Sunday 10th August
Time TBC
St John's Episcopal Church, Princes Street
FESTIVAL OPENING SERVICE
Preacher: Dr Rowan Williams
formerly Archbiship of Canterbury
Music:
Time TBC
St John's Episcopal Church, Princes Street
FESTIVAL OPENING SERVICE
Preacher: Dr Rowan Williams
formerly Archbiship of Canterbury
Music:
Music
Sunday 10th August
8pm
St Cuthbert’s Lothian Road
ROBIN CHAPEL CHOIR
Director Paul Gudgin
8pm
St Cuthbert’s Lothian Road
ROBIN CHAPEL CHOIR
Director Paul Gudgin
Monday 11th August
1.15 - 2.15
Canongate Kirk
YOUNG COMPOSER'S COMPETITION RECITAL
Principal Adjudicator Paul Mealor LVO
Performance of compositions by the winners of the 2025 Sacred Music Young Composers Competition, with the Sacred Arts Festival Singers, director Calum Robertson
Paul Mealor LVO CStJ FRSA FRSE is a Welsh composer who came to prominence when his motet Ubi Caritas et Amor was performed at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. In addition to choral music , he has composed operas, symphonies, concerti and chamber music. Born in St Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales, he studied composition privately with William Mathias and John Pickard, then at the University of York with Nicola LeFanu, and in Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Hans Abrahamsen. From 2003 to 2024 Mealor was Professor of Composition at the University of Aberdeen. Since October 2023 he has been the Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival. He is currently Patron of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation.
This event is sponsored by the Edinburgh Society of Organists and the Royal College of Organists.
Prizes generously funded by Geoff and Mary Ball
1.15 - 2.15
Canongate Kirk
YOUNG COMPOSER'S COMPETITION RECITAL
Principal Adjudicator Paul Mealor LVO
Performance of compositions by the winners of the 2025 Sacred Music Young Composers Competition, with the Sacred Arts Festival Singers, director Calum Robertson
Paul Mealor LVO CStJ FRSA FRSE is a Welsh composer who came to prominence when his motet Ubi Caritas et Amor was performed at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. In addition to choral music , he has composed operas, symphonies, concerti and chamber music. Born in St Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales, he studied composition privately with William Mathias and John Pickard, then at the University of York with Nicola LeFanu, and in Copenhagen at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Hans Abrahamsen. From 2003 to 2024 Mealor was Professor of Composition at the University of Aberdeen. Since October 2023 he has been the Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival. He is currently Patron of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation.
This event is sponsored by the Edinburgh Society of Organists and the Royal College of Organists.
Prizes generously funded by Geoff and Mary Ball
Monday 11th August
8pm
St Vincent's Chapel Stockbridge
TIME IN MUSIC IS MUCH
Contemporary Sacred Song
Sam Madden, tenor
Will Sims, piano
Following their Sacred Arts Festival debut in 2024, Sam Madden and Will Sims return to Edinburgh with a recital of sacred song by contemporary composers. The programme includes works by Errollyn Wallen, Thea Musgrave, Nico Muhly, Ian Venables, Roxanna Panufnik, Tarik O’Regan, Ben Ponniah, Hugh Wood, John Jeffreys, and the Festival’s patron Paul Mealor.
Sam Madden is an international tenor from Dunedin, New Zealand, currently singing as a Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral. Since moving to the United Kingdom, Sam has performed with distinguished ensembles including Tenebrae, St Martin’s Voices, the Hanover Band, and St Paul’s Cathedral Choir.
Will Sims is the Director of Chapel Music at Robinson College, University of Cambridge and an accomplished collaborative pianist, singer, and composer.
8pm
St Vincent's Chapel Stockbridge
TIME IN MUSIC IS MUCH
Contemporary Sacred Song
Sam Madden, tenor
Will Sims, piano
Following their Sacred Arts Festival debut in 2024, Sam Madden and Will Sims return to Edinburgh with a recital of sacred song by contemporary composers. The programme includes works by Errollyn Wallen, Thea Musgrave, Nico Muhly, Ian Venables, Roxanna Panufnik, Tarik O’Regan, Ben Ponniah, Hugh Wood, John Jeffreys, and the Festival’s patron Paul Mealor.
Sam Madden is an international tenor from Dunedin, New Zealand, currently singing as a Lay Clerk at Ely Cathedral. Since moving to the United Kingdom, Sam has performed with distinguished ensembles including Tenebrae, St Martin’s Voices, the Hanover Band, and St Paul’s Cathedral Choir.
Will Sims is the Director of Chapel Music at Robinson College, University of Cambridge and an accomplished collaborative pianist, singer, and composer.
Tuesday 12th August
1.15 - 2.15
Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church
ART SONGS AND LIEDER ON SACRED THEMES
Samuel Barber: Hermit Songs (selection from texts by anonymous Irish monks)
Schubert: Litanei
Howells: King David
Strauss: Morgen & Allerseelen
Rachmaninov: Two Sacred Songs
Emma Morwood, Soprano
Ingrid Sawer, Piano
Born in Belfast, Emma Morwood studied at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she was a major award winner. Described as ‘radiant’ (The Sunday Times). ‘enchanting’ (The Times), ‘superlative’ (Opera Magazine) and ‘brilliant’ (The Telegraph), Emma’s recent concert highlights include appearing as soloist and presenter for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Viennese Gala Concert tour of Scotland; Schubert Mass in A flat with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Haydn Creation with the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Rustioni; and Handel Messiah at the Usher Hall (Edinburgh Royal Choral Union – ERCU).
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Ingrid Sawers is an accomplished pianist and chamber musician equally at home collaborating in instrumental and vocal repertoire. She has performed at both the Oxford Lieder Festival and the World Saxophone Congress, as well as numerous venues throughout the UK, Europe and in Canada. She has broadcast live on BBC Radio and BBC Arts Channels, travels worldwide as an examiner for ABRSM and coaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
1.15 - 2.15
Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church
ART SONGS AND LIEDER ON SACRED THEMES
Samuel Barber: Hermit Songs (selection from texts by anonymous Irish monks)
Schubert: Litanei
Howells: King David
Strauss: Morgen & Allerseelen
Rachmaninov: Two Sacred Songs
Emma Morwood, Soprano
Ingrid Sawer, Piano
Born in Belfast, Emma Morwood studied at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she was a major award winner. Described as ‘radiant’ (The Sunday Times). ‘enchanting’ (The Times), ‘superlative’ (Opera Magazine) and ‘brilliant’ (The Telegraph), Emma’s recent concert highlights include appearing as soloist and presenter for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Viennese Gala Concert tour of Scotland; Schubert Mass in A flat with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Haydn Creation with the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Rustioni; and Handel Messiah at the Usher Hall (Edinburgh Royal Choral Union – ERCU).
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Ingrid Sawers is an accomplished pianist and chamber musician equally at home collaborating in instrumental and vocal repertoire. She has performed at both the Oxford Lieder Festival and the World Saxophone Congress, as well as numerous venues throughout the UK, Europe and in Canada. She has broadcast live on BBC Radio and BBC Arts Channels, travels worldwide as an examiner for ABRSM and coaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Tuesday 12th August
7.30pm
St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral York Place
THE MEANING IN THE MUSICAL
Schola Cantorum, directed by Michael Ferguson, with author Ian Bradley
7.30pm
St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral York Place
THE MEANING IN THE MUSICAL
Schola Cantorum, directed by Michael Ferguson, with author Ian Bradley
Wednesday 13th August
7.30pm
Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston Street
THE SCOTTISH METRICAL PSALTER
CELEBRATING 375 YEARS
Four newly commissioned settings of the psalms.
with the Sacred Arts Festival Singer, director Calum Robertson
Friday 15th August
4-5pm
St Vincent’s Chapel, Stockbridge
THE SCOTTISH PSALTER EXPLAINED: ORIGINS, HISTORY, INFLUENCE
organized in conjunction with the Church Service Society
7.30pm
Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston Street
THE SCOTTISH METRICAL PSALTER
CELEBRATING 375 YEARS
Four newly commissioned settings of the psalms.
with the Sacred Arts Festival Singer, director Calum Robertson
Friday 15th August
4-5pm
St Vincent’s Chapel, Stockbridge
THE SCOTTISH PSALTER EXPLAINED: ORIGINS, HISTORY, INFLUENCE
organized in conjunction with the Church Service Society
Thursday 14th August
Canongate Kirk
7.30pm
LA SERENISSIMA - VIVALDI AND VENETIAN SACRED MUSIC
Howe Street Singers
Director: Les Shankland
Canongate Kirk
7.30pm
LA SERENISSIMA - VIVALDI AND VENETIAN SACRED MUSIC
Howe Street Singers
Director: Les Shankland
Friday 15th August
8pm
Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Jeffrey Street
CLOUD OF WITNESSES -
MUSIC AND POETRY CELEBRATING THE SAINTS AND MARTYRS
Choir of Old Saint Paul’s
Director: Dr John Kitchen MBE
A selection of anthems and verses inspired by great witnesses to the Christian faith.
8pm
Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Jeffrey Street
CLOUD OF WITNESSES -
MUSIC AND POETRY CELEBRATING THE SAINTS AND MARTYRS
Choir of Old Saint Paul’s
Director: Dr John Kitchen MBE
A selection of anthems and verses inspired by great witnesses to the Christian faith.
Exhibitions
Monday 11th - Friday 17th August
St Vincent's Chapel Undercroft, St Vincent Street
SEEDS OF HOPE
Carol Marples of the Soul Marks Trust
Exhibition and Participatory Workshops
For over thirty years, Carol Marples, of the Soul Marks Trust, has been professionally engaged with art as a means of spiritual exploration and discovery. In addition to her own work in several media, she is widely known for leading workshops – both in person and online -- that use the techniques of visual art to enable the expert and the inexpert to find a deeper spiritual dimension in working with matter, form and colour. This five-day exhibition of her arresting work includes 3 morning workshops in which Carol will guide participants in making and reflecting, bringing art and prayer together on the exhibition's theme.
EXHIBITION, admission free, donations invited.
Mon. 10am - 5pm Tues/Wed/ Thurs 12 noon – 5pm Friday 10 – 5pm
WORKSHOPS
Tuesday/ Wednesday / Thursday…10am -12pm £20 Tickets
St Vincent's Chapel Undercroft, St Vincent Street
SEEDS OF HOPE
Carol Marples of the Soul Marks Trust
Exhibition and Participatory Workshops
For over thirty years, Carol Marples, of the Soul Marks Trust, has been professionally engaged with art as a means of spiritual exploration and discovery. In addition to her own work in several media, she is widely known for leading workshops – both in person and online -- that use the techniques of visual art to enable the expert and the inexpert to find a deeper spiritual dimension in working with matter, form and colour. This five-day exhibition of her arresting work includes 3 morning workshops in which Carol will guide participants in making and reflecting, bringing art and prayer together on the exhibition's theme.
EXHIBITION, admission free, donations invited.
Mon. 10am - 5pm Tues/Wed/ Thurs 12 noon – 5pm Friday 10 – 5pm
WORKSHOPS
Tuesday/ Wednesday / Thursday…10am -12pm £20 Tickets
Tuesday 12th - Wednesday 13th August
10am - 4pm
Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Jeffrey St
DISCOVERING THE FABRIC OF FAITH
Over many years, the ‘Jacobite’ church of Old Saint Paul’s has accumulated an exceptionally rich collection of church vestments, hangings and linens. This two-day exhibition offers Edinburgh’s residents and visitors the opportunity to see the many ways in which beautiful cloth, intricate embroidery and superb needlework can bring a distinctive artistic dimension to Christian faith in the practice of worship. Expert guides will be on hand to explain the symbolism skillfully embodied in fabric, and the religious ceremonies in which these magnificent items are regularly used.
Admission to the exhibition is free, with donations invited to offset the cost of staging it.
10am - 4pm
Old Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Jeffrey St
DISCOVERING THE FABRIC OF FAITH
Over many years, the ‘Jacobite’ church of Old Saint Paul’s has accumulated an exceptionally rich collection of church vestments, hangings and linens. This two-day exhibition offers Edinburgh’s residents and visitors the opportunity to see the many ways in which beautiful cloth, intricate embroidery and superb needlework can bring a distinctive artistic dimension to Christian faith in the practice of worship. Expert guides will be on hand to explain the symbolism skillfully embodied in fabric, and the religious ceremonies in which these magnificent items are regularly used.
Admission to the exhibition is free, with donations invited to offset the cost of staging it.
Poetry
Sunday 10th August
3-4pm
St John the Evangelist, Princes St
THE DARK WELL FROM WHICH TO DRAW
An exploration of Welsh religious poetry, marking 25 years since the death of R S Thomas
with poets Grahame Davies and Rowan Williams & composer Paul Mealor
with the Sacred Arts Festival Singers, director Calum Robertson
organized in conjunction with the Scottish Network for Religion and Literature
3-4pm
St John the Evangelist, Princes St
THE DARK WELL FROM WHICH TO DRAW
An exploration of Welsh religious poetry, marking 25 years since the death of R S Thomas
with poets Grahame Davies and Rowan Williams & composer Paul Mealor
with the Sacred Arts Festival Singers, director Calum Robertson
organized in conjunction with the Scottish Network for Religion and Literature
Wednesday 13th August
1.15-2.15pm
Canongate Kirk
YOUNG RELIGIOUS POETS COMPETITION FINAL
with Robert Crawford and Christine De Luca
Robert Crawford’s eight collections of poetry include The Scottish Ambassador (Cape 2018). His ninth – Old World – will be published in 2025. His poetry has been shortlisted for the T S Eliot Prize, and his prose books include biographies of Robert Burns and T.S. Eliot.
Christine De Luca is a Scottish poet and writer from Shetland, who writes in both English and Shaetlan. Notably, she has published several poems in conjunction with visual artists, and her poetry has been translated into many languages. She held the position of Edinburgh's Makar (poet laureate) from 2014 to 2017.
organized in conjunction with the Scottish Poetry Library
sponsored by the Christian Arts Trust
1.15-2.15pm
Canongate Kirk
YOUNG RELIGIOUS POETS COMPETITION FINAL
with Robert Crawford and Christine De Luca
Robert Crawford’s eight collections of poetry include The Scottish Ambassador (Cape 2018). His ninth – Old World – will be published in 2025. His poetry has been shortlisted for the T S Eliot Prize, and his prose books include biographies of Robert Burns and T.S. Eliot.
Christine De Luca is a Scottish poet and writer from Shetland, who writes in both English and Shaetlan. Notably, she has published several poems in conjunction with visual artists, and her poetry has been translated into many languages. She held the position of Edinburgh's Makar (poet laureate) from 2014 to 2017.
organized in conjunction with the Scottish Poetry Library
sponsored by the Christian Arts Trust
Architecture
Date
Time
Place
EXPLORING SACRED SPACE
Time
Place
EXPLORING SACRED SPACE
Film
SATURDAY 16th August
12 noon
St Vincent’s Undercroft, St Vincent Street
CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S THE PILGRIM
With an introduction by Richard Kendall
In this silent film from 1923, Charlie Chaplin plays an escaped convict who steals a minister's clothes to replace his prison uniform. This disguise leads him into a series of misadventures when he has to keep playing the part of a parson, including conducting a wedding and improvising a sermon.
12 noon
St Vincent’s Undercroft, St Vincent Street
CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S THE PILGRIM
With an introduction by Richard Kendall
In this silent film from 1923, Charlie Chaplin plays an escaped convict who steals a minister's clothes to replace his prison uniform. This disguise leads him into a series of misadventures when he has to keep playing the part of a parson, including conducting a wedding and improvising a sermon.
Saturday 16th August
4pm
St MIchael and All Saints, Tolcross
FESTIVAL CLOSING SERVICE :
CHORAL EVENSONG
Choir of St Michael and All Saints
Director: Sandy Chenery
Introit:
Responses:
Canticles:
Anthem
Homilist: Archbishop Leo Cushley
4pm
St MIchael and All Saints, Tolcross
FESTIVAL CLOSING SERVICE :
CHORAL EVENSONG
Choir of St Michael and All Saints
Director: Sandy Chenery
Introit:
Responses:
Canticles:
Anthem
Homilist: Archbishop Leo Cushley