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
Rebecca Pennykid
Rebecca Pennykid is a Scottish mezzo-soprano and teacher. She is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she studied under the tutelage of Margaret Izatt, and gained her undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Music with Honours of the First Class and an Endorsement in Music Education with Distinction. Rebecca is passionate about music education and is currently completing Initial Teacher Education, at the University of Glasgow, to become a primary school teacher.
As an active musician, Rebecca regularly appears as a soloist across Scotland. She is the Musical Director of the Pentland Junior Singers, where she leads musicianship training and choral singing for children. With a developed understanding of the Kodály methodology and significant experience in teaching this, she has worked alongside the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) to deliver training to children and tutors several students. Rebecca recently achieved British Kodály Academy Certification - Level 7 with distinction.
Rebecca regularly sings with NYCOS, where she started her own musical training, in West Lothian Regional Choir, aged seven. With NYCOS she has performed worldwide including in New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall and Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
Rebecca is a keen piano player, especially enjoying accompanying choirs and playing for churches. She actively promotes and facilitates inclusion, and has experience working with children with additional support needs.
At the heart of Rebecca’s practice as a music educator is an enthusiasm for inclusive and enjoyable music education, which engages and encourages all children
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