Music and Meetings Venue
Whilst church services take priority – we are a growing congregation – it is pleasing that St Vincent’s is one of central Edinburgh’s smaller but highly prized venues for a wide range of meetings – learned societies, community council, book launches, bible studies and many more – and for music making.
The Refectory (at the back of the church) has 35 folding chairs, whilst the Church seats about 125 in the fixed pews, and in the gallery another 30.
Your options are:
- Practise, teach or rehearse in the nave of church (includes use of Weinbach grand piano): £15 per hour
2. Practise, teach or rehearse in the refectory (includes use of Blüthner upright piano): £10 per hour
3. Concerts and events in the nave of church with use of refectory and kitchen (includes use of Weinbach grand piano): £25 per hour
4. Concerts and events in the nave of church without use of refectory and kitchen (but includes use of Weinbach grand piano): £15 per hour
5. Practise, teach, rehearse and concerts in the undercroft: £15 per hour
Enquiries to the Property Convener: The Hon Barnaby Miln, PropertyConvener@stvincentschapel.org.uk
The hire of St Vincent’s is subject to the acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. These must be read and accepted before we can confirm a booking.
http://www.stvincentschapel.org.uk/terms-conditions-of-hire-of-st-vincents/
LEARN:
Both church area and refectory are in regular use for music practice by individuals and groups. Sometimes we agree a monthly fee to come and go whenever the Refectory is not otherwise in use, sometimes we charge by the session.
Some of our visiting musicians offer lessons. Prospective pupils and indeed music teachers are invited to enquire.
Our 7′ Petrof Weinbach grand piano purchased new 2016.
Our mellow Blüthner upright piano in the Refectory.
Our Director of Music since May 2015 is Les Shankland. He gives organ, piano and basic music lessons.
Our Composer in Residence since March 2016 is Dr Harry Whalley. Harry is also Reader in Sound and Music at the University for the Creative Arts.
REHEARSE, RECORD & PERFORM:
Concerts, both classical and folk, take place regularly in St Vincent’s. There’s seating in the pews for about 125.
The highly regarded The Edinburgh Quartet have made St Vincent’s their year-round rehearsal home since November 2015. The Dunedin Consort and Hebrides Ensemble have rehearsed in St Vincent’s over several days. The Gildas Quartet with Pete Furniss, clarinet, have performed Harry Whalley’s A Report To History at the first Composer in Residence concert on 22nd October 2016. The Artisan Trio performed Harry Whalley’s Pivot and Loop (2017) and Forever and Shall Be (2014) at the second Composer in Residence concert on 13th May 2017. The brilliant young pianist Svetoslav Todorov gave the first performance of Harry’s Leighton Contrasts on 21st February 2018. The Hans Gál Society rehearsed the opera Song of the Night over two weeks in May and June 2017 for its first UK performance. Marc Corbett-Weaver gives an annual piano recital, usually on the first day of the Fringe in August.
Folk groups rehearse and indeed record in the Refectory.
We were delighted that an EP recorded in the summer of 2015 in the Refectory by Darragh Quinn was launched at a highly successful concert at St Vincent’s in November 2015. This is available from https://lostarchitect.bandcamp.com
In May 2016 we were also delighted to learn of the release of Robbie Greig’s album, largely recorded in St Vincent’s in December 2015. This is available from https://robbiegreigandfriends.bandcamp.com
Lizabett Russo’s album The Burning Mountain was launched with a concert on 10th December 2016. Kate and Raphael’s launch on 17th June 2017.
Rachel Walker’s band Dowally recorded at track called St Vincent’s on their album in the summer of 2017. Here’s the link: https://dowally.bandcamp.com/track/st-vincents
