About the Pentland Junior Singers
The Choir
Formed in 1987, The Pentland Juniors exists to enable children to experience and develop their love of singing choral music in a vocally healthy and fun environment. As a trained singer and singing teacher, Sarah ensures that the young singers of the Pentland Juniors cultivate a healthy singing technique. They explore a range of styles throughout the year – from the more traditional choral repertoire, to folk, world songs, and songs from shows and films – in order to develop their ability to sing in unison, and 2 or 3 parts. During weekly rehearsals, the Pentland Juniors also work to develop their musicianship and sight-singing skills through Kodaly-based singing games and the learning of solfège notation.
Rebecca, our musical director, firmly believes that learning and enjoyment go hand-in-hand, especially where singing is concerned. So, whilst some hard work is involved, singing in the Pentland Juniors is also extremely fun and rewarding!
The Junior Singers meet at Balerno Parish Church every Tuesday evening between 6.00 and 7.00pm
There are three sessions a year the first is from September to December, the second is from January to Easter, with a break for mid-term. The third term is from Easter to June. In line with school holidays
The Pentland Junior Singers perform in the Christmas and Summer concerts of the Pentland Singers. They also take part in the Edinburgh Competition Festival and have won the Scots Song section twice ( 2017 and 2019) and the Choir of Mixed Ages (2019).
The Pentland Singers
The Pentland Junior Singers are supported by the Pentland Singers which is an adult community choir of mixed voices formed in 1984. The choir performs Christmas and Summer concerts in Balerno High School. They have hosted succesful Come and Sing events as part of the Balerno Music Festival and have performed in St Marys and St Giles Cathedrals, Edinburgh and the Swaledale Music Festival.
Musical Director
Laura Mackie
Laura is a passionate musician, educator and creative learning professional with a strong commitment to making high-quality musical experiences accessible to young people and communities from all backgrounds.
A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she completed a BEd specialising in piano and music education, Laura combines her musical expertise with a deep enthusiasm for education, creativity and lifelong learning. She is a fully qualified secondary teacher with experience in both classroom teaching and wider creative learning.
In 2023, Laura was appointed a Creative Learning Ambassador for the Benedetti Foundation, leading a mentor group of eight musicians and educators from around the world. Promoted to Lead Ambassador in 2025, she went on to lead workshops, deliver mentoring sessions and support the delivery of Benedetti Sessions across the UK.
Alongside her teaching and ambassadorial work, Laura is an Assistant Course Manager with Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, where she supports the delivery of large-scale musical experiences for hundreds of young people, tutors and external organisations.
Laura is particularly interested in exploring new approaches to music-making and learning. During her studies at the University of Melbourne, she joined a choir and had the opportunity to learn and perform a wide variety of new music, while also exploring Australian repertoire and Indonesian Gamelan. This experience broadened her musical horizons and encouraged her to embrace new musical experiences and challenges.
Outside of work, Laura loves travelling, being outdoors, going to the theatre and spending time with friends. She is delighted to be working with the young people at Pentland Juniors and looks forward to all the fun, creativity and enjoyment that the year ahead will bring!
Junior Choir Co-ordinator
Alison Marr
Alison undertakes all the administration to support Pentland Junior Singers and attends all the rehearsals.
Alison is a member of the Pentland Singers and represents the Pentland Junior Singers on the choir committee.
Alison is the child protection officer for the Pentland Junior Singers