08.05.2007
The ‘Kirking of the Parliament’ takes place this evening in St Giles’ Cathedral. His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay will be joined by newly elected MSPs, representatives of Scotland ’s faiths and other guests from across Scotland.
The Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan, who led the Kirking ceremonies in 1999 and 2003, will lead the evening service.
Guests will be greeted by music performed by members of The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland (NYJOS).
Saxophonist Grant Irvine, pianist Alan Benzie, bass guitarist James Padmore (all three from St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh) and drummer Jonathan Silk (from Dollar Academy) will perform a programme of classic jazz tunes such as ‘ In A Mellow Tone’, ‘Have You Met Miss Jones?’, ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ and ‘All Of Me and Four’.
Violinists George Smith and Alan John will perform a Scottish Medley. Both young musicians are currently studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
The service includes:
A reading by the Presiding Officer George Reid (Proverbs 15 and The Epistle to the Philippians 4).
‘The Piper of Dundee’ performed by members of the National Youth Choir of Scotland Edinburgh Choir.
Readings from the Q’uran and a Hebrew prayer.
The act of commendation.
The service concludes with the hymn ‘Praise my soul, the King of heaven’. After the service, the Duke of Rothesay will meet party leaders, before attending the Presiding Officer’s reception in the Signet Library.
Background on St Giles’ Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh with its famed crown spire on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, it is Presbyterianism's Mother Church and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland's chivalric company of knights headed by the Queen).
Background on NYJOS
The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) provides top class music education and performance experience for young musicians throughout Scotland. Running six national youth ensembles, including NYJOS, the NYOS organises training, intensive rehearsals and national and international concert tours. NYOS is committed to introducing musical experiences to all of Scotland's young people through workshops in Scotland's nursery, primary and secondary schools.