Glasgow Songwriting Festival
catherinemajor
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Posts by Catherine Major:
We are looking for a new Convenor
Following John Wallace’s recent announcement that he will step down after seven years as MEPG Convenor, we are looking for a new Convenor of the Music Education Partnership Group.
The Convenor will be Accountable to the Board, and responsible to the Partnership, to create, embody and expedite the strategic vision of the Music Education Partnership Group.
Applicants should send a CV, covering letter and the names of two referees to Mae Murray, MEPG Secretariat (mae.murray@mepgscotland.org) by Friday 31 March 2023.
Following receipt of applications, a selection panel drawn from the MEPG Board will identify those to be contacted to provide further information and thereafter a number will be invited for interview. A short list will be drawn up following which arrangements will be made for a Zoom call to allow each of the candidates to make a presentation to MEPG Partners and answer questions. MEPG Partners will then be invited to rank the candidates in order of preference and submit to the MEPG Secretariat. After consideration, the selection panel will make a recommendation to the MEPG Board.
Updates from Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Tha a’ mhòr-chiud de na Fèisean ionadail air tilleadh gu suidheachadh àbhaisteach a-rithist. Eadar na tachartasan aca-san agus an obair a bhios an t-seirbheis foghlaim foirmeil aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Fèisgoil, a lìbhrigeadh tha pailteas de chothroman ciùil ri fhaotainn a rithist, freagarrach don òigridh gu h-àraidh le ùidh ann an ceòl traidiseanta.
Most local Fèisean are now back and between these activities and the work being carried out by Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s formal education service, Fèisgoil, there are once again plenty of Fèis-related opportunities, especially for young people interested in traditional music.
There are 47 Fèisean and here is a snapshot of what some of them have been up to recently or are about to deliver:
Fèis Dhùn Èideann (Edinburgh)
Fèis Dhùn Èideann is holding a Fèis on the 11th of February for teenagers and on the 13th and 14th of February for children in Primary School. If you would like more information or to reserve a space please email Gillian at feisdhunideann@feisean.org
Fèis Farr 2023 (Farr, Inverness-shire)
Fèis Farr will be holding a Fèis in the local community hall on the 25th and 26th of February for primary-aged children and those in S1-2. The participants will have lessons on the accordion, groupwork, step dance, whistle, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and Gaelic song and there will be a Wee Fèis as well for younger children. You can find more information on the Fèis Farr Facebook page.
Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich (Isle of Lewis)
Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich has been leading development projects with Lewis teenagers to guide them in the skills necessary for working as live and as studio musicians.
Since early 2022, they’ve been working with local musicians to develop their skills in group work and performance. This continues with workshops in studio and live production along with TradAwards Studio Engineer of the year, Keith Morrison in Wee Studio and at an Lanntair. They also have some live opportunities coming up, as they continue to develop their musical skills.
Fèis Tìr an Eòrna (North Uist)
Fèis Tìr an Eòrna has been a prominent part of the Taigh Chearsabhaigh exhibition on the musical heritage of North Uist. Working with other island bodies such as the gallery itself, and the local history society, they’ve researched and performed Gaelic songs from the island at live and digital cèilidhs.
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain (South Uist)
South Uist has been described as the ‘Brazil of piping’ by no less than piping luminary Fred Morrison, and Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain has been exploring this piping heritage. A group of local pipers and tradition bearers has been established to work with the Fèis on weekly classes, and it’s planned to explore this further.
Fèis Bharraigh (Barra)
Fèis Bharraigh was the first Fèis (1981), and as they prepare for their covid-delayed 40th anniversary it’s with a resurgence of interest among island youngsters. Classes in piping, accordion and fiddle have regularly been oversubscribed and additional classes started as a result. They too are researching the island piping heritage, and have tradition bearers involved in weekly classes.
Fuaran 2023 (Gaelic song – research and performance opportunity for young adults)
Applications are now closed for the 2023 series of the Fuaran project. Fuaran, meaning a spring or well, was established in order to encourage the next generation of Gaelic singers to research songs of their own communities or those from areas to which they had a connection. Participants are also encouraged to delve into the wonderful and varied archives available before being given the opportunity to record these songs themselves. For more information: www.feisean.org/fuaran
Fèisgoil (FnG’s formal education service)
YMI Highland
YMI sessions, in collaboration with Highlife Highland and local Fèisean, Fèis an Earraich, Fèis Chataibh, Fèis Inbhir Narainn, Fèis Lochabair, Fèis Rois and Fèis Spè are well underway with all areas due to complete delivery by the end of this school term. Most areas adopted the approach of an online cèilidh to introduce tutors and the project to the classes and followed this up with face-to-face sessions.
Seinn
In collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, our Fèisgoil service delivers Gaelic singing sessions to all pupils in Uist and Barra. This term our tutors are concentrating on songs connected to the mass emigrations of islanders one hundred years ago.
Treòir Voar Virr Òrain air chall
Following on from the ambitious multi-arts inter-island project last year, a smaller scale Treòir Voar Virr project, this time with Òrain air Chall (Lost Songs) as its topic is underway in all six local authorities where island schools are situated.
Research carried out by local song specialists has resulted in a resource of over 50 songs deemed fragile within their own communities.
These songs are being reintroduced to schoolchildren through the project and links to lyrics, translations, archival recordings as well as some brand new recordings will be available through the Fèisean nan Gàidheal website once the project has completed.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is very grateful to The Scottish Government for specific funding of the project as well as to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for collaboration through its Dìleab – Eilthireachd project marking 100 years since the sailing of the Marloch and the Metagama, and the devastating effect this had on the population of the islands, with over 300 Lewis folk – all except two – young men with an average age of 22 sailing for a new life in Canada.
Log this term’s data for Every Copy Counts by 6 Apr
Under the terms of the Schools Printed Music Licence (SPML), schools should submit data on what they are copying and arranging on an easy-to-access portal. This can be done on a termly basis, saving teachers time, the next copy deadline is Thursday 6th April.
Every Copy Counts is a campaign to raise awareness about the Schools Printed Music Licence and support schools in submitting their copy data. Teachers can access a range of information, guidance and resources to support them with meeting the terms of the licence, including termly drop in events to have questions answered. Visit our website at everycopycounts.co.uk for further information.
Agar Trust funding for young musicians – apply by 28 Feb
The Agar Trust supports young musicians (8-21) who want to further their music education beyond the local area by attending individual tuition, short courses, auditions or higher education. Our funds are focused primarily on travel and subsistence costs faced by those who need to travel from rural parts of Scotland.
For further information and to download our guidelines and an application form, visit www.agar-trust.org.uk
SAME review 2022’s CLPL and share a taste of what’s to come this year
SAME has been keenly organising and hosting webinars to support our music colleagues across a range of areas of music education.
Our hugely popular webinar, Musical Fun in Primary 1, held in April, began our series of online sessions for 2022, geared primarily, as the title suggests, towards supporting Primary 1 classroom teachers (non-specialists) and was led by Donna Minto, Kate Picken and Amanda Massie.
Making Thinking Visible, presented by Laura MacMillan, which took place in May 2022, introduced the approach to colleagues across Scotland and provided a range of teaching and learning strategies and resources for use in the classroom.
In June 2022, Sir James MacMillan and Jennifer Martin of The Cumnock Tryst collaborated with SAME to present a webinar on composition which featured details of Sir James MacMillan’s new book – Creative Composition for the Classroom.
Finishing off the year, in early December we continued the composition theme with a webinar entitled, ‘Composition for BGE – Ideas for getting started in the BGE classroom’. This was led by John Gourlay (instrumental) and Greg Brown (technology), giving two very different and valuable approaches to this subject.
Looking forward to our upcoming webinars, the evening of February 23rd will introduce a P7/S1 transition project that has been up and running in Aberdeenshire for a number of years. This will be followed on March 23rd with a webinar detailing a class-band type P7/S1 transition project with the aim over both webinars to support both classroom and instrumental colleagues to in turn support learners as they move from music learning in the primary school to music learning in the secondary school.
All our webinars have been attractively priced and well attended. Participant feedback has been extremely positive with an overwhelming sentiment of enjoyment of the online presentations. However, participants have also expressed a desire to return to in-person events in whatever way this is possible. With this in mind, SAME is looking to provide in-person events again in the not too distant future. At this stage these would be done on a satellite basis rather than a full conference situation. There have been discussions with several bodies as to content and geographical placing for these in-person events and SAME hopes to be able to advertise such events soon.
SAME is always looking to support all music educators across the country and would welcome suggestions for future events which would be of particular interest to you. Please feel free to contact SAME via the website – www.same.org.uk with any proposals or ideas you may have.
Apply now for Music School of Douglas Academy
The closing date for applications to the Music School of Douglas Academy is 27th January. If you are a student, or a teacher who has a student who wishes to be fully immersed in music, working with like-minded people, then the Music School is the ideal place to nurture that interest. All places are fully funded at no cost to students.
Further Information
tel: 0141 955 2365
website: www.douglas.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
email: musicschool@douglas.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
St Mary’s Music School Christmas Concert
St Mary’s Music School pupils present an evening of performances including the premiere of ‘A Shared Mystery’ composed by former pupil Simon David Smith. Inspired by Corstorphine Hill and the poetry of Alexander McCall Smith, it is the sixth instalment of The Seven Hills Project.
The programme will also include a performance of Hindemith ‘Trauermusik’ for solo viola and strings and contributions from the school choirs, junior strings and the senior orchestra.
If you need further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the School Office on 0131 538 7766 or on email – info@st-marys-music-school.co.uk
ABRSM and MEPG announce three-year partnership
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) have announced a three-year partnership to expand opportunities for more people to access music making in Scotland.
Through its flagship We Make Music Scotland initiative and with support from ABRSM, MEPG will lead on the development of an exciting new programme to make musical instruments available in public libraries across Scotland. The first Instrument Libraries will be in Fife, North Ayrshire and Edinburgh, with more to follow as the programme develops.
Reflecting on this partnership and ABRSM’s commitment to supporting music education in Scotland, ABRSM’s Chief Executive, Chris Cobb, said:
“We are delighted to be collaborating with MEPG and its partners to support the Instrument Libraries initiative. Music has the power to enrich lives and to bring people together, and this programme will provide more opportunities for more people to experience and celebrate the joy of music in Scotland.”
For more information about the event or the We Make Music Scotland programme, please visit our Instrument Libraries page.
News and events from St Mary’s Music School
Virtual Open Days
Take a peek behind the scenes of Scotland’s national music school
If you are a young musician or a parent of a musically-talented child then this is the perfect opportunity to discover the world of St Mary’s Music School. Meet current pupils, meet our staff and find out what lessons are like inside the world of our instrumental pupils. There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have.
This online event will give young musicians and their parents a real insight into life at Scotland’s national music school, one of five designated specialist music schools in the UK and the only one in Scotland.
Further details on the SMMS website
Accordion and viola lessons and a new string ensemble at SMC
Saturday Music Classes at St Mary’s Music School are delighted to be expanding their range of instruments, with accordion and viola lessons now available. Anyone can try these fabulous and versatile instruments- SMC offer a free taster lesson at the start of term!
SMC are also introducing a new string ensemble to their activities. ‘We’d love to get every student involved in ensemble playing, to enhance their learning and to discover the joy of making music with others’, says Philip Bartai, the new manager of SMC. ‘We’ll be introducing other new ensembles this year too!’
Further details at https://www.stmarysmusicschool.co.uk/music-for-all/saturday-music-classes/
St Mary’s Music School is one of the nine specialist Music and Dance Schools the UK (and the only one in Scotland) funded by the UK Government and providing the finest training in Britain. It is a co-educational, non-denominational specialist music school, offering a world class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years. www.stmarysmusicschool.co.uk
New Collaboration sees Premiere of New Chamber Music Commissioned by St Mary’s Music School at International Storytelling Festival
A new work by multi-award-winning Scottish composer Ailie Robertson , commissioned by St Mary’s Music School, Scotland’s national music school, will be premiered at a special concert at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival that celebrates female composers and their relationship with ‘place’.
The piece, Dottyville, for violin and cello will be performed by GAIA Duo musicians Katrina Lee and Alice Allen and has been inspired by Edinburgh’s Craiglockhart Hill.
It is the fifth of seven new music commissions by St Mary’s Music School’s Seven Hills Project which has brought together seven composers with links to the School to write a work inspired by the topography of one of Edinburgh’s seven hills and the corresponding ‘hill’ poem by Alexander McCall Smith. Dottyville draws on Ailie’s distinct blend of traditional and contemporary music to capture the restorative nature of Craiglockhart Hill to the ‘soul-injured’ who recuperated in the nearby veterans’ hospital.
The concert, Landscapes and Dances, Songs She Scored Out, takes place at Canongate Kirk on Wednesday 26th October at 7.30pm. This one-hour concert has been developed in collaboration between St Mary’s Music School, the Scottish International Story Telling Festival, Robertson and GAIA Duo. In addition to Ailie Robertson’s new work it features music by Rebecca Clark, Elizabeth Maconchy and music by anonymised historical Scottish Female Composers of the 1850s – the names of these women were often scored out with black pen - which will be performed by junior pupils of St Mary’s Music School. All of the works tell musical stories about surrounding landscapes, geographic and cultural, by female composers, each with a different experience of their ‘place’ in their surrounding musical landscape, some even scored out.
Ailie Robertson, who has composed works for some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions including the BBC Proms and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, was the 2018-21 composer in residence for Sound Scotland and Glyndebourne Opera. Commenting on the premiere of Dottyville, and working in the unique collaboration with Scotland’s national music school and the Storytelling Festival, she said:
The idea for entitling my piece ‘Dottyville’ comes from the poet Siegfried Sassoon. Craiglockhart Hospital was one of the most famous shell-shock treatment centres, set up after the battle of the Somme in 1916. Two of the finest war poets were treated there—Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. It was Sassoon who nicknamed the place ‘Dottyville’ in a letter of 1917.
Valerie Pearson, Head of Strings at St Mary’s Music School is leading the Seven Hills Project, which celebrates new music composition and performance as part of the build-up to the School’s 50th anniversary in 2023. She added:
There was always an idea to bring Ailie’s piece into the SISTF but I didn’t imagine how naturally things would develop. It has been wonderful working with Donald Smith (SISTF), Ailie Robertson and GAIA Duo to shape this programme together. They share an artistry for connecting tradition to the now – harnessing the qualities and preciousness of the past in refreshing ways that push tradition forward and keep it relevant today and tomorrow. I hoped to achieve this in this event and in the Seven Hills Project as a whole – the core aims of the Seven Hills Project are about celebrating Scotland, SMMS’ home, and Scottish new music. We deliberately focused on female composers because their voice felt most relevant now. It has been a great opportunity to build partnerships with different areas of the arts world that create new links to classical music, which is very much part of the school’s forward thinking.
Tickets £10 full price / £8 concessions / under 18s free. Available via SMMS website
ABRSM’s composer mentoring programme features two Scotland-based composers
ABRSM‘s composer mentoring programme, Writing for Music Education, provides emerging composers with opportunities to develop their skills in writing to a brief, both for exam syllabuses and within broader educational contexts. Composers on the programme receive dedicated mentoring from leading educational composers, as well as specialist support from educators and ABRSM staff as they complete a series of compositional tasks.
Composers will also benefit from opportunities to meet and establish connections with ABRSM’s broad range of partner organisations, including opportunities to write music for the National Open Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain and National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
This year’s programme, which runs from September 2022 to February 2023, features six composers from diverse backgrounds, including Scotland-based composers Amit Anand and Ben Lunn. The programme, managed by ABRSM Partnerships Manager and composer James Welburn, will “play a part in supporting the musical and career development of these composers. Whether they’re composing for accessible instruments such as the Clarion, for jazz ensembles or for a full children’s orchestra, we’re sure the composers will have a lot of fun along the way!”
For more information about the programme and details of the six composers, please visit the ABRSM website.
Tea and Tunes in Kirkcaldy
Enjoy a relaxed hour of music from some of Scotland’s most talented young professional musicians, followed by a cup of tea and a chance to meet the artists
Live Music Now Scotland is proud to present an exciting new programme of informal concerts in partnership with The Old Kirk in Kirkcaldy.
“We’re delighted to be starting a new series of concerts at the end of this month in Fife,” says Live Music Now Scotland Director, Carol Main MBE. “We want to make live music accessible with as few barriers as possible so there is no charge and all are welcome.”
“The Tea and Tunes series is very much about giving older people, including those with dementia related illness and their carers and families, access to high quality live music in an informal and relaxed setting. We’ll be introducing audiences to four duos on our roster that we’re very proud of; Amy Strachan and Daniel Silcock, Penny James and Matt Tighe, TWOgether Duo and Roo and Neil. There is a mix of classical music and traditional Scottish music over four afternoon performances in the Autumn and Winter, with the last concert themed around St Andrew’s Day.”
‘Tea and Tunes’ is an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed and informal hour of music from some of Scotland’s most talented young professional musicians, followed by the chance to meet the artists over a cup of tea after the performance.
“We hope that these more relaxed events will suit some of our audience members who could find a longer, more formal situation a little stressful or off-putting – but all are very welcome to hear this first class music!”, says Rosemary Potter of The Old Kirk, where the concerts are taking place.
The concerts are funded by the Stafford Trust but donations are welcome.
Dates
Wed 31 August: Amy Strachan and Daniel Silcock, voice and piano
Wed 28 September: Penny James and Matt Tighe, two violins
Wed 26 October: TWOgether Duo, violin and accordion
Wed 30 November: Roo & Neil – music for St Andrew’s Day, fiddle and accordion
Primary schools earn We Make Music Digital Awards
Huge congratulations to the schools in Scotland who have gained the We Make Music Digital Award. All pupils who completed the award will receive a certificate and each school will receive a We Make Music Digital Award plaque.
- Downfield Primary (Dundee City)
- Broxburn Primary (West Lothian)
- Lairdsland Primary (East Dumbarton)
- Craigdhu Primary (East Dumbarton)
- Whitehirst Park Primary (North Ayrshire)
- St. Bridget’s Primary North Ayrshire)
- Glebe Primary (North Ayrshire)
- Glencairn Primary North Ayrshire)
- Elphinstone Primary (East Lothian)
- Ballantrae Primary (South Ayrshire)
- Ayr Grammar Primary (South Ayrshire)
- Kingcase Primary (South Ayrshire)
- Monkton Primary (South Ayrshire)
- Hillhead Primary (East Ayrshire)
- Gargieston Primary (East Ayrshire)
- New Cumnock Primary (East Ayrshire)
We Make Music Digital Awards are a nationally recognised award for young people in Scotland was supported by the Sonappa resources and free CPDL opportunities for teachers.
Find out more about the results of the pilot project
We Make Music Day 2022
Make Music Day is an international annual day of music making that takes place in 125 countries on the 21 June every year.
MEPG Partners RSNO and Beat Buddies Music joined up with the pupils from Castlehead High School and West Primary School to perform in Paisley Abbey.
Meanwhile, pupils from North Ayrshire performed at Kilwinning and Kilbirnie libraries and the Harbour Arts Centre.
Well done to everyone who took part and a huge thank you to our partners, young musicians and audience for making this event a success.
We Make Music Digital Survey Results
The We Make Music Digital Award had its successful pilot this year. Sonappa have been delivering this new award in partnership with MEPG, and we’re excited to share some exciting information about the award!
We Make Music Digital has been achieved by 15 schools in Scotland and by 500+ young people by using Sonappa.
Sonappa have conducted lessons and collected feedback during this pilot. The response from students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Young people are loving access to music making during the average primary school day, and teachers have enjoyed the ease of access and the ability to teach music without specialised knowledge.
Survey Results
During the pilot Sonappa have been looking closely at the effect that music technology lessons can have on primary school students and teachers. This data has come from analytics on the Sonappa resource, surveys from participating teachers, and interviews with students and school staff.
Their data shows nearly 1000 uses of the video resources during the 9 month pilot – which were used to either deliver music lessons for children in schools, or conduct professional development for teachers. The average suggested lesson time is about 1 hour, which means that Sonappa has resulted in approx 900 hours of music taking place in primary schools in Scotland this year during the pilot. The data sheet for these statistics is attached to this email.
They also surveyed teachers taking part in the pilot. Sonappa’s mission is to put music lessons in the hands of teachers with minimal preparation and zero required expertise, and over 85% of teachers agreed/strongly agreed that Sonappa made it easier to deliver a music lesson, and 90% agreed/strongly agreed that Sonappa resulted in more music lessons taking place in their classroom and school.
They also said young people enjoyed using Sonappa, and progressed their musical learning as a result, making it more likely for a student to choose a musical subject when transitioning to secondary school.
Updates from Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Fèisean nan Gàidheal delivers in communities (Fèisean) and school settings (Fèisgoil) and a round-up of some of our current and upcoming music-based activity follows:
Fèisean: Summer 2022
Tha sàmhradh trang air fàire agus na Fèisean ag ullachadh airson na prìomh thachartasan aca, a’ mhor-chuid airson a’ chiad uair bho 2019. Bidh cothroman aig òigridh oideachadh fhaighinn ann an taghadh farsaing de dh’ionnsramaidean, ‘s bidh òrain Ghàidhlig, dràma, dannsa ‘s obair ealain mar phàirt dha na cothroman sònraichte a gheibh com-pàirtichean.
Fèisean are gearing up for a busy summer with events taking place throughout the country. Young people will have the opportunity to receive tuition in a range of instruments, as well as Gaelic song, Gaelic drama, dancing and art.
Fèis Tìr an Eòrna (North Uist)
4 – 8 Iuchar 4-8 July
Fèis Eilean na Hearadh (Harris)
4 – 8 Iuchar 4-8 July
Fèis na h-Òige (Inverness)
4 – 8 Iuchar 4-8 July
Fèis Thiriodh (Tiree)
4-8 Iuchar 4-8 July
Fèis Eige (Isle of Eigg)
6-8 Iuchar 6-8 July
Fèis Bharraigh (Barra)
12-14 Iuchar 12-14 July
Fèis nan Garbh Chrìochan (Acharacle)
13-15 Iuchar 13-15 July
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain (South Uist)
Rèis na Fèis agus Cèilidh 10 Iuchar Fèis Race and Cèilidh 10 July
Fèis air an Oir (Farr, Sutherland)
18-22 Iuchar 18-22 July
Fèis Phàislig (Paisley)
19-22 Iuchar 19-22 July
Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich (Stornoway, Lewis)
25 – 29 Iuchar 25-29 July
Fèis Arainn (Isle of Arran)
26-29 Iuchar 26-29 July
Fèis an Rubha (Point, Lewis)
1 – 5 Lùnastal 1-5 August
Fèis Lochabair (Lochaber)
1-5 Lùnastal 1-5 August
Here is a more detailed look at some of the Fèisean we are looking forward to welcoming back in person.
Fèis Phàislig – 19-22 an t-Iuchar 2022
Tha comataidh Fèis Phàislig air an dòigh glan gu bheil tachartas aghaidh ri aghaidh gu bhith aca a-rithist am-bliadhna an dèidh dà bhliadhna far nach robh Fèis àbhaisteach a’ dol air sgàth a’ Chorònabhìorais. Ged a rinn Fèis Phàislig oidhirp fìor mhath tachartasan a chumail a’ dol tron ghlasadh-sluaigh le Fèis agus clasaichean seachdaineil air-loidhne, tha iad a’ dèanamh fiughair a bhith air ais còmhla airson seachdain na Fèise, aig Àrd-sgoil Gleniffer ann am Pàislig, eadar an 19mh agus 22mh den Iuchair. ’S e ceithir làithean de bhùithtean-obrach ciùil airson luchd-tòisichidh 8-18 bliadhnaichean a dh’aois a th’ anns an Fhèis agus gheibh com-pàirtichean cothroman ceòl traidiseanta, dràma, òrain Ghàidhlig agus ealain ionnsachadh bho luchd-teagaisg a tha air leth tàlantach. Bidh clasaichean anns na cuspairean a leanas; bogsa-ciùil, ealain, feadan agus pìobaireachd, clàrsach, dannsa, dràma, drumaireachd, fìdheall, filmeadh, giotàr, seinn agus feadan. Am measg na bhios a’ teagasg am-bliadhna bidh Josie Duncan, Steve Fyvie, Becky Hill agus Joe Peach.
Fèis Phàislig –19th – 22nd July 2022
Fèis Phàislig is delighted to announce that the annual Fèis will return face to face in July 2022 after two years off due to Coronavirus. Although working hard to keep an online programme of events running throughout the lockdowns, with an online Fèis and online weekly classes, the Fèis is looking forward to having everyone back together in the classrooms at Gleniffer High School between the 19th and 22nd of July. The Fèis is four days of music lessons for beginners aged between eight and 18 and the participants will get the opportunity to learn traditional music, drama, Gaelic song and art from some very talented tutors. Participants can take classes in the following subjects; accordion, art, chanter and piping, clarsach, dance, drama, percussion, fiddle, film-making, guitar, singing and whistle. Included in this years teaching line up are Josie Duncan, Steve Fyvie, Becky Hill and Joe Peach.
Fèis Arainn – 26-29 an t-Iuchar 2022
Tha comataidh Fèis Arainn gu math toilichte gu bheil tachartas àbhaisteach, aghaidh ri aghaidh, gu bhith aca eadar an 26mh agus an 29mh den Iuchair aig Àrd-sgoil Arainn. Thairis air ceithir làithean, gheibh com-pàirtichean cothrom sgilean ùra ionnsachadh le ceòl, seinn, dràma, ealain agus iomain nam measg. Gheibh a h-uile com-pàirtiche cothrom barrachd Gàidhlig ionnsachadh cuideachd. Bidh fàilte bhlàth a’ feitheamh air luchd-ionnsachaidh nach eil air a bhith ann roimhe idir agus cuideachd air òigridh a tha air a bhith aig an Fhèis gu tric. Bidh rudeigin ann airson a h-uile duine, bho luchd-tòiseachaidh suas gu luchd-ionnsachaidh a tha gu math comasach. Chan fheum eòlas a bhith aig com-pàirtichean air mar a leughas iad ceòl agus chan fheum eòlas a bhith aca air ceòl traidiseanta nas motha airson pàirt a ghabhail. Am-bliadhna, tha Fèis Arainn cuideachd a’ tabhainn sheiseanan do dheugairean. Gheibh iad an cothrom clasaichean ciùil, obair-buidhne agus filmeadh a dhèanamh.
Fèis Arainn – 26th – 19th July 2022
The Fèis Arainn committee is very happy to be running a normal, face-to-face Fèis this year between the 26th and 29thof July at Arran High School. Over four days, participants will get the chance to learn lot of new skills including music, singing, drama, shinty and art. All participants will also get the opportunity to learn some Gaelic. Young people who have never attended the Fèis before will be very welcome alongside children who have been to the Fèis a few times before. There will be something at the Fèis for everyone, from complete beginners to skilled and experienced musicians. No previous knowledge of how to read music or previous experience of traditional music is required to attend. This year Fèis Arainn is also offering afternoon sessions for secondary school pupils. They can choose from a masterclass in their preferred instrument, group work sessions or film-making workshops.
Fèis air an Oir 2022 18-22 Iuchar
Tron ghlasadh, chùm Fèis air an Oir a’ dol le leasanan ciùil agus tachartasan air-loidhne dha na com-pàirtichean aca. Às dèidh dhaibh tilleadh gu leasanan aghaidh ri aghaidh na bu thràithe air a’ bhliadhna seo, tha a’ chomataidh a’ dèanamh fiughar ri fàilte a chur air clann ionadail agus luchd-ciùil òga bho sgìrean eile. Bidh an Fhèis a’ tachairt ann an Sgoil Farr ann an ceann a tuath Chataibh bho 18 – 22 an t-Iuchar. Bidh clasaichean ann airson gach aois, a bharrachd air grunn thachartasan agus cèilidhean anns a’ choimhearsnachd. Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh, cuiribh sùil air www.facebook.com/feisairanoir
Fèis air an Oir 2022 18-22 July
Throughout the covid pandemic, Fèis air an Oir kept their participants engaged through online music lessons, workshops and events and having made a return to in-person weekly classes earlier in the year, the committee can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors to their Fèis Week which will take place at Farr High School in the far North of Sutherland, from 18th – 22nd July. The Fèis will include classes for all ages as well as a number of community events and ceilidhs. For more information including their amazing line up of tutors, find them at www.facebook.com/feisairanoir
Cèilidhean air chuairt : Cèilidh Trails
Cèilidhean air Chuairt 2022
Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal air leth toilichte gum bi na Cèilidhean air Chuairt air ais air an rathad as t-samhradh. Bidh iad a’ tadhal air diofar àiteachan air feadh Earra-Ghàidheal, Lochabair, Sruighlea agus na Tròiseachan, Siorrachd Rinn Friù agus Siorrachd Rois tron Iuchar agus an Lùnastal. Airson a’ chiad turas bho 2019 bidh com-pàirtichean a’ cruinneachadh aig Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd anns a’ Phloc san Iuchar airson seachdain trèanaidh mus tèid iad air chuairt anns na sgìrean ionadail aca fhèin. Chaidh na Cèilidhean air Chuairt a leasachadh mar chothrom trèanaidh airson daoine òga eadar sia-deug agus fichead ’s a còig bliadhna a dh’aois gus cothrom a thoirt dhaibh na sgilean ciùil aca a leasachadh. Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh, tadhalaibh air www.feisean.org/ceilidhean-air-chuairt/
Fèis Cèilidh Trails 2022
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted that a number of Cèilidh Trails will make a return this summer, touring across Argyll, Lochaber, Stirling and the Trossachs, Renfrewshire and Ross-shire throughout July and August. For the first time since 2019 the Cèilidh Trail participants will meet up at the Traditional Music Centre of Excellence at Plockton High School Pupil Residence in July for a week of high quality training before they head out on tour in their respective areas. The Cèilidh Trails were developed as a training opportunity for young people aged sixteen to twenty-five to give them the chance to further develop their playing and performance skills. For more information visitwww.feisean.org/ceilidh-trails/
Fèisgoil: Seirbheis Foghlaim Foirmeil – Formal education service, Fèisean nan Gàidheal
A bharrachd air pròiseactan leantainneach stèidhte air ceòl traidiseanta, bha sgioba Fèisgoil gu math trang le pròiseactan ùra an teirm-sa chaidh leis an dùil gum bi cuid aca fhathast a’ ruith thairis bliadhna-sgoile 2022-2023.
Tha Treòir | Voar | Virr gus a bhith deiseil le 80 sgoil is barrachd na 60 neach-ealain cruthachail an sàs thairis air na mìosan a dh’fhalbh. Tha an sgeulachd aca ri fhaotainn air làrach-lìn FnG.
Gach bliadhna ann an co-obrachadh le ùghdarras ionadail agus An Comunn Gàidhealach, bidh Fèisgoil a’ cur seiseanan seinn air doigh do chlann sa sgìre le ùidh anns na farpaisean co-cheangailte ris na mòdan ionadail agus a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta. Bha sgioba de cheathrar againn am bliadhna le 10 sgoiltean an sàs agus tha sinn airson an seirbheis seo a leasachadh an ath-theirm le cothrom do bharrachd sgoiltean ann an siorrachd Pheairt.
Ged a tha FnG air seiseanan Iomairt Chiùil na h-Òigridh a lìbhrigeadh air a’ Ghàidhealtachd fad 20 bliadhna, anns a’ Chèitean thòisich sinn air seiseanan a lìbhrigeadh anns na h-Eileanan an Iar le seiseanan seinn aghaidh ri aghaidh ann an Uibhist. Tha oide às an Eilean Sgitheanach ach le ceangal do sgìre Uibhist ag obair le clann ann am bun-sgoiltean Uibhist air fad. Thuirt Peigi Nic a’ Phiocair:
“Tha Seinn air cothrom a thoirt do sgoilearan ann an Uibhist a bhith ag ionnsachadh am measg seinn is cluich, an dà chuid do luchd-ionnsachaidh a tha a’ leasachadh an cuid sgilean cànain agus do dh’fhileantaich a fhuair an cothrom a bhith ag ionnsachadh mun cuid dualchas tro òrain. Tha e na thlachd a bhith a’ faicinn mar a tha an cuid misneachd a’ tighinn air adhart agus mar a tha iad a’ cur iogngadh orra fhèin anns an dòigh sa bheil iad an sàs.”
Fèisgoil staff who look after the formal education service run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal (FnG) have been busy this term completing existing projects while also engaging in brand new activity, much of it music related.
This term sees the completion of Treòir | Voar |Virr an ambitious multi-arts project straddling the six local authorities where island schools are based. 80 schools and over 60 creative artists in those island communities took part. You can see the outline of their story through the final showcase video available to watch on the FnG website.
Every year FnG works alongside the organisation who run the National Mòd, the premier competitive festival for Gaelic singing, An Comunn Gàidhealach as well as the local authority in which the National Mòd is due to take place that year. Fèisgoil contracted a team of tutors to deliver online support sessions to 10 schools in Perth & Kinross with the opportunity extended to more schools for the coming term as the Fair City prepares to host the National Mòd in October of this year.
Although FnG has been providing YMI sessions in schools in Highland since its inception 20 years ago, 2022 has seen the first foray into YMI in the Western Isles for the organisation with Gaelic song at the heart of the sessions in Uist primaries delivered in collaboration with CnES. Peigi Macvicar, originally form Skye but with family ties to Uist leads these song sessions. As she explains:
“Seinn has provided an opportunity for pupils in Uist to learn through song and play in two parts to strengthen language skills for learners and to understand more of their local tradition. It’s great to see how pupils surprise themselves in their willingness to engage through song and how their confidence has improved through the weeks”.
Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh | More information: www.feisean.org neo eilidh@feisean.scot
RSNO Young Creatives Project
This project is aimed for musicians who are Grades 4-8 (aged 14-21) and the young people are split into two separate groups. One is for musicians who work closely with our RSNO Musicians throughout the year and the other is for programmers who help to set-up the final showcase concert behind the scenes. Throughout the year, they will learn about everything from stage management to marketing whilst gaining a National 5 Award in Creative Industries. Also, please note that the programmers don’t necessarily need to be musicians, but they must have an interest in creative arts.
I am delighted to say that this is the first-ever free residential side by side course for young people in Scotland! We are planning on going to Gartmore House for the weekend of the 2 to 4 June 23 where the young people will have a fun, sociable experience with our professional RSNO Musicians/Staff. It is a too good opportunity to miss!
Find out more here: https://www.rsno.org.uk/project/young-creatives/
Applications are open from today until Monday 22nd of August.
NYCOS June Updates
Kodály Summer School
Our annual NYCOS Kodály Summer School is back! We welcome delegates from across the globe to find out more about the Kodály approach to music education and network with colleagues over a comprehensive choice of community classes, group lessons, individual sessions and fun inspiring evening activities.
31 July 2022 – 5 August 2022
Fettes College, Carrington Road, Edinburgh EH4 1QX
Open to class teachers, instrumental teachers, students, nursery practitioners, freelance musicians and anyone interested in music education.
Find out more
National Youth Choir of Scotland Tour
The National Youth Choir of Scotland will soon embark on a very exciting and much anticipated four-concert tour across the country in August with its mighty performance of Duruflé’s Requiem, conducted by Artistic Director Christopher Bell. Tickets are now available to book for concerts in Stirling, Inverness, Paisley and Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Find out more
NYCOS Regional Choirs
NYCOS Regional Choirs are very busy, running our annual Summer Concerts across Scotland. Over 950 members are taking part to showcase what they have been working on over the past term. For some of our Junior Choirs, this is the first opportunity they have had to perform live. We are delighted our choirs can hold concerts once again.
NYCOS Wee Sing Sessions
NYCOS is delivering Wee Sing sessions in 14 local authority areas across Scotland including Wester Ross in the Highlands and the Isle of Lewis. So far, over 100 Primary 3 children have enjoyed 5 weeks of singing as a choir, playing singing games and chanting rhymes as part of an after-school club. Find out more here
Upcoming NYCOS Training Events
Musicianship the Kodaly Way
Sunday 19 June 2022 | 10.00 – 16.00
St Modan’s High School, Stirling
Find out more
Go for Silver and Gold Training Weekend
Rankine Hall at Scottish Opera, Glasgow
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August 2022 | 10:00 – 16:00
Find out more
LGBTQ+ in music
June is Pride month, and the ISM is celebrating all LGBTQ+ people working in the music sector. Their new page highlights articles, playlists, and groups celebrating the LGBTQ+ music community, as well as support helplines and information about the ISM’s campaign against discrimination in music.
Find out more: https://www.ism.org/lgbtq-in-music
Discrimination in music survey
The ISM’s new survey on ‘discrimination in the music sector’ is open to everyone who works within the UK music sector, including music educators, and covers all protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010. It is anonymous and only takes a few minutes to complete. The results will help to ensure that all music professionals can work free from discrimination. The survey will close on 27 June.
Take the survey: https://www.ism.org/news/discrimination-in-the-music-sector-survey-launched
ISM welcomes National Plan for Music Education in Wales
The Welsh National Plan for Music Education was released on 17 May. Measures in the plan, which take effect in September, include:
- Funding trebled, with £13.5m invested over the next three years
- A review of music tutors’ terms and conditions
- A ‘First Experiences’ programme to offer children in primary schools a minimum of half a term of musical instrument taster sessions
- A ‘Making Music with Others’ initiative, including opportunities for children and young people in secondary schools to gain industry experience through working alongside musicians and creative industries
- A new national instrument and equipment library to support access to a resource bank to be shared across Wales
The ISM welcomes the measures in the plan, which has been described by Deborah Keyser, former ISM President and Director of Tŷ Cerdd Music Centre Wales, as ‘a very positive ambition’, and represents a huge opportunity to improve music education services across Wales. The additional funding is a meaningful step towards ensuring equality of opportunity, and the ISM also welcomes the decision to review music tutors’ terms and conditions given the increasing insecurity for those working as peripatetic teachers. A system of accountability is essential to ensure the plan is implemented effectively and that there is a demonstrable legacy from initiatives such as the ‘First Experiences’ programme. Overall, however, the plan provides much-needed support for music in Welsh schools.
Find out more: https://www.ism.org/news/npme-wales-launched
Job Opportunity: Engagement Office at SCO (fixed term, full time)
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is looking for an energetic Engagement Officer for a fixed term, full time appointment for 13 months to manage and deliver a wide portfolio of engagement projects taking place during 2022-23.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the SCO’s Creative Learning Team – the focus of the Engagement Officer’s portfolio is on projects with and for children and families, young people and vulnerable individuals, including those living with dementia, their families and carers. Specific projects include a family-focused concert as part of the annual Family Festival, ReConnect, our programme for people living with dementia and their carers and Vibe, our creative music-making programme for young people, including New Vibe which works with young people with moderate to severe mental health issues.
The Engagement Officer will also deliver ongoing project activity within the Greater Craigmillar community and maintain and develop mutually beneficial relationships with community groups and organisations to support the SCO’s five-year residency in this community.
For more information and how to apply head to: www.sco.org.uk/jobs/engagement-officer
Enter into a new orchestral sound world with SCO’s Immerse
Free Schools Concert
Tuesday 20 September | Musselburgh Brunton Theatre
Wednesday 21 September | Troon Town Hall
Thursday 22 September | Dumfries Easterbrook Hall
All concerts at 1 – 2.15pm.
Immerse (previously known as Masterworks) is SCO’s flagship full-orchestra project that enables upper secondary school music pupils to experience the excitement of a live orchestra up close in concert.
Immerse 2022 will feature Sound and Fury by Anna Clyne, and a new suite of short pieces by up-and-coming women composers currently taking part in the SCO’s New Stories mentoring scheme with Anna. Introduced by Rachel Leach, the concert includes live projection of the orchestra on a large screen and features a young actor performing a Macbeth soliloquy during Sound and Fury.
Immerse is offered free to all schools.
Sign up now at www.sco.org.uk/immerse
Repertoire
GEORGINA MACDONELL FINLAYSON Crashed Foam and Pale Light (5′)
GILLIAN WALKER Saat I De Blöd (5′)
ELECTRA PERIVOLARIS A Wave Breaking (5′)
ANNA CLYNE Sound and Fury (17′)
Free Music Workshops for Young Musicians aged 16-23yrs from Chamber Music Scotland and The Sound Lab
Improv Ensemble are running two free workshops in July for young musicians aged 16-23yrs in the Glasgow area funded by Chamber Music Scotland in association with The Sound Lab. Travel costs for participants will be covered and lunches provided.
The music intensives will be held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with a final performance at CCA, Glasgow.
Workshop 1
Monday 11th July 10am-4pm RCS
Tuesday 12th July 10am-4pm RCS
Wednesday 13th July 2pm-4pm RCS, 5:30-8pm CCA
Workshop 2
Monday 25th July 10am-4pm RCS
Tuesday 26th July 10am-4pm RCS
Wednesday 27th July 2pm-4pm RCS, 5:30-8pm CCA
REGISTRATION IS OPEN until 04 July 2022. Please indicate which of the intensives you would like to attend by completing the sign up form here.
Echoes Concert – Drake Music Scotland and the Hebrides Ensemble
Tuesday 14th June 7pm at The Queen’s Hall Edinburgh
Following the award-winning success of Diversions in 2019, Drake Music Scotland and the Hebrides Ensemble are excited to announce their new concert Echoes celebrating disabled composers and showcasing 9 brand new works commissioned for the occasion. It takes place in Edinburgh’s renowned Queen’s Hall on Tuesday 14th June, starting at 7pm.
The concert is curated by composer Ben Lunn, who has a number of exciting composition projects underway as well as being Drake Music Scotland’s Associate Composer, Hebrides Ensemble’s Trainee Artistic Director, and co-ordinator of the UK-wide Disabled Artist Network. Echoes follows the cutting-edge format used in Diversions by cultivating an accessible concert environment to allow audiences members both disabled and non-disabled to feel relaxed while engaging with serious contemporary music.
Says Lunn, “I wanted to demonstrate that this was not a one-off event, but a new approach that can be used more widely to encourage audiences unfamiliar with this exciting music to feel welcome in the contemporary classical music space”. He continues, “I also wanted to make sure that I celebrated even more disabled composers, really underlining just how diverse and adventurous the community is”.
Part of the role of Ben Lunn as Drake Music Scotland’s Associate Composer is to mentor members of the Digital Orchestra and the Disabled Artist Network. This involves a wide range of development activities including commissioning other artists both experienced and emerging, composition workshops especially around developing compositional ideas for the accessible music technologies we use that give access to disabled musicians such as iPads and Brainfingers, career development advice, signposting and supporting people to apply for opportunities.
For further information contact Thursa Sanderson CEO or Pete Sparkes Artistic Director at Drake Music Scotland
NEW FOR 2022 – Figurenotes at Your Fingertips
Figurenotes is an alternative form of notation that uses colour and shape to show pitch and rhythm.The adaptability and instant accessibility of this notation produces incredible results while making students feel confident and motivated.
Along with our revolutionary notation software which is now web-based, we offer an abundance of resources in our FAM (Figurenotes Accessible Music) Hub to make it as easy as possible for you to teach and for students to learn to play music using Figurenotes.
NEW notation software
Our brand new Figurenotes software has all the elements you already know and love from the current software but with some added improvements.
What’s included?
- Figurenotes can be used on internet-enabled tablets for mobility
- Our software is bought on subscription meaning you never have to worry about updating or buying new software
- Import existing tunes in a range of formats, meaning you don’t need to start from scratch. Adapt your current teaching resources into Figurenotes easily
- It’s screen-reader compatible meaning it’s accessible to more students
…and so much more! Visit the Figurenotes website for more information.
Our NEW Accessible Music Hub
Our new hub is packed full of resources to help you teach Figurenotes. Our online resource library includes tunes, tutorials, worksheets, plugins, training, lesson plans and more! Featuring material from the Figurenotes team and the Figurenotes global community, there is something for everyone. Contribute your own resources to the community library to share what’s worked well with other teachers.
Choose from two subscription levels. More Info
The best bit? Funds from Figurenotes products go straight back into Drake Music Scotland, the nation’s leading charitable arts organisation enabling disabled musicians to learn, play, compose and perform at every level. With thanks to our funders, ScottishPower Foundation and Creative Informatics, who made this possible
Get free classroom materials by logging your sheet music
All state schools across Scotland automatically have a Schools Printed Music Licence (SPML), funded by the Scottish Government, meaning that schools can legally photocopy and arrange music for curricular and extra-curricular music activity. Schools are required to report data on any printed music that is being copied and arranged on an easy-to-access online portal HERE. This can be done on a termly basis, saving teachers’ time. Submission deadlines for 2022-2023 are:
- No later than Thursday 22nd December 2022
- No later than Thursday 6th April 2023
- No later than Thursday 27th July 2023
Every Copy Counts is a campaign to raise awareness of the SPML and the requirements. Teachers can access a range of information, guidance and resources to support them with meeting the terms of the licence, including drop-in events to have any questions answered. Find out more in this short film and visit www.everycopycounts.co.uk/events to book onto a drop-in event. Through schools effectively sharing data, the composers, songwriters and arrangers of the music get fairly paid. To find out more visit www.everycopycounts.co.uk and follow @EveryCopyCounts to join a community of educators supporting fairness in printed music copyright. You can download the Every Copy Counts ‘How to Guide’ here.
StAMP Virtual Conservatoire
Taking place on 7 May, the Virtual Conservatoire extends StAMP and the aims and principles that underpin it to brass players of all ages and stages from anywhere in the world.
Programme includes:
1400-1410 Mindfulness for Musicians with Lee Holland: a participative introduction
1410-1420 Playing by Ear with Richard Michael
1420-1430 Virtual play along with The Wallace Collection*
1430-1450 Add some music to your day: accessing creativity and communication in music with Professor Raymond MacDonald, University of Edinburgh*
1450-1530 Recent Discoveries from the 19th Century by The Wallace Collection, including virtual play along**
1530-1600 Howard Snell in conversation with The Wallace Collection
For more details and to register, visit the StAMP website.
Scottish Young Musicians National Final
The Scottish Young Musicians National Final on Sunday 29thMay is fast approaching and there is an air of excitement as each local authority completes its competition to nominate its finalist for the all-day event at the RCS. We have been impressed by the support and enthusiasm of all and by the talent displayed by the incredible young musicians. To get this far during a Covid year has surprised many, but here we are on the cusp of putting something new and we hope worthwhile on Scotland’s music map.
There will be 22 young musicians represented at the final, one from each of the LAs taking part and one from the independent schools. Those LAs that could not take part because of Covid intend to join next year. As it’s been our first year, we’ve been flexible as to how the competitions have been run. Some have opted for school competitions leading to a local authority final, whilst other have gone directly to the final stage. The goal has always been to have as many students as possible participating in every school in Scotland and SYM is there to help everyone achieve this.
We are honoured to have Nicola Benedetti welcome everyone to a finale which will have Jamie MacDougall keep the pace as master of ceremonies. We are equally proud to have a panel adjudicator of international standing Christopher Bell, Heather Nicoll, Aaron Shorr as well as Jennifer Pike.
The support offered by the donors of prizes has been incredible. As well as the overall winner receiving the commissioned and donated trophy of the Maid of Morven by Scotland’s acclaimed sculptor, Alexander Stoddart, the intention has been to offer career changing experiences as well as practical prizes purchased from prize monies.
We are enormously grateful not just to those who have donated prizes but to the effort put into the inventiveness of what these prizes could achieve for the young winners. Many of Scotland’s great orchestras and ensembles have offered experiences including the RSNO, SCO, Scottish Ensemble and The Dunedin Consort. The music conservatoires The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the hosts of the final, and Trinity Laban have both embraced the offering. Lastly, many of the suppliers of music equipment to young people including Stringers, Band Supplies and Haydock Music have been most generous.
The national final will be graced by an exciting performance by Stranraer Brass Ensemble, the winner of this year’s Scottish Young Musician’s Brass Ensemble of the Year following a hotly contested competition.
To find out more visit www.scottishyoungmusicians.com
North Edinburgh Community Festival
The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a free, family friendly and community-led event taking place for the first time in West Pilton Park and the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 7 May 2022 from 12noon – 6pm.
This is a day to celebrate all the amazing talent and opportunities in North Edinburgh, with over 100 organisations, groups and individuals living and working in the area offering free activities, stalls, and performances!
Visit their Facebook page for more details.
Tinderbox Orchestra announce summer tour
Tinderbox Collective have announced their Summer Orchestra tour to venues and festivals across Scotland. Dates include:
- 7 May – North Edinburgh Community Festival
- 21 May – Knockengorroch Festival (Galloway)
- 22 May – Mac Arts (Galashiels)
- 12 June – Hidden Door Festival (Edinburgh)
- 18 June – Solas Festival (Perthshire)
- 3 July – Kelburn Garden Party (Largs)
Visit the Tinderbox Collective Facebook page for more info.
SScOT Summer Course 2022
A holiday like no other – The Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust’s summer courses are a unique opportunity for children to make friends, expand their musical horizons and develop a love of group music-making which will last a lifetime!
SScOT’s summer residential course is a non-auditioned, six-day activity holiday including a mixture of outstanding musical teaching, sport and art sessions, and social activities.
The summer course is open to any child aged 9-15, who plays an orchestral or wind band instrument at Grade 2 to Grade 8 level and beyond. There are no auditions for any of our events and full bursaries are available.
The end of course concert will take place in the New Auditorium, RSNO Centre, Glasgow, 16th July.
Booking can be made online at wwww.sscot.org.uk
Fèisean across the country returns!
Fèisean across the country made a welcome return to in-person activities during the Easter holidays after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. A number of week-long tuition events, workshop days and concerts were held during the school break, welcoming hundreds of excited young people to learn traditional music, Gaelic song, drama and art from highly skilled tutors, all of which were organised by volunteer-led committees.
During the pandemic Fèisean embraced technology and continued to deliver vast programmes of tuition with regular online lessons and workshops, keeping participants engaged and providing employment opportunities for tutors who lost other sources of income. This has been a positive step for Fèisean, with many additional skills gained by committees and tutors and the young people who were able to access these opportunities.
With restrictions being eased, the opportunity for Fèisean to return to face-to-face activities is very much welcomed by committees, tutors and participants alike.
In the run-up to these in-person Easter fèisean, Development Manager at Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Calum Alex MacMillan said:
“Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to be supporting Fèisean as they make a return to in-person events over the Easter holidays. Covid has caused so many events and activities to be cancelled and postponed, with our young people missing out on so much. Although the focus of the Fèisean is tuition in the traditional Gaelic arts, they provide much more than that, giving young people and their communities, opportunities to come together and learn, socialise, develop skills and knowledge of their local culture as well as supporting the local economy. It is fantastic to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the Fèis committees and we wish them every success with their upcoming events”.
The following events took place over the Easter break:
2nd April
Fèis Phaislig Easter Concert – Paisley
4 & 5th April
Fèis Obar Dheathain – Aberdeen
4th – 8th April
Fèis an Earraich – Skye & Lochalsh
Fèis Latharna – Oban
Fèis Rois Oigridh – Ross-shire
8th April
Fèis a’ Bhaile Easter Fèis Day – Inverness
8th & 9th April
Luach – Lewis & Harris
11th – 15th April
Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh – Isle of Lewis
Chaidh Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh a chumail eadar 11 – 15 Giblean 2022 ann an Nis ann an Eilean Leòdhais. Bha com-pàirtichean eadar aois 4 – 18 an lathair agus chòrd e ris a h-uile duine a bhith air ais còmhla aghaidh ri aghaidh. Bha tòrr spòrs a’ dol!
Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh took place between 11-15th April 2022 in Ness in the Isle of Lewis. It was very well attended by participants aged 4-18 and everyone was delighted to be back together face to face again.
Fèisgoil activities continue with almost all provision now happening face-to-face in school classrooms as well as continuing to embrace outdoor learning where appropriate.
For more information on Fèisean nan Gàidheal events visit www.feisean.org or find us on facebook.com/feisean
Be A Chorister Afternoon
Be A Chorister Afternoon, we are looking for children in P3 -P5 at the moment. Being a chorister, and part of the award-winning Choir of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, is to be part of a unique tradition that began in 1880. Around 16 boys and girls make up the chorister element of the Choir and over a five-year period they receive an exceptional music and academic education, divided between St Mary’s Cathedral and St Mary’s Music School.
In this special afternoon, we aim to give children and parents an insight into what life is like as a chorister. We welcome Primary Pupils P3-P5 who enjoy singing for a special opportunity to participate alongside the Choristers of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
This is a FREE event
open for registrations Friday 6th May 2:30pm – 6:10.pm book now https://bit.ly/BACA5 The award-winning Choir of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, is a unique tradition that began in 1880. stmarysmusicschool.co.uk
Taster Day – FREE event Sunday 29th May 11:00am – 3:30pm
Come and take a peek behind the curtains, and see what it is like to be a pupil here at St. Mary’s Music School
Make Music Day 2022: 21 June
What are you doing on Make Music Day, Tuesday 21 June? If your classes and groups are learning, playing or performing on that day, you can connect your musical activity to this global celebration. Find out all about Make Music Day
Make Music Day takes place annually on the summer solstice and celebrates music making in 130 countries all over the world. Anyone and any activity can be part of it, just by making music for other people to enjoy for free. From gardens and playgrounds to city squares and concert halls, musicians and audiences come together to celebrate and shout about the music in their communities.
However, you want to celebrate, list your event on the Make Music Day UK website to connect and promote your activity. You can list online activity, or a closed event with no access to the general public. As long as there is no fee to watch or take part, listings are not curated and there is no closing date. There are logos and video logos to brand your event and you can connect on social media by tagging @MakeMusicDayUK and using #MakeMusicDayUK and #MakeMusicDay.
Your musicians will see their event as one of hundreds taking place in the UK and tens of thousands across the globe. And they can watch some of these as part of our online broadcast, or maybe live in their community – search by location.
If you’re looking for inspiration, there are projects and themes to attach to. This year these include:
- Make Music Day playlist – 16 upbeat, feel-good songs with free resources provided by Hal Leonard Europe: arrangements for piano, voice and guitar, SATB choir, and chords and lyrics.
- Global Folk Challenge – post a traditional song or tune in a digital pot and pick one out from another country or culture to learn.
- Fete at 40 – celebrating 40 years of the event which originated in France with French music and hook ups with twin towns and other auld alliances.
- On location – film or photograph a performance with a great backdrop to show off
We’ve bespoke support to help you get the most out of your connection. Alison Reeves is the Scotland Development Project Manager, contact her directly scotland@makemusicday.co.uk. Come along to a meet-up or workshop – one for schools and youth groups is planned in May, so keep checking listings. And check out our resources, including guides on live-streaming and making videos with only your phone.
Scotland has always been the busiest part of the UK on Make Music Day so join the party and celebrate with the world!
Live Music Now Scotland announces Traditional Tales for Tiny People as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022
- Live Music Now Scotland launches Traditional Tales for Tiny People in both Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022
- Aimed at early years children and their families, the sessions will feature tales and music from the Orkney islands & the Western Isles
- Inspired by Scottish traditional music and folklore Traditional Tales for Tiny People will support early years and their families post-pandemic
Live Music Now Scotland is excited to announce Traditional Tales for Tiny People as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Bringing the traditional stories, language and music of the Orkney islands and the Western Isles to early years and families, Traditional Tales for Tiny People will feature live performances from some of Live Music Now Scotland’s emerging professional musicians.
Not only are these musicians some of the country’s most talented, but they are also specially trained and experienced in working with early years audiences and families. Lasting 45 minutes, each session will feature two musicians who will perform a range of songs and tell stories that reflect nature, family, culture, tradition and much more besides.
Working with two locally engaged community venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Live Music Now Scotland hopes that the initiative will bring the known benefits of music and storytelling to early years and families who have, in large part due to the pandemic, had little or no opportunity to experience it before. As research suggests, storytelling plays an important role in allowing early years to understand and navigate the world around them, as well as how to interact with others, and these are skills that these sessions will look to nurture.
In Edinburgh, sessions will take place on a Sunday afternoon at Holy Cross Church in Davidson’s Mains. Lasting 45 minutes, these participatory sessions will be led by three alternating LMNS musicians who were all born and raised on the windy planes of the Orkney islands and grew up listening to the region’s traditional tales and tunes – Aidan Moodie (guitar), Graham Rorie (fiddle) and Owen Sinclair (guitar) .
In Glasgow, Sunday morning sessions will take place at Partickhill Bowling and Community Club and will feature the vocals of Josie Duncan, Kaitlin Ross, and Catherine Tinney, all of whom hail from the Western Isles. Told in a combination of Gaelic, English and Scots, their tales will tell of nature, people and places, families and relationships, and the stories that are embedded in society and retold many times as part of traditional social occasions, including waulking songs and Puirt à beul (a traditional form of song native to Scotland).
Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “Storytelling not only enhances knowledge and memory recall while supporting early literacy development, but it also has the ability to build a greater sense of community, which is something we all need just now, not least young children who would have, pre-pandemic, had far more opportunity to regularly engage with their peers.
With Traditional Tales for Tiny People, we hope to not only facilitate this interaction and provide support for families as we emerge from the pandemic, but also to keep the wonderful tunes and tales of Scottish folklore alive.”
For more information, dates, and to book please contact:
Holy Cross Church – families.hce@gmail.com
Partick Hill Bowling Club – musicatthegreen@gmail.com
Edinburgh, 2pm, Holy Cross Church
| 1st May 2022 | Owen Sinclair & Josie Duncan |
| 5th June 2022 | Owen Sinclair & Josie Duncan |
| 3rd July 2022 | Graham Rorie & Aidan Moodie |
| 7th August 2022 | Owen Sinclair & Robbie Greig |
| 4th September 2022 | Graham Rorie & Aidan Moodie |
| 2nd October 2022 | Owen Sinclair & Robbie Greig |
Glasgow, 11am, Partickhill Bowling Club
| 22nd May 2022 | Kaitlin Ross & Catriona Hawksworth |
| 12th June 2022 | Kaitlin Ross & Catriona Hawksworth |
| 11th September 2022 | Kaitlin Ross & Catriona Hawksworth |
| 16th October 2022 | Josie Duncan & Catherine Tinney |
| 20th November 2022 | Catherine Tinney & Calum Morrison |
| 18th December 2022 | Catherine Tinney & Calum Morrison |
SCO Summer Touring Creative Learning Activity
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is delighted to be presenting two Creative Learning residencies as part of its summer tour season 2022.
First stop in the Highlands. Alongside chamber concerts, SCO players will entertain young people with Stan and Mabel and the Race for Space at Eden Court Theatre and Elgin Town Hall and there will also be a Come and Play opportunity for amateur musicians to play core orchestral repertoire alongside the musicians.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra then brings fun for all ages to the Shetland Isles. There will be workshops in primary schools, Big Ears, Little Ears concerts for 0–3-year-olds and their grown-ups and a full VIBE weekend course – a group music-making project for teenagers who play any instrument, at any level or in any genre. Head to the SCO What’s on page to see how you can Join In!
ISM Guidance: Living with COVID-19
As we move away from COVID-19 restrictions in all four UK nations, some music professionals may be concerned about the ongoing risks associated with the spread of the virus. The ISM has put together an advice page which offers suggestions for managing the risk of spreading and/or catching COVID-19 during your work in music.
ISM survey results: Teaching, examining and accompanying rates
The results of the ISM’s most recent annual survey of music educators’ fees have been published. Music professionals can use them to see what others are charging for their services in their area.
View the results
Youth Music Initiative Funding
Round 1 of the Access to Music Making Fund is now open for applications.
The purpose of the Access to Music Making fund is to create access to high-quality music-making opportunities for children and young people aged 0-25 years (or, aged over 25 if they are disabled and/or care experienced).
Who Can Apply
Applications to the Access to Music Making fund can come from organisations and individuals based in Scotland or who are delivering programmes within Scotland for the benefit of children and young people of Scotland.
Organisations already in receipt of Regular Funding from Creative Scotland can apply but should discuss your intention to apply for funding with your lead officer in the first instance. Applications will be required to demonstrate why the proposed activity is additional to your existing funding agreement and how the activity enhances current and future plans.
Music Mark Relaunch “A Common Approach”
Twenty years after its original publication, Music Mark has refreshed and relaunched A Common Approach, available now in digital format.
A Common Approach is an online resource to support music educators in their teaching practice and help develop a holistic approach to music education. In order to be as useful as possible for teachers across the UK, A Common Approach has also been mapped against school curricula, including the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland. Relevant to all vocal and instrumental teaching, including individual, small-group, large-group and whole-class lessons, music educators at all stages of their career can use the support and shared learning found in A Common Approach. Take a look here.
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