styles throughout the year – from the more traditional choral repertoire, to folk, world songs, and songs from shows and films – in order to develop their ability to sing in unison, and 2 or 3 parts. During weekly rehearsals, the Pentland Juniors also work to develop their musicianship and sight-singing skills through Kodaly-based singing games and the learning of solfège notation.
Rebecca, our musical director, firmly believes that learning and enjoyment go hand-in-hand, especially where singing is concerned. So, whilst some hard work is involved, singing in the Pentland Juniors is also extremely fun and rewarding!
The Junior Singers meet at Balerno Parish Church every Tuesday evening between 6.00 and 7.00pm
There are three sessions a year the first is from September to December, the second is from January to Easter, with a break for mid-term. The third term is from Easter to June. In line with school holidays
The Pentland Junior Singers perform in the Christmas and Summer concerts of the Pentland Singers. They also take part in the Edinburgh Competition Festival and have won the Scots Song section twice ( 2017 and 2019) and the Choir of Mixed Ages (2019).
The Pentland Singers
The Pentland Junior Singers are supported by the Pentland Singers which is an adult community choir of mixed voices formed in 1984. The choir performs Christmas and Summer concerts in Balerno High School. They have hosted succesful Come and Sing events as part of the Balerno Music Festival and have performed in St Marys and St Giles Cathedrals, Edinburgh and the Swaledale Music Festival.
Musical Director
Ian Munro
Ian is the Musical Director of Pentland Singers and is the temporary Musical Director of Pentland Junior Singers.
Scottish musician Ian Munro holds music degrees from Edinburgh Napier University and Goldsmiths, University of London. He continues his studies privately with David Corkhill. As a percussionist Ian’s work encompasses a wide range of genres: symphonic, operatic, contemporary, chamber and musicals; with performances taking him all over Scotland, London and Europe. He has participated in many recording projects, is active as a recitalist and has been percussion soloist in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Gubaidulina’s Canticle of the Sunand Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani.Ian has held teaching posts at Edinburgh Napier University, Junior Napier Music, St. Columba’s School, Kilmalcom and St. Aloysius’ College, Glasgow. In 2013 Ian founded the Edinburgh Festival Ensemble and was appointed to the post of Organist and Choirmaster at St Luke’s Church of Scotland, Paisley. He is Musical Director of the Kilmarnock and District Choral Union, Pentland Singers and Traquair Choir. In 2020 Ian was appointed Organist and Choirmaster at St. Machar’s Ranfurly Church in Bridge of Weir (a position his grandfather had held for fifty years). Alongside organ playing responsibilities there, Ian also directs the Church’s Adult and Junior Choirs. Church music holds a special place in Ian’s heart, and he is currently the Royal School of Church Music’s Regional Manager for Scotland.Away from music Ian is learning Brazilian Portuguese.
Junior Choir Co-ordinator
Alison Marr
Alison undertakes all the administration to support Pentland Junior Singers and attends all the rehearsals.
Alison is a member of the Pentland Singers and represents the Pentland Junior Singers on the choir committee.
Alison is the child protection officer for the Pentland Junior Singers