Paisley Abbey has a long and internationally-recognised choral tradition to music. In the immediate post-Reformation period, money from the Abbey was used to found a 'sang schule' to educate boys who would sing at Abbey services. That 'sang schule' was to become Paisley Grammar School which maintains a close association with the Abbey.
In the 19th century, Paisley Abbey was in the forefront of the move to reintroduce choral singing into Church of Scotland services and, at one point in the middle of the century, members of the public could buy tickets to hear the choir practise for services!
The Boys' Choir was reformed at the beginning of the 20th century, robed in the red cassocks and white surplices which the choir still wears. In the mid 1990s, a girls' choir was formed and, in 2000, the girls' choir and boys' choir were amalgamated to form 'the choristers'. At the present time, there are some 20 choristers comprising 14 boys and 6 girls. Choristers attend local schools and practise at the Abbey two afternoons a week after school, once a week with the senior choir in the evening and, of course, sing at services on Sundays.
There is a senior choir to which a number of choral scholarships are awarded on an annual basis.
For further information, or to arrange an audition for the choristers (boys and girls aged 8+) or the senior choir, please contact the Abbey's Director of Music:-
Dr. George McPhee
Paisley Abbey,
Abbey Close,
Paisley,
Renfrewshire,
PA1 1JG.
