The St. Giles Cathedral Choir from Edinburgh embarks upon their first concert tour of north America in July 2009. Tour stops include Hamilton, St.Catherines, Buffalo, Kingston and Toronto.

Media Contact: Amanda Bauman, ACFEA Tour Consultants, amanda@acfea.com +1 (817 302 5600)

WHAT: A Choral Concert given by the Choir of ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL of Edinburgh, Scotland, to benefit the local Toronto non-profit organization: “Out of the Cold”

WHEN: Monday, July 13, 2009, 7pm

WHERE: St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church - 73 Simcoe Street, Toronto (at King Street)

COST: Suggested $10 Donation

PROGRAM: “FORTH TO ONTARIO”...works by Byrd, Tallis, Gibbons, Mendelssohn, Howells, Britten and many more

ABOUT THE CHOIR • The Choir of St Giles' Cathedral is an adult choir of thirty singers drawn from a wide variety of walks of life from the City of Edinburgh and further afield. Their main task is the singing of the two Sunday morning choral services, the 10 o'clock Holy Communion and the 11.30 Morning Service, under the direction of The Master of the Music, Michael Harris. In addition to this they sing on many special civic and national occasions, such as the Installations of the Order of the Thistle.

Whilst the raison d'ętre of the choir is the leading of the worship in St Giles' Cathedral, from time to time the choir undertakes outside engagements, as well as joining with the choirs of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, and Paisley Abbey for an annual joint Evensong.

In 2004 they undertook their first foreign tour, to the USA, and a number of the singers also gave a concert in Athens in the spring of 2005. In October 2006 they gave concerts in a number of venues in the Pyrenees. They have broadcast on many occasions over the years on both radio and television, including BBC Choral Evensong.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR • Michael Harris received his earliest musical education as a chorister of Gloucester Cathedral. He was Organ Scholar of St Peter's College, Oxford, and continued his studies at the Royal College of Music. Michael has been Organist and Master of the Music of St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, since November 1996; he is also a Lecturer at the Ian Tomlin School of Music in Napier University, Edinburgh. Prior to moving to Edinburgh he held posts as Sub-Organist of Leeds Parish Church and Assistant Organist of Canterbury Cathedral.

ABOUT THE ORGANIST • Peter Backhouse began his musical training as a chorister in the choir of York Minster. Later he studied music at Edinburgh University where he graduated BMus (Hons), having won the 3rd Year Class Medal as well as the Tovey Memorial Prize for his organ playing. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and holder of their Choir Training Diploma, as well as an Associate of the Royal College of Music. In 1977 he was appointed Assistant Organist at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. This post, with its daily accompaniment of services, as well as many concerts, recitals, broadcasts and recordings, kept him busy for over 20 years.