For Junior Choristers in St Peter’s

(Children aged 8 – 16)

Voice for Life is an educational programme for children and adults, developed by the Royal School of Church Music.

As singers reach graded levels of the many facets of singing including music theory, aural and sight-singing skills, singing technique, as well as liturgical and repertoire knowledge, they are awarded with different coloured ribbons. These levels are internally assessed, but participants can also take the parallel RSCM awards of Bronze, Silver, and Gold, which are assessed through a formal exam.

On reaching these graded targets, singers are awarded coloured ribbons in the following order:

Voice for Life Medal and         White Ribbon

Light Blue Ribbon

Dark Blue Ribbon

Bronze Medal (Optional – a Green ribbon and Bronze Medal)

Red Ribbon

Silver Medal (Optional – a Purple ribbon and Silver Medal)

Yellow Ribbon

Gold Medal (Optional – a Dark Red ribbon and Gold Medal)

The above levels are internally assessed, and the medal plus appropriately coloured ribbon are worn at services. Voice for Life is not however primarily about gaining levels and awards as fast as possible. It is about steady development and training skills that will be used for life.

Choristers can also elect to proceed through a parallel graded system of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award, all of which are assessed externally by the RSCM.

In St Peter’s, the Head Chorister wears a red ribbon and Head Chorister medal, with the most recently awarded Voice for Life coloured ribbon and medal underneath. The Deputy Head Choristers wear a Dark Blue ribbon and medal, again, with the most recently awarded Voice for Life coloured ribbon and medal underneath.

Voice for Life for Junior Choristers (P4 – S4)

All children aged 8+ are very welcome in the Junior Choir and any part of the Voice for Life programme. Junior Choir and Voice for Life sessions are held on a Thursday evening, with each child being considered individually and slotted into the session most appropriate to their needs.

6.15pm – 7.15pm: for children who do not want to sing regularly in Junior Choir but would like to have some experience and at least learn about music theory, vocal technique, musicianship and liturgy. Within this weekly session, all aspects of Voice for Life will be incorporated, but without the child having to commit to singing each Sunday. It is also the best session to ‘try-out’ / begin the Voice for Life programme.

6.30pm – 8pm: for children who do want to follow the Voice for Life programme, as well as sing with the adult choir on Sunday mornings.

7pm – 8pm: for members of the Junior Choir who wish to sing with the adult choir on a Sunday morning, but choose not follow the Voice for Life programme.

All Junior Choristers attend Sunday’s Cool during services, and those that sing with the adult choir on a Sunday morning receive a small fee.

The Voice for Life programme for Junior Choristers currently has specific input from Rupert Forbes (Director of Music), Sheila Robertson (Organist) and Derek Harley (Youth Worker). If you have any questions, would like more information, or have a child who would like to join Voice for Life or Junior Choir, please speak to Rupert (Tel. No: 0131 664 3030) or Sheila (Tel. No. 0131 229 3177).

Any of the musicians would also be happy to answer any questions after a morning service.

More information about Voice for Life can be found on the

RSCM webpage: www.rscm.com/education