SQA Music Assignment Catalogue
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A busy summer and autumn for Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Link to FnG website available here.
Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal air crìoch a chur air samhradh trang le Fèisean agus tachartasan air feadh Alba. Tha a’ bhuidheann a-nise a’ coimhead air adhart ri obair a bharrachd a thoirt gu buil sna mìosan a tha romhainn ann an coimhearsnachdan agus sgoiltean na dùthcha.
Fèisean
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to have had a very busy summer with Fèisean and community events happening across Scotland including Fèis Chataibh (Sutherland), Fèis Eilean na Hearadh (Harris), Fèis na h-Òige (Inverness), Fèis Thiriodh (Tiree), Fèis Tìr an Eòrna (North Uist) Fèis Eige (Eigg) Fèis Bharraigh (Barra), Fèis nan Garbh Chrìochan (Ardnamurchan) Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain (South Uist), Fèis air an Oir (Bettyhill), Fèis Phàislig (Paisley), Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich (Stornoway), Fèis Thròndairnis (Trotternish), Fèis Arainn (Arran), Fèis an Rubha (Point), Fèis Lannraig a Tuath (Cumbernauld) and Fèis Lochabair (Fort William).
After a couple of years of years of disruption due to Covid regulations, we are really happy to see the Fèisean growing again with healthy numbers of participants. We are delighted Fèis an Iar Thuath will hold their first event in a number of years on Saturday 2nd September in Achiltibuie Hall. In October, we look forward to Fèis Spè (Badenoch & Strathspey) and Fèis a’ Bhaile (Inverness) and Fèis Thatha (Aberfeldy) will be holding an event in November.
The Fuaran project is also running at the moment with a group of six singers, aged 16-25, recording in Cromarty at the end of August. Fuaran is a heritage initiative established by Fèisean nan Gàidheal to encourage a new generation of Gaelic speakers and singers to actively engage in the research and collection of Gaelic songs in their local area. The singers will have the opportunity to record with a professional team and will also attend workshops with Julie Fowlis, Eamon Doorley and Ewen Henderson.
With support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Colmcille fund we will be working with partners in Ireland to arrange an exchange visit for Gaelic-speaking children aged 14-18. The cultural exchange will involve various musical and language workshops as well as informal music sessions and performances.
Fèisgoil
Fèisgoil is the formal education service from Fèisean nan Gàidheal and delivers projects related to language development, drama and, of course, music. Most projects take place in collaboration with individual schools although we also work at local authority level supporting councils and other public bodies in their delivery of Gaelic Language Plans.
The summer months are traditionally quieter within Fèisgoil as schools enjoy their summer break and Fèisgoil staff plan and prepare new resources for the year ahead, as well as delivering Sgoil Shamhraidh Dràma, the drama summer school.
As part of the YMI (Youth Music Initiative) and Sporan (support for schools learning Gaelic as an additional language through drama) 2023-24 initiatives, Fèisgoil is keen to promote the work of Gaelic bàrd, Duncan Bàn Macintyre (1724-1812), best known for his songs concerned with the natural environment. All children in Highland schools (P5/6) will be offered the chance to learn one of his songs to celebrate 300 years of his compositions with opportunities to cover many other aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence opening up discussion on outdoor pursuits and re-wilding among many other topics.
Seinn, our support for Gaelic singing among all nursery and primary age children in Uist and Barra schools is underway once more and song resources gathered from last year’s provision, along with all our other song and tune resources, are available through our website by visiting Fèisgoil’s music pages, YMI in particular and clicking on the any of the resources available there.
Tabhaich is a new initiative funded by the Scottish Government through Argyll and Bute Council where local residents and visitors to the isles of Coll, Tiree and Bute, along with schoolchildren, will be given the opportunity to learn some Gaelic and broaden their own background knowledge of the connections between language, place and culture in those three islands. Music, and particularly Gaelic song, will play a central role in the delivery of this project.
Blas Festival
Blas means ‘taste’ or ‘sample’ and is organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with The Highland Council. The festival will support 25 concerts and cèilidhs in early September as well as an online offering which will include workshops, Gaelic song sessions and livestreamed concerts.
Homegrown talent is always at the forefront of the festival, which celebrates Gaelic music and culture during its nine-day event across the Highlands, and another important aspect of the festival, which has been running since 2004, is providing exciting performing opportunities for the next generation of young traditional musicians.
The festival will open with a special concert in Inverness Cathedral on 1st September featuring two young brother and sister duos; one from the Black Isle, Donaidh and Peigi Barker, and the other, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, from the west coast of Ireland. For the opening night concert they will be joined by Binneas, a Gaelic harmony collective featuring Gaelic and folk singers from across Scotland, led by Gaelic singer John Joe MacNeil, and Jenna Cumming, Inverness-born award-winning Gaelic singer.
Young musicians from Fèisean across the Highlands and Islands will make appearances at concerts and cèilidhs throughout the festival, including youngsters from a number of Fèisean. The festival will finish with a Ceòl nam Fèis concert, to be held in Lochaber to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the local Fèis, and will see young people from Fèisean come together from across the country to celebrate the movement which has, for over 40 years, provided tuition in traditional music to young people.
Other young musicians performing during the festival include double Royal National Mòd Gold medallist, Ruairidh Gray; harpist, singer, composer and Mòd Gold medallist, Màiri Callan; Highland composer, flute, whistle and piano player, James Bauld; and piper, fiddler, composer and instrument maker, Malin Lewis.
The full programme of events can be found at www.blas.scot along with details of how to purchase tickets.
Upcoming events from SAME
SAME is delighted to bring you two events at the start of September to support music educators across Scotland. The 2nd September sees the return to our first live event post-COVID, then our online provision continues with the third in a series of webinars by Rosie Randall on 7th September.
Full Description SAME Conference 25
SAME is excited to now be in the final stages of preparation for our first post-COVID live event, returning with a slimmed down version of our conference, taking place at Dollar Academy on Saturday 2nd September.
The morning is given over to a primary focus and the afternoon to a secondary one. Each session (morning and afternoon) consists of three options and two time-slots. Delegates will choose two one-hour options with the bonus of a full and lively opening session to inspire all. A small exhibition will complement the day’s activities.
We are delighted to host sessions with Kate Picken, Ivy Partridge, Hazel Duff and Donna Minto for our Primary focus, and Matthew Brown, Oliver Searle, Greg Brown and Yvonne Lyon for our Secondary focus.
Places are limited and filling up fast so please click here to view the brochure and to make a booking:
http://same.org.uk/conferences/
Arranging for a Large Ensemble
The third and final webinar in our series of interactive webinars looking at ways to develop and differentiate arrangements for the BGE Music Classroom with Rosie Randall, takes place on Thursday 7th September at 7.00pm. In this final session, attendees will look at basic skills in arranging for larger ensembles. This session will focus on developing your own skills as well as developing techniques to support your pupils. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, engage with a supportive community of teachers and share resources with each other. This webinar will also provide you with skills to assist you in teaching arranging and composition to your pupils. Ticket holders will receive a recording of the webinar plus a resource pack to assist you in creating your own arrangements. Prior attendance at webinars 1 and 2 is not a requirement.
Please follow the link to make a booking: http://same.org.uk/events/webinars/
NYOS applications to open on 5 September!
Applications are now open for our two national orchestras. NYOS, formerly called NYOS Symphony Orchestra, is open to musicians aged 14-22 years playing at Grade 8 standard upwards. NYOS Development returns for its sophomore year and is looking for applicants aged 11-18 years playing at Grade 5-8 standard. Auditions are free and bursaries for up to 100% of fees are available.
NYOS is Scotland’s national youth orchestra – 100 talented young musicians, performing at an exceptionally high level under the guidance of expert tutors and internationally renowned conductors and soloists. In Spring, Catherine Larsen-Maguire, our newly appointed Music Director, will conduct an American-themed programme featuring works by Gershwin, Bernstein, and Jennifer Higdon. In Summer, under the baton of Teresa Riveiro-Böhm, the orchestra will present a world premiere of a piano trio concerto by Swedish composer Andrea Tarrodi performed by the Amatis Trio, and Stravinsky’s Petrushka.
NYOS Development, for those keen to develop their orchestral experience in the company of other highly motivated young musicians, welcomes back Natalia Luis-Bassa to build upon the fantastic work she did with the ensemble in 2023. The brilliant young Scottish-Nigerian trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, fresh from his performance at the King’s coronation, will join the orchestra in Spring to perform Tomasi’s Trumpet Concerto, alongside works by Verdi, Missy Mazzoli and Arturo Márquez. In summer, the orchestra performs another challenging programme, centred around Sibelius’s soaring Symphony No. 1.
Auditions are free and we have a small discretionary travel bursary fund to support those in financial need who wish to audition in person. No young person who successfully auditions for a NYOS orchestra will miss out due to financial circumstances, and we have a robust bursary scheme which can support young people with course fees. Full details available on our website.
Young musicians interested in applying to be part of NYOS or NYOS Development can find full details on our website.
Govan’s musical ecosystem grows apace
The Glasgow Barons, in partnership with Glasgow CREATE, have instigated a year of Baby Strings, the council initiative for delivering weekly whole class string lessons for P1-5, to Riverside Primary in Govan. They share a campus with St Saviours, who started Baby Strings through us last year. We pay for the lessons and bring in our resident string quartet, The Four Barons, to show pupils all instruments together. At the end of the academic year, both schools get a final side by side concert with Glasgow Barons players, including hits selected by the pupils of each class, played by us (e.g. George Ezra’s Shotgun). We’ll also bring together the school choirs and Hazelwood school for pupils with complex learning needs for two mass choir events: The Govan Winter Gathering in December, and Govan Music Festival in March. Over the year, we work with each school to fill specific gaps in provision and raise the bar across the area, building sustained ability for more ambitious future projects. Our 19 piece street orchestra will visit every Govan school for a fourth time since 2020.
Read an article on our Baby Strings initiative in The Strad here.
Sonappa continues to deliver the We Make Music – Digital Award!
It’s been a wonderful time for music making at Sonappa this term!
Many teachers and students in schools across Scotland are currently using Sonappa to begin their music making adventure.
More than 10 schools have completed the We Make Music – Digital Award across a range of local authorities, and around 250 young people have received certificates for their musical accomplishments!
Sonappa tutors have visited lots of schools since January to help deliver the award and to conduct unique masterclasses for students.
As we approach the summer break, the Sonappa team will continue working to increase the quality and scope of the educational resource, as well as introducing an exciting new Sonappa app.
We hope that even more schools embark on the We Make Music – Digital Award, offered by the Music Education Partnership Group! Our aim is to show every teacher and student in Scotland that there is no barrier to music making, thanks to innovative apps like Garageband and Bandlab.
Thanks for reading! Best wishes,
The Sonappa Team
Spotlight On… ABRSM
As a charity, ABRSM makes significant financial contributions towards music education initiatives, and offers CPD, training and support to music education professionals. ABRSM works in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, as well as three other national Conservatoires in the UK – the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Northern College of Music – to invest in the next generation of teachers, performers, composers and leaders. ABRSM collaborates with these partners in developing skills, resources and leadership in the sector, to open up access and opportunities to progress, to drive diversity and inclusion, and to be champions for music learning in all its forms.
ABRSM believes that everyone should have access to a high-quality music education, and through their exam syllabus, look to nurture a love for music, and to inspire achievement in it.
ABRSM Exams
See Also: Western European Art Music, Jazz, Traditional Music, Musial Theatre, Instrumental Specialism, Vocal, Online.
ABRSM offers graded music exams across a wide range of instruments at Grades 1 – 8, as well as Initial Grade for Piano and Bowed Strings. There are two routes for learners to choose from: Practical Grades are live, face-to-face exams, in which candidates prepare three pieces and a range of supporting tests (scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural) to demonstrate all-round musicianship; Performance Grades are digital exams, in which candidates submit a continuous-take performance of four pieces of music, which may include a free choice piece. Music Theory exams are available at Grades 1 – 8, with Grades 1 – 5 available as online, on-demand exams. Jazz exams in a range of instruments are available at Grades 1 – 5. ABRSM also has a suite of advanced diplomas in performance, music direction and instrumental/vocal teaching. This framework accommodates a wide range of ages and stages of musical ability.
ABRSM published its marking criteria on its website and these can be a great tool for both teachers and learners to understand what examiners are assessing.
Exams are delivered in three ways:
Practical Grades (Face-to-face)
https://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/instrumental-and-singing-exams/practical-grades/
Performance Grades (Digital)
https://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/
Theory (Online)
https://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/online-theory/
ABRSM Supports exams on the following instruments/areas:
- Piano
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Descant Recorder
- Treble Recorder
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- Horn
- Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn
- E Flat Horn
- Trombone
- Baritone And Euphonium
- Bass Trombone
- Tuba
- Harp (Pedal)
- Harp (Non-Pedal)
- Percussion (Combined)
- Snare Drum
- Timpani
- Tuned Percussion
- Singing
- Musical Theatre
- Organ
- Harpsichord
- Keyboard
- Guitar
- Jazz Piano
- Jazz Flute
- Jazz Clarinet
- Jazz Saxophone
- Jazz Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn
- Music Theory
- Practical Musicianship
Group Assessments
- Ensembles
- Choral Singing
- Jazz Ensembles
To find out more, please visit the ABRSM Website.
Online Resources and Apps
See Also: Western European Art Music, Jazz, Traditional Music, Musical Theatre, Primary, Secondary, Instrumental Specialism, Vocal, Online.
In addition to providing the syllabus and framework for the graded exam system, ABRSM has also developed a range of innovative and useful practice aids that are available as app downloads on smartphones or tablets, with some available on desktop platforms. These apps allow learners to practise with exam accompaniments, often at different tempos and pitches, to develop their sight reading skills with a range of exercises, and to refine and structure scale and exercise practice.
Aural Trainer allows learners to develop their ear, developing pitch and interval recognition, and helps with sight-singing, while Speedshifter allows accompaniments to be sped up or slowed down without changing pitch. All available apps are listed below, with links.
Teacher Support
See Also: Western European Art Music, Primary, Secondary, Instrumental Specialism, Vocal, Online, CPD.
ABRSM Teacher Hub exists for practising music educators to enhance and develop their skills. Teacher Hub offers a range of courses, resources and forums to inspire and support classroom teachers, peripatetic instrumental instructors and beyond. Teacher Hub can also be for musicians who are looking to enter the teaching profession for the first time, as well as those already teaching. As well as a library of downloadable publications and audio resources, Teacher Hub also offers Training and events, both online and face-to-face. For more information, follow the link below:
Classroom 200
Classroom 200 is ABRSM’s free online resource for school teachers working with leaners up to the age of 14 across the world. Featuring 200 recordings of inspiring music in a range of styles, plus accompanying lesson plans, Classroom 200 is all about bringing music to life in the classroom.
Classroom 200 helps teachers with:
- Exploring a world of inspirational music – there are 200 pieces to get stuck into.
- Encouraging creativity in the classroom, supported by a diverse range of musical styles.
- Planning is made easy with ready-made lesson plans, resources and activities
- Linking activities in the classroom directly with the Model Music Curriculum, the Curriculum for Wales, the Curriculum for Excellence, and the National Curriculum in Northern Ireland.
Sign up for free: www.classroom200.org
Reinvestment in Music Education
Exam Discount Scheme for UK Music Services
See Also: Western European Art Music, Jazz, Traditional Music, Musical Theatre, Instrumental Specialism, Vocal, Online.
ABRSM’s Exam Discount Scheme intends to make ABRSM music exams more accessible, by mitigating some of the financial barriers that learners in the UK may face. ABRSM has been running the second pilot phase since February 2023 and will continue until July 2024. The scheme is being administered by Music Mark, the UK’s subject association for music education, and discounts are only available through instrumental music services.
Discounts can be used for the following exams:
- Instrumental and singing – Prep Test, Practical Grades (Initial to Grade 8), Performance Grades (Initial to Grade 8), ARSM diploma and Performance Assessment
- Music Theory – Grades 1 to 5 (online) and Grades 6 to 8 (paper-based)
More information is available on the Music Mark website and in the Exam Discount Scheme Operating Guidelines.
https://gb.abrsm.org/en/about-us/our-reinvestment-in-music-education/exam-discount-scheme/
Scholarships
See Also: Western European Art Music, Jazz, Traditional Music, Musical Theatre, Instrumental Specialism, Vocal.
As part of ABRSM’s association with its partner Royal Schools of Music, ABRSM provides scholarships for outstanding students to study at these colleges, with more than 80 scholars benefiting from ABRSM funding each year.
At the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, scholarships are available for 1 Juniors student, 4 UK undergraduates and 2 UK postgraduate students every year.
Composer Mentoring Programme
See Also: CPD, Composition, Western European Art Music, Jazz, Scottish Traditional.
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.
Participants also benefit from opportunities to meet and establish connections with ABRSM’s partner organisations, including the National Open Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, London Music Fund and Royal Philharmonic Society.
ABRSM is committed to supporting composers from a wide range of backgrounds, including those underrepresented within the music education community. The programme is available to emerging UK-based composers and in 2022/23 the cohort featured two Scotland-based composers, Ben Lunn and Amit Anand.
Play On
Play On is ABRSM’s new programme of sponsorship for organisations based outside of the UK. Launched in January 2023, Play On replaced and builds on ABRSM’s previous programme, the International Sponsorship Fund (ISF), which supported more than 50 organisations and an estimated 5,000 people from more than 30 countries around the world. Find out more about the ISF in ABRSM’s 10-Year ISF Impact Report (https://gb.abrsm.org/media/66932/t2_dha_isf-impact-report-final.pdf).
Although Play On funding is only available to organisations outside the UK, we have included in this companion for signposting purposes and colleagues with connections to non-UK music organisations that might be interested in applying for funding are very welcome to promote this opportunity.
UK Youth Advisory Board
In 2023 ABRSM launched its first-ever UK Youth Advisory Board. The board comprises three age groups (10 – 13 / 14 – 17 / 18 – 25) and plays a central role in shaping ABRSM’s broader work, ensuring the voices of young people are heard within the organisation. Recruitment for new members opens periodically – further information can be requested from ABRSM’s Youth Voice Consultant, Scottish musician and composer Rylan Gleave (gleaverylan@gmail.com).
Gie’s a Sang in Dundee
What an amazing day in the Caird Hall, Dundee on the 7th June for the We Make Music Gie’s a Sang. With over 500 young people and 5 sets of facilitators, the hall was rocking with a wide range of songs from various genres. A huge thank you to MEPG partners – Dundee Music Service, Alan, and Polly Beck, NYCOS, Fischy Music, Tinderbox, Sheena Wellington from TRACS and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Spotlight On… Reeltime Music
The Young Sound
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory, Rock and Pop, Ensemble, instrumental specialism
The Young Sound is a music group for young people aged 14+, and meet every Wednesday and Friday evening between 6-9pm at Reeltime Studios in Newarthill. In the Young Sound you can receive instrumental instruction, work in bands, create original material, and work towards live performance and recording opportunities.
Tempo
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory, Rock and Pop, Ensemble, instrumental specialism.
Tempo runs on Mondays from 6-8pm, and looks to engage with new young people aged 13 and over who would benefit from involvement with other young people and with music. The project provides a place for young people to explore and develop their musical skills, get to meet similar young people and work together on creative projects.
Access To The Creative Industries (College Access Course)
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory, Rock and Pop, Ensemble, instrumental specialism, Music industry
Reeltime have partnered up with New College Lanarkshire to deliver an Access to the Creative industries course on Wednesdays from 10am-4pm. This is a stepping stone course which can lead to further opportunities within New College Lanarkshire..
The course involves a practical induction to both studio based music creation and video production, giving young people the opportunity to try different music and media activities within the creative industries.
Studio
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory, Rock and Pop, Ensemble, instrumental specialism, Digital technology, song production.
The Reeltime Studio is a professional, fully equipped facility based around Pro Tools HD technology, and a great selection of microphones and outboard equipment.
The acoustically designed live area can accommodate large sessions whilst being suitable for the most intimate of recordings.
Recording is extremely cheap, from £18 per hour (with engineer) with a full range of discounts for school pupils, students, & those in receipt of benefits.
Reeltime are also fully equipped to offer Portable Recording, a popular choice for large choirs, bands and orchestras.
Rates for portable recording start from £21 per hour (with engineer)
Partnership Work
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory, Rock and Pop, Ensemble, instrumental specialism, Digital technology, song production
Reeltime have 20 years’ experience in working in partnership with the voluntary and public sector to deliver quality workshops, tailored to the needs of young people, and fully devised with the Curriculum for Excellence in mind. All sessions are continuously improved to include the feedback from young people and incorporate the latest techniques.
As a sustainable charity, Reeltime have price ranges to suit the smallest organisations to larger local authorities.
One Off Recordings
Reeltime offer a range of one-off and taster workshops suitable for all events, projects and groups. Our unique blend of youth work and creative industry techniques are suitable for all ages and all abilities and some examples include: Instrument Tasters, DJ Workshops, Media Challenges, and many more.
Short-Term Workshops
Reeltime have a successful track record working with groups of young people over 6-12 weeks periods to produce something to be proud of whilst building confidence and learning new skills. Working in groups of between 4-15, young people can take part in a variety of activities including: song writing, producing music videos and performing live.
Long-Term Workshops
Reeltime can also provide a variety of long-term workshops for more long term interventions and sustainable partnerships.
Volunteering
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory
Reeltime are always looking for capable, skilled individuals who have an interest in working closely with young people across our varied workshops to apply for volunteering. Reeltime are asking anyone who is interested to read the role description and apply at the link below.
Spotlight On… RSNO
(Photo credit: Sally Jubb)
Schools and Nurseries Programmes
See also: Primary, Secondary, Early years, Western European Art Music, Online
The RSNO supports and develops the musical education of children and young people with activity that lays the groundwork for a lifelong relationship with music.
Aligned with the National Inclusion Framework for Education, the RSNO’s activities provide children and young people with opportunities to be creative and imaginative, to have fun and be inspired, and to develop skills for learning, life and work.
Beginner’s Guides
See also: Primary, Secondary, Early years, Western European Art Music, Online
The RSNO’s Beginner’s Guides provide a fun and interactive way of learning how to play the instruments of the Orchestra. Scroll the slides below to view guides to the flute, oboe, bassoon and trumpet. More of this content will be added soon.
Families
See also: Music and Health/Neurodiversity, participatory, Western European Art Music, CPD, online.
The RSNO is committed to providing accessible orchestral and musical experiences for the whole family through performances at concert halls, music workshops, online and through the Astar app.
Astar
See also: Early years, primary, Music and Health/Neurodiversity, participatory, Western European Art Music, CPD, online.
The free RSNO Astar app introduces very young children and babies to the world of music. The app features a selection of popular classical music, with accompanying colourful animations of Scottish animals moving along to the music. Parents, guardians and carers are encouraged to listen to the app with their baby or young child as this helps with communication and bonding, listening skills and awareness, co-ordination, speech, and also creates a happy, less-stressed environment. The app is available here:
RSNO Challenges
Early years, primary, participatory, Western European Art Music, CPD, online.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
Filmed during the first lockdown in Spring 2020, RSNO musicians invite children and their families to take part in fun, musical and artistic challenges at home.
Young People
Secondary, Online
The RSNO aims to inspire the next generation of musicians and concert-goers.
The activities for young people provide a range of ways to get involved in performing, enjoying and creating music. The RSNO also aims to support talented young people from across Scotland to build on their skills as creators and performers, and to help them gain experience of what it’s like to work in an arts organisation.
Young Creatives
See also: Secondary, Performance specialism, Music business, ensemble experience.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
Young Creatives is a creative arts and leadership programme for young people in Scotland aged 14-21 where the young people are in charge. You can apply as a musician (Grade 4+ on instrument) or a programmer (no musical experience necessary). The Young Creatives will:
- Get the opportunity to gain work experience with Royal Scottish National Orchestra musicians and staff
- Plan and perform a concert with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Make friends and develop skills
The Young Creatives Musicians spend the year working as a team, where they will participate in workshops and masterclasses, before beginning work on the repertoire, which will be performed at the end of the year in a side-by-side concert with the RSNO.
The Young Creatives Programmers focus on the ‘behind the scenes’ and gain work experience opportunities throughout the RSNO departments. As a team, they will plan and produce the concert, create marketing materials, and design and carry out the staging of the performance.
Notes From Scotland
See also: Composition, Secondary
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
Notes from Scotland is a free composition scheme for young composers aged 14-18 years living in Scotland. Through the project, young composers develop their composition skills and meet other young musicians and composers. For the 2023:24 Season, the RSNO will be joined by Dunedin Consort to give the young composers the opportunity to learn about and compose for period instruments.
Applications for this year closed in July 2023, but there will be future opportunities.
The RSNO/RCS Partnership – Apprenticeship Scheme
See also: Western European Art Music, Instrumental Specialism. Ensemble experience, Musicianship
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
The RSNO and RCS Apprenticeship scheme bridges the transition between conservatoire student performance and professional experience, for young musicians showing promise as orchestral musicians.
Each year students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland are invited to audition for the apprenticeship scheme in the same way that the RSNO would audition for real vacancies within the Orchestra, with candidates being set challenging solo and orchestral repertoire as well as being presented with sight-reading in the audition.
All candidates are provided with panel reports regarding their audition with suggestions of ways to improve. Successful students are invited to rehearse with the RSNO for three projects throughout the Season, as well as receiving advice and mentoring from RSNO musicians.
The Apprenticeship Scheme is open to students on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland BMus Hons and MMus courses.
The RSNO/RCS Partnership – Side by Side
See also: Western European Art Music, Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble experience, Musicianship
(Lisa Rourke RSNO Sub-principal viola. Photo credit: Sally Jubb)
The RSNO and RCS run an annual side-by-side day where each RSNO musician sits alongside a player from the RCS Symphony Orchestra to perform major works from the orchestral repertoire, directed by a RSNO conductor. The RSNO also has a long-standing partnership with the RCS conducting department, and each year a day is dedicated to offering the Masters students and Conducting Fellows the chance to conduct the full RSNO.
RSNO & SCO Youth Assembly
See also: Participatory
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
In a new joint initiative with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Youth Assembly will consist of eight young people, aged between 18-23, who are based in Scotland. Members will:
- Provide insight– use their knowledge of what appeals to young people to help both RSNO and SCO make decisions and develop new ideas
- Raise awareness– use their networks to help young people and those that work with young people understand and engage with the work of the RSNO and SCO
- Gain experience– of leadership and governance within the creative industries
Singers
The RSNO runs many opportunities for adult and young singers.
RSNO Chorus
See also: Choral, Voice, Ensemble Experience, CPD, Performance specialism, Western European Art Music.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
In 2018, the RSNO Chorus celebrated its 175th anniversary, making it one of the oldest symphonic choruses in the world. The RSNO Chorus remains one of the busiest and most respected choruses in the UK and performs around 15 times per Season with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The 130-member Chorus perform a wide range of repertoire, from large scale choral works to well-known film scores.
RSNO Youth Chorus
See Also: Choral, Voice, Ensemble experience, Primary, Secondary, Western European Art Music.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
The RSNO Youth Chorus (formerly Junior Chorus) offers its members the opportunity to perform regularly with a professional symphony orchestra. The Youth Chorus offers young people aged 7-18 the opportunity to sing weekly with a highly trained group, giving concerts and making recordings. The RSNO Youth Chorus aims to encourage singing to the best of the singers’ ability, to learn to read music, and to develop and train the voice. The emphasis is ultimately on singing for fun, and on the establishment of good pitching and a good ear using the Kodály Method.
The RSNO Youth Chorus is divided into groups: Children’s Chorus, Youth Chorus and Changed Voices.
Fees are £210 with bursaries available.
RSNO Chorus Academy
See also: Choral, Voice, Ensemble Experience, Participatory, Musicianship, Western European Art Music.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
The RSNO Chorus Academy is open to all, without audition and aims to encourage singers who would like to build their confidence in all aspects of singing, including choral techniques, singing techniques and musicianship, as well as reading a musical score. There is a per session fee of £5.
Composers
See also: Composition, CPD.
In addition to the Notes from Scotland initiative highlighted above, there are also CPD opportunities for practicing composers.
Film Composers Lab
See also: Composition, CPD, Western European Art Music.
Aimed at early-career composers who wish to expand their skills in film composition, Film Composers Lab is a professional development scheme. It offers an invaluable opportunity for five composers in the early stages of their career to gain hands-on experience of composing for screen while working with a professional orchestra and learning from industry experts.
Communities
See also: Participatory, Ensemble Experience, Western European Art Music
All Together Now: Community Orchestra
See also: Participatory, Ensemble Experience, Western European Art Music, Orchestra.
(Photo credit: Martin Shields)
The RSNO Community Orchestra provides an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages to play together, whether you played an instrument at school and haven’t picked it up in years or are a beginner to intermediate player. The Orchestra meets on Sundays throughout the RSNO Season and works towards a sharing event at the end of the term. Sessions operate under a pay-what-you-can model with a suggested donation of £5.
https://www.rsno.org.uk/community-orchestra-all-together-now/
Spotlight On… Scottish Chamber Orchestra
SCOs Creative Learning Programme 2023 – 2028
SCO’s portfolio of education and ensemble initiatives and their music in healthcare programme are delivered across a wide range of settings, including schools, hospitals and care settings and in communities right across Scotland for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. At the same time, SCO regularly offer entertaining concert programmes especially developed for children, families and school pupils that allow them the opportunity to enjoy high quality live music, perhaps for the very first time.
SCO are also committed to working with marginalised and minority groups and to delivering music and music-making activities designed to improve the lives of a diverse set of communities. These residencies offer music and cross-artform workshops and performances for residents of all ages and allow the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to become part of – and support – the wider cultural life of these communities.
Underpinning this is SCO’s commitment to developing the skills and talents of the next generation of performers, creators, arts leaders and educators through our series of Pathways programmes. At the same time, SCO aim to invest in the ongoing professional development of their musicians and creative practitioners, to ensure the continuous development and improvement of their programmes and a flourishing, motivated team.
Photo by Fraser Band
Residences
SCO in Craigmillar residency
See also: Life-long learning, Western European Art Music
SCO in Craigmillar is a five-year programme of creative projects and performances for residents of all ages in Greater Craigmillar, Edinburgh. Building on the area’s extraordinary history of Community Arts, the SCO aims to be part of a community-wide journey to re-energise creative activity with and for diverse groups, and for this residency to connect the community with a national cultural resource.
From September 2023, SCO will be entering year three of this residency which will involve the continued delivery of a schools programme to local nurseries, primary schools and the local high school, three ongoing community programmes and local performances by SCO ensembles and the full Orchestra.
Key objectives:
- Enhance local school and community culture through positive interactions and a regular programme of music and music-making activity
- Help reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing
- Improve local people’s confidence
- Bring live music-making to audiences who would not normally engage with the SCO
- Support the development of transferable skills
- Be part of a wider journey towards creative community activity
Music in Healthcare
ReConnect
See also: Health/Wellbeing, neurodiversity, Western European Art Music
SCO’s ReConnect workshop programme comprises interactive, creative music sessions for people living with dementia, delivered by specialist workshop leaders and SCO musicians. It aims to improve patients’ and carers’ sense of wellbeing and quality of life, bringing people together through music to connect, communicate and enjoy spending time together. The programme provides a series of weekly music sessions in which dementia patients, together with visiting family members and NHS staff, are invited and supported to sing, play instruments, improvise and listen. The programme is delivered within NHS Lothian’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital and also as part of the SCO in Craigmillar residency, in partnership with a local Caring in Craigmillar, a day care centre providing specialised care for older people in the area.
Key objectives:
- To use music and creative music-making to improve individuals’ sense of well-being, quality of life and social interaction
- To support family members and carers to enjoy a shared experience with people they are caring for/loved ones
- To encourage the use of music and music-making in a hospital / care setting in order to support person-centred care-giving
- To help build a sense of community through music and music-making
New Vibe
See also: Health/Wellbeing, neurodiversity, Western European Art Music
New Vibe is a collaborative, creative music-making programme that supports young people with moderate to severe mental health problems, developed and delivered in partnership with NHS Lothian’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (out-patient unit). New Vibe aims to encourage collaborative improvisation between those taking part where the focus is on trying out new ideas, building confidence and enjoying making music together. With the support of SCO;s committed team of professional musicians, young people develop their abilities to compose, improvise and perform in a safe and supported environment.
Key objectives:
- Provide a safe space for young people currently using the CAMHS service to feel heard, supported and able to explore difficult feelings
- Create a shared experience where young people are encouraged to develop musically and socially
- Use music workshop practices to develop participants’ musical confidence, self-esteem and positive social behaviours
Early Years and Families
Family Festival: musical storytelling concerts
See also: Primary, Secondary, Parents and Carers, Western European Art Music
(SCO Family Festival- credit Sally Jubb)
In early 2023, SCO’s Creative Learning team commissioned a brand-new orchestral work for children and families from the SCO’s Associate Composer, Jay Capperauld, set to a story concept created by children’s author Corrina Campbell. This is the first time the SCO has commissioned a new work for children and the first time that the creative learning team has commissioned a writer to develop a new story concept for their concerts for children and young people. The new work created by Capperauld and Campbell is entitled The Great Grumpy Gaboon and features the full Orchestra as well as seven main characters, played by selected SCO musicians. The Great Grumpy Gaboon is a brand-new musical experience for children and families that emphasises the musicians themselves rather than relying on projected illustrations and a narrator to tell the story.
Key objectives:
- Introduce and expose children to live orchestral music
- Provide an immersive and relaxed concert experience that can be shared and enjoyed by families
- Change perceptions of what orchestral music can be by presenting it in new and different ways
- Bring an Associate Composer and SCO musicians into the heart of both creating and performing work for young audiences
Music Education (Secondary school pupils, Further and Higher Education students)
SCO Academy
See also: Primary, Secondary, Western European Art Music, Classical
(Photo credit – Sally Jubb)
The SCO Academy programme provides a unique opportunity for aspiring young musicians (aged 12-18) to complement their regular music-making activities by rehearsing and performing with the Orchestra under the guidance of SCO musicians, conductors and staff from St Mary’s Music School who are the SCO’s partners on this programme. There are no fees and no auditions and places are allocated through working in partnership with Instrumental Music Services who identify young people to put forward to the Academy.
SCO aim to run two Academy programmes per year, aligning with the Orchestra’s main season programme and ensure reach by touring the programme to different parts of the country, partnering with different Local Authority Instrumental Music Services.
Key objectives:
- Provide a unique and fully mentored opportunity for young musicians to rehearse and perform in a professional orchestral environment
- Provide quality performance opportunities for young musicians of all abilities and levels of experience
- Provide a platform for participants to meet other young musicians
- Encourage high aspirations and support musical development of young musicians
- Provide a creative route to explore working together, using communication, expression and teamwork to lead to a growth of self-esteem
- Offer a platform for young people to grow in confidence by sitting next to professional players and working with internationally-renowned conductors
![SCOimmerse27C©ChristopherBowen[76] comp](https://wemakemusicscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SCOimmerse27C©ChristopherBowen76-comp.jpg "SCOimmerse27C©ChristopherBowen[76] comp")
Immerse
See also: Secondary, Western European Art Music, SQA Curriculum
(SCO Immerse- credit Christopher Bowen)
Immerse offers a free, live orchestral concert and unique learning experience for upper secondary school music pupils through the presentation of repertoire connecting classical and contemporary music. It is designed to inspire creativity and enhance understanding of musical concepts used in the repertoire.
Immerse 2023-2025 will feature The Origin of Colour by SCO Associate Composer Jay Capperauld and will feature Jay himself introducing the programme, in conversation with SCO musicians. Immerse 2026-2028 will feature the work of a contemporary, Scottish woman composer (TBC) to ensure a diverse approach to the ongoing development of this programme.
Key objectives
- Offer an impressive first live orchestral experience to young people through Introducing inspiring contemporary orchestral repertoire
- Support music provision in secondary schools through providing an experience that will develop skills in aural perception and discrimination and compositional methods and knowledge and understanding of the creative process
- Provide written resources to support pupils’ learning relating to music styles, concepts and analysis.
- Ensure national reach through touring Immerse to different local authorities across a three-year cycle
Open rehearsals
An opportunity for further and higher education music students to discover how great music comes together and experience the Orchestra’s rehearsal process through attendance at one of the Orchestra’s open rehearsals. This is a rare opportunity for students to watch a professional orchestra at work, see a performance take shape and observe how the Orchestra prepares for a public performance.
Starting from November 2023, three open rehearsals will be offered per Season.
Key objectives:
- Provide an opportunity for students to gain understanding of how orchestras use the rehearsal process to prepare for performance
- Support music provision in FE/HE courses through provision of exposure to professional orchestra practices and personnel
Ticket offers for schools and Under-18s
We offer complimentary tickets to school teachers and instrumental tutors who wish to bring groups of young people to SCO Season concerts. Free tickets are also available for Under 18s. Both these ticket offers are now more prominently highlighted on the SCO website and reminders of these tickets schemes are included in all regular e-news bulletins to schools.
Talent and Skills Development: Pathways programmes
Youth Assembly
The Youth Assembly will jointly serve in an advisory capacity to both the SCO and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). Members of this joint Youth Assembly will have a remit to identify priorities for developing, strengthening and deepening each organisation’s youth engagement and to contribute to the implementation of ideas and projects that support these priorities. In return, young people will gain valuable life and work experience as well as practical experience in leadership and governance.
The National Performing Companies (NPCs) are committed to working in partnerships together to ensure our work complements each other. Having a joint Youth Assembly demonstrates a shared commitment to youth engagement and genuine investment in supporting an effective forum for young people’s voices and views.
The first Youth Assembly will be recruited to start in September 2023 and this first cohort of young people (aged 18-23) will serve for an 18-month period.
Key objectives:
Members of the Youth Advisory Board will:
- Provide insight – use their knowledge of what appeals to young people to help both SCO and RSNO make decisions and develop new ideas
- Raise awareness – use their networks to help young people and those that work with young people understand and engage with the work SCO and RSNO
- Gain experience – of leadership and governance within the creative industries
Creative Learning Traineeship
SCOs Creative Learning Traineeship is a unique opportunity for a musician at the early stages of their career to develop their workshop leadership and management skills in the context of the SCO’s creative learning programmes and projects, working with a diverse range of groups and settings through a year-long, paid training programme. This programme will begin in September 2023 and involve a cohort of up to six early career creative practitioners.
Key objectives:
- Provide opportunities for early career music workshop leaders develop skills and confidence in developing and delivering music education and community music workshops and make a demonstrable impact on their professional development
- Increase and extend SCO’s networks of workshop practitioners and support Trainees to develop their own professional networks
Soundbox
Soundbox is the SCO’s artist development programme that offers a platform for music creators from any musical and cultural background (including those not traditionally associated with the classical music world) to experiment with the chamber music format, expand their creative practice and explore new ideas, new sounds and new music. It is an opportunity for them to take essential time to explore and develop their work with guidance and support from the SCO’s team of mentors, led by the SCO’s Associate Composer Jay Capperauld.
The Soundbox programme, which runs over one year (from May to the following June), includes mentoring, a financial grant and a commission fee and brings together a small cohort of music creators per programme who work together to create new pieces of work for the Orchestra to share with audiences as part of our emerging Un:Titled concert series.
Key objectives:
- Provide opportunity to invest in new music and regularly bring dynamic new artists into the SCO’s programme
- Provide opportunity for music creators to progress in their professional pathways and make a demonstrable impact on their creative development
- Address under-representation of different groups and communities within classical music composition and demonstrate SCO’s commitment to diversity in all areas of our programme
- Increase and extend SCO’s creative networks and support Soundbox participants to develop networks of their own
Spotlight On… Scottish Opera
Breath Cycle II
See also: Participatory, ASN, Health and Wellbeing, Voice, Choral.
Breath Cycle II is designed to support sufferers of Long COVID. Breath Cycle originally ran in 2013, supporting those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis in partnership with Gartnavel Hospital.
Based on research, Breath Cycle utilises breathing techniques practised by professional opera singers to help those living with Long COVID and other respiratory conditions. Delivery of the programme so far indicates strengthened mental health and wellbeing, along with significant improvements in respiratory health. By clicking the link below you can practice with on-demand exercise, explore the experiences of others living with Long COVID through the Covid Composers Songbook, or register to participate in weekly online sessions.
Breath Cycle II is supported by The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, W M Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.
Community Choir
See also: Participatory, Life-Long Learning, Community, Voice
Scottish Opera’s Glasgow-based Community Choir is a fun, participatory group that rehearse weekly, tackling a mix of opera, classical, popular, folk and world music. Conducted by Katy Lavinia Cooper, there is no prior requirement to read music or have prior singing experience. Members purchase a Community Choir Membership which goes towards covering the costs of organising a public sharing at the end of the term, as well as ensuring the continued expansion of partnerships and performance experiences. Scottish Opera uses a Pay What You Can pricing structure for the Community Choir membership, starting at £30. Your membership will cover your Community Choir participation for one term, which will span over 10 to 11 weeks.
Scottish Opera Young Company
See also: Secondary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism.
Scottish Opera Young Company offers 17 to 21 year-old singers a unique and practical introduction to the world of opera and the chance to develop their talent through a year-long programme running from September to July.
SOYC members work with a range of opera professionals throughout the year– including directors, choreographers, conductors, stage managers, and vocal coaches – to hone their skills, culminating in performances in December and July each year.
No student who successfully auditions for SOYC will miss out due to financial circumstances. Payment can be made in instalments by arrangement. Scottish Opera can also offer travel bursaries to those who need financial help getting to auditions and rehearsals in Glasgow.
Please note: The deadline for 2023/24 applications was Monday 17th July 2023, but look out for future deadlines.
Scottish Opera Young Company Gateway
See also: Secondary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism.
Scottish Opera also run a Gateway programme for 14-18 year olds who may need to gain more experience before the Scottish Opera Young Company, or before committing for the whole year. This is an immersive, non-auditioned programme with no need for any previous stage experience. An ability to read music is not required, but helpful. The fee for Scottish Opera Young Company Gateway is £250.
Payment can be made in instalments by arrangement. No student who takes part in SOYC Gateway will miss out due to financial circumstances.
Opera For Schools
See also: Primary, Secondary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Online.
As well as the much-celebrated annual Primary Schools Tour, which is back for the 2023/24 school year, Scottish Opera has a range of high quality teaching resources available for download on its website, all designed to help kids and young people find their voice.
Vikings! The Quest for the Dragon’s Treasure
See also: Primary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, educators.
This Primary Schools Tour is for Primary 5 to 7 pupils to get singing and dancing. An ancient prophecy sends the Viking Queen and her swashbuckling band of warriors off to steal gemstones from the legendary Ice Dragon, while the sneaky Sorcerer Supreme stays behind, planning to seize power. But the wise Villagers foresee that stealing the gems is just the start of their troubles.
Each school that participates receives:
- High quality teaching resources, including a teachers’ support pack to help introduce the music and related activities.
- An advance visit from a specialist choral musician.
- A day-long workshop with a team of highly experienced arts education specialists and performers.
- A 30-minute performance for family, friends and schoolmates to share.
The Elixir of Love
See also: Secondary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Online
This is an online teaching resources for S3 students, focusing on the expressive arts curriculum. These lessons are based around the 19th century Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore), and cover topics that can be taught as part of the Art & Design, Drama and Music subjects. Designed to tie in directly to the experiences and outcomes of A Curriculum for Excellence, the intention is to engage pupils’ critical thinking skills, which are transferrable across disciplines, through opera.
https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/opera-for-schools/the-elixir-of-love/
The Curse of the MacCabbra Opera House
Primary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Online.
The Curse of MacCabbra Opera House originally gave P5 and P7s the opportunity to be involved in a special performance day, staging their own all-singing, all-dancing 30-minute show, with music by Alan Penman, and lyrics by Johnny McKnight.
Following a year of touring the project across primary schools in Scotland, Scottish Opera now offer this as a downloadable digital package.
Scottish Opera provide online teaching resources, including easy-to-follow audio and video teaching aids for the five songs in The Curse of MacCabbra Opera House, alongside fun curriculum-based learning activities which can be carried out in class, assigned as homework tasks or used for assessment purposes. The project is designed to tie in directly to the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence, giving pupils a greater understanding of the arts and creative industries, and helping children identify their talents and aspirations for the future. Learning activities will cover marketing and publicity, ticket pricing, letting children try their hand at creative writing and costume design, giving them an insight into all the different work that goes on behind the scenes to bring an opera to the stage.
https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/opera-for-schools/the-curse-of-maccabbra-opera-house/
The Brassketeers
Primary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Online.
This cross-curricular project for Primary 1-3 introduces children to the joy of brass instruments and the rich sound world they create, while also supporting delivery of the Early and First Level numeracy curriculum. Resources include a beautifully animated short film which introduces the instruments, alongside lesson plans, slide shows, worksheets and games which explore the relationship between music and maths.
https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/opera-for-schools/the-brassketeers/
Tiny Chef
Primary, Western European Art Music, Vocal, Online.
Tiny Chef is an animated magical, musical story which teaches language and healthy eating for Primary 3 and 4 pupils. Developed from a series of workshops with over 200 children, Tiny Chef is set in a marvellous, moveable restaurant, The Sūgélán Dragon, and teaches students basic Mandarin and the principles of food purchasing, preparation and presentation, with a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients.
https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/opera-for-schools/tiny-chef/
Memory Spinners
See also: Life-Long Learning, Participatory, ASN, Health and Neurodiversity
Scottish Opera’s Memory Spinners groups meet weekly in Glasgow. Using music, storytelling, movement and the visual arts, the programme helps people with dementia and their carers relax, get creative and form new support networks.
Throughout each eight-week term, they share memories that are then incorporated into a relaxed performance for friends and family. All spaces are free.
Spotlight On… Sistema Scotland
As of 2023, Big Noise programmes supporting a combined 3,500 children and young people are delivered in the communities of Raploch and Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Douglas in Dundee, Torry in Aberdeen, and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh. The centres support families by providing free childcare and healthy food after school and during the holidays, and children and young people are given opportunities that they may not otherwise have.
Big Noise programmes also offer Baby Noise and Little Noise play-orientated music sessions for 0-3 year olds with their parents and carers. As well as children, young people and their families taking part, most Big Noise programmes also provide members of the wider community with the opportunity to join community orchestras and choirs. All activities and instruments at Big Noise are provided free of charge to all participants.
About Big Noise
The Big Noise programme is particularly focused on early years’ intervention and long-term delivery. Each new Big Noise centre begins by working with children at nursery (weekly) and in Primary 1 and 2 (twice weekly), gradually building on core skills such as listening, concentration, rhythm, rhyme and teamwork whilst learning to play an instrument in a group.
As children reach Primary 3 and beyond, Big Noise evolves into an intensive and immersive programme of after-school and holiday club music teaching, performance and social interaction. Big Noise participants receive up to four after-school sessions of intervention and support a week during term time; and up to four days each week during spring, summer and autumn holidays until they leave school. Young people are given the opportunity to take part in performances and residential trips.
Big Noise centres also provide weekly sessions for babies and toddlers (and their parents). There is support and opportunity for adult community members to participate in singing and orchestral performance, as well as a range of meaningful volunteering options for adults within Big Noise.
Sistema Scotland currently delivers Big Noise programmes in 6 communities:
- Big Noise Raploch, Stirling, was established in 2008.
- Big Noise Govanhill, Glasgow, was established in 2013.
- Big Noise Torry, Aberdeen, was established in 2015.
- Big Noise Douglas, Dundee, was established in 2017.
- Big Noise Fallin, Stirling, was established in 2021.
- Big Noise Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, was established in 2022.
Big Noise Raploch
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Raploch is the home of the first Big Noise programme, and the first orchestra of its kind in the UK. Big Noise in Raploch in Stirling was launched in 2008 and operates from the Community Campus on Drip Road with children from the nursery, Our Lady’s Primary, Raploch Primary, Castleview Primary, Wallace High and St Modan’s High.
Get in touch with Big Noise Raploch:
Big Noise Raploch
Raploch Community Campus
Drip Road
Stirling
FK8 1RD
Email: raplochadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01786 445707
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Big Noise Govanhill
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Govanhill is Sistema Scotland’s second Big Noise programme, launched in 2013 in the vibrant and diverse community of Govanhill in Glasgow.
Big Noise Govanhill predominantly works with children and young people from St Bride’s, Holy Cross, Annette Street and Cuthbertson Primary & Nursery Schools, as well as Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy.
Get in touch with Big Noise Govanhill:
Big Noise Govanhill
The Neighbourhood Centre
6 Daisy Street
Glasgow
G42 8JL
Email: govanhilladministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 0141 328 4113
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Big Noise Torry
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Torry was launched in Aberdeen in July 2015 and is Sistema Scotland’s third Big Noise programme. Big Noise Torry predominantly works with children and young people at Walker Road and Tullos Primary & Nursery School, as well as Lochside Academy.
Get in touch with Big Noise Torry:
Big Noise Torry
39-41 Victoria Road
Aberdeen
AB11 9LS
Email: torryadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01224 974707
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Big Noise Douglas
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Douglas is Sistema Scotland’s fourth centre and launched in September 2017 in the Douglas community in the east of Dundee.
The programme predominantly works with children and young people from Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary and Nursery Schools.
Get in touch with Big Noise Douglas:
Big Noise Douglas
Douglas Community Centre
Balmoral Avenue
Dundee
DD4 8SD
Email: douglas@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01382 767650
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Big Noise Fallin
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Fallin in Stirling is an exciting development from neighbouring Big Noise Raploch. It was launched in 2021 and focuses on brass instrument teaching with children from Fallin Primary School.
Get in touch with Big Noise Fallin (via Raploch office):
Big Noise Raploch
Raploch Community Campus
Drip Road
Stirling
FK8 1RD
Telephone: 01786 445707
Email: raplochadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Big Noise Wester Hailes
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Sistema Scotland’s sixth and newest Big Noise programme launched in 2022 in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. Big Noise Wester Hailes predominantly works with children from Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill Primary and Nursery Schools.
Get in touch with Big Noise Wester Hailes:
Big Noise Wester Hailes
Wester Hailes
Whale Arts
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA
Email: westerhailesadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk.
Telephone: 07918280426
Follow them on Facebook for latest news and updates:
Spotlight On… The Soundlab
The Sound Lab
See also: Primary, Secondary lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
The Sound Lab’s projects cover a broad range of styles aimed at a wide range of participants. Activities include singing, song-writing, electronic music production, drums, guitar, keyboard, drumming, DJ skills, MC skills, film-making, photography, graffiti art and editing, audio recording, song writing and live performance.
Recent initiatives have included the Youth Music funded New Sounds Academy, the ‘Drawing Together’ research project looking at building positive refugee experiences across Norway, Finland and Scotland, the Musicares project in association with the Scottish Music Centre, and many more. The Sound Lab’s projects are constantly updating so be sure to check their social media and website for up-to-date information.
Online Resources
See also: Primary, Secondary lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN, online.
The Sound Lab also have a considerable library of accessible online resources and tutorials.
Spotlight On… Tinderbox
Tinderbox aims to ignite a spark in people – one which fills them with confidence, imagination and sense of possibility, and which enables people to achieve things they never thought possible. Their work uses music and the arts to bring people together and strengthen communities, providing exciting opportunities that support young people to build their confidence, skills, self-esteem, and professional experience. They balance an ambition to create high quality and original work, with a drive to be genuinely inclusive and foster active and creative participation from everyone involved.
Projects include an original and experimental orchestra, a creative technology studio and maker-space, as well as several vibrant youth clubs built around music, arts and game-design. They also run a wider community music programme working with children in hospitals, care settings, schools, libraries and other targeted partners, offering a range of creative workshops, courses and apprenticeships.
Tinderbox have been the lead organisation driving the national “We Make Music Instrument Libraries” initiative that has so far made hundreds of instruments available through public libraries. They have also led on establishing the Scottish Youth Music Exchange, a project that aims to share practice among out-of-school, non-formal music education projects in Scotland. Tinderbox’s year-round programme works with thousands of children and young people aged 10-25, from complete beginners to young professionals and all levels in between.
Tinderbox Orchestra
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience.
Tinderbox Orchestra have transformed preconceptions about what an orchestra can be. They put on spectactular live shows featuring some of Scotland’s most talented young musicians from across genres, and an international cast of professional collaborators, blending rappers & singers with strings, brass, woodwind and back-line.
The orchestra started in 2010 and was the founding project of Tinderbox Collective. The focus has been on writing and perfoming original, unexpected and high quality music with a diverse and eclectic band.
Orchestra Courses
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience.
Tinderbox have run a huge variety of music and orchestra courses all over Scotland, working with small groups to projects with over 100 young people. Orchestra courses and music workshops cater to all abilities from ages 10-25, and are tailored to each groups needs and interests. Workshops and courses have ranged from 2 hour crash courses, to full day sessions, to 10 week courses, and have been delivered with various schools and organisations across Scotland. They usually lead up to a large performance and cross over with other Tinderbox projects.
The focus of courses tends to be composing & writing music, improvisation and dynamic performance. In order to help support large groups of such varying abilities, Tinderbox have developed flexible scores and ‘part 3s’ which provide more accessible options, so that everyone in the group can participate at the level that suits them best.
Tinderbox Youth Club
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, songwriting.
The Tinderbox Youth Club is based at experience. It’s a drop-in club but most participants attend regularly. The first half of each week involves small-group sessions including brass, strings, guitars & bass guitars, singing, songwriting, rap, and a ‘café’ area supported by youth workers where young people can just hang out with each other. People then come together for an open-mic session where anyone can perform a solo or small group piece to their peers in a supportive atmosphere. Finally everyone comes together to play a few songs as a big band/orchestra. This club is where participants from all across Tinderbox Collective’s projects can come together and meet each other, share music they have been developing and rehearse for collaborative concerts.
Tinderbox Online Music School
See also: See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, Online.
On Saturday mornings, Tinderbox take to zoom to run a series of small group lessons on a range of different instruments including guitar, keyboard, songwriting, strings, brass, woodwind, and music production for complete beginners to advanced young players. The lessons take place in different ‘breakout rooms’ and there is a main room (which is facilitated) where people can hang out, share music, and perform songs to each other. Participants can turn up for their lesson or hang out in the main space for the whole session.
People who have borrowed instruments from the instrument libraries are particularly encouraged to join the online music school to get started.
https://tinderboxcollective.org/tinderbox-online-music-school/#toms
Partner Workshops
See also: Participatory, community
Tinderbox work closely with a range of other youth clubs, community groups and organisations organisations who work with targeted groups to help bring music into their work, by delivering workshops, playing at community events and putting together longer-term creative projects. These include:
North Edinburgh Arts: A vibrant community Arts Centre in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, an area that features highly on the SIMD. Tinderbox are based here and run their weekly youth music clubs and other workshops in the venue.
Rock Trust: Providing support and accommodation for young people struggling with homelessness. Instrumental lessons, jam sessions and songwriting workshops.
Amazing Harmonies: All ages singing and community group in Muirhouse, Edinburgh.
Seamab School: Residential primary school for children in care. Tinderbox offer instrumental lessons and participant led music making.
LGBT Youth Scotland: Organisation who support LGBTQ+ young people in Scotland.
Expecting Something: A Wester Hailes based project run by Starcatchers that works with new and expectant parents under 25 and their babies.
SCORE Scotland: Strengthening Communities for Race Equality Scotland. An anti-racism and multi-equality voluntary organisation based in Wester Hailes.
Action For Children: UK children’s charity committed to helping vulnerable children and young people, and their families. Tinderbox run regular songwriting and music production projects with the Edinburgh BAME Boys group.
Edinburgh Multicultural Family Base: Supporting children and families, especially people who have recently moved to Edinburgh. Tinderbox play a regular family ceilidh and run music and songwriting workshops with children and young people.
Cyrenians: a charity aimed at tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness.
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre: A bustling community centre in Pilton, an area that features highly on the SIMD.
Instrument Libraries
See also:, See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience, instrument libraries.
Tinderbox are a lead organisation and founding partner in the We Make Music Instrument Libraries programme – a national initiative and campaign to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book. The project grew out of their youth club in Edinburgh and a partnership with the local Muirhouse Library to enable children to take instruments home with them. The national campaign was launched in 2022 and there are currently 14 instrument libraries up and running in Edinburgh, Fife, North Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders and West Lothian, with a number of other library services keen to join as well. As well as loaning instruments, we host music workshops and live performances at these libraries, equip them with music production software & equipment, and develop online resources so people can access learning opportunities from home. Each library is paired with different music groups and organisations, and in Edinburgh you can find instruments at Craigmillar, Drumbrae, Muirhouse, Wester Hailes, Moredun, and the music library at Central library.
Tinderbox Lab
See also: See also:, See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Community, Digital technology, music production, online.
Tinderbox Lab is a digital arts programme and makerspace, where artists are brought together across disciplines who have an interest in creative technology, electronics and interactive media. Tinderbox deliver a range of projects, commissions events and opportunities, including workshops for schools & youth groups. From building robots to designing computer games and making synthesisers, the workshops teach about topics such as basic circuits, electronics, computer coding and software. These workshops often cross-over with Tinderbox’s other programmes, including projects in their digital arts lab, orchestra and music hubs. This creates pathways for young people to develop their interests in different ways.
If you are interested in a games design, creative technology or other workshop for your school or youth group, please contact us at lab@tinderboxcollective.org
Schools
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience.
Tinderbox work with a number of Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities in Edinburgh, delivering music workshops and longer-term projects with students and teachers. They have developed courses in Digital Music Making, Composition, Improvisation, and Alternative Orchestras, that schools have found fun and effective, and we are particularly interested in collaborating on creative projects and cross-curricular ideas.
Please get in touch at admin@tinderboxcollective.org if you are interested in working with Tinderbox.
Music in Hospitals
See also:, Participatory, Creative Learning, Health and Wellbeing, ASN, Community, songwriting, instrumental specialism, musicianship, creative learning.
Tinderbox deliver several workshops each week at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh in partnership with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
The workshops involve singing, song-writing, learning instruments, digital music production and creating fun and enjoyable experiences for children with long-term health problems. As with all Tinderbox programmes, where possible, ways are found for this work to come together with the other projects, such as their orchestras and music hubs.
Spotlight On… Fèis Rois
Based in Dingwall, Fèis Rois is widely recognised as a national leader in the arts, particularly in music education. The organisation aims to give young people and lifelong learners the opportunity to experience and engage with traditional music and Gaelic culture in a way that supports them in developing their social skills and inspires them to reach their full potential.
Fèis Rois’s annual programme of residential fèisean (music schools or festivals) is central to their activity. These fèisean bring people together to learn and develop skills in traditional music, as well as exploring a range of other art forms and the Gaelic language. The residential fèisean are supported by a busy year-round programme of music-making activities in both the formal education and informal education sectors.
Fèis Rois has been a key partner in several multi-arts projects, both internationally and at home and offers a wide range of services and online resources to the traditional music community.
Whether you are already involved in traditional music, or you are brand new to this genre of music, everyone is very welcome at Fèis Rois!
Residential Fèisean
Youth Fèis (October 2023)
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Instrumental Specialism, Creative Learning, Primary, Secondary.
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Taking place in Ullapool during the October holidays, Fèis Rois is offering a 5-day residential Fèis experience for young people from P4 to S6 from Monday 16th to Friday 20th October 2023.
Learners in P4-7 have parallel timetables and separate accommodation to the S2 to S6 participants. Those in S1 can choose to take part in either group. Learners choose different class options from a list, including various musical instruments, Gaelic song, sound engineering, composition, song writing, drama, dance and more. Fèis Rois also offer instruments free of charge, so you can try something new, if you wish!
Youth Fèis (April 2024)
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Instrumental Specialism, Creative Learning, Primary, Secondary.
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
In 2023 Fèis Rois made some changes to its holiday programme, replacing the April residential Junior Fèis with three separate non-residential events in Ullapool, Dingwall, and Tain. This format will remain in place for 2024 and the dates will be 1st to 4th April 2024.
Professional musicians will tutor at each site, and there will be the opportunity to participate in a local ceilidh and watch the musicians perform. Making new friends, receiving high-quality tuition, trying out new instruments and having fun are key ingredients for this week.
This event is open to young people in P4 up to S6.
The organisation has recently adopted a “pay what you can” pricing model in order to make this event as financially accessible as possible. More information about this event will be shared towards the end of 2023 and places can be booked via the website.
Adult Féis (May 2024)
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Instrumental Specialism, Creative Learning
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
The next Adult Fèis, Fèis Rois nan Inbheach, is in Ullapool from 3rd to 6th May 2024.
This annual 3-day festival caters for beginners right up to accomplished musicians. There is no requirement to read music, or to have previous knowledge of traditional music to enjoy our Adult Fèis. Instruments can be provided for anyone signing up for beginner classes.
In addition to the high-quality tuition, there is also an exciting fringe programme including sessions, lunchtime recitals, evening gigs, and an informal Gaelic conversation circle. Classes are grouped into ability levels, with a first choice class in the morning and a second choice class in the afternoon.
Residential Weekends
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Instrumental Specialism, Creative Learning
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Youth Residential weekends
Fèis Rois and Highland Culture Collective organised a series of residential weekends in 2023. Their focus was on creating a fun and supportive environment for young people to learn and use Gaelic – all whilst spending time with friends and meeting new people and trying different activities with brilliant tutors.
Keep an eye on the Fèis Rois website for future opportunities.
https://feisrois.org/residential-feisan/residentialweekends/
Weekly Classes
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Fèis Rois has a weekly, in-person, community classes programme for young people and adults, that runs throughout the academic year. Instruments taught include accordion, clarsach (harp), fiddle and guitar from beginner upwards. More information can be found on the Fèis Rois website or by contacting Tj at tj.bawden@feisrois.org
These instrumental classes are held in various venues in Dingwall and the youth classes are open to children and young people in P4 up to S6.
Fèis Rois offer a small number of one-to-one sessions for young people who, for whatever reason, are unable to take part in a group class. Get in touch with the Community Engagement Officer to find out more.
Subject to availability: free instrument hire is included in Fèis Rois classes.
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Voices In Bloom
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, instrumental specialism, ensemble experience, Voice.
Voices in Bloom is a free singing workshop for adults, running on Tuesdays, during term time, at the Perrins Centre, Alness. Each week participants learn popular songs and explore harmonies. Lyric sheets are provided, as well as free tea, coffee and biscuits and access to a tap to fill your own water bottle. The dates of these workshops, and how to sign up for free, can be found on the Fèis Rois website.
Fèis Club
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Instrumental Specialism, Creative Learning
Fèis Club is a new informal and fun after school music-making experience for children and young people in Tain, Invergordon, Alness and Ullapool. This project is funded by the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative and is a partnership project with local schools.
Up to 16 young people in each area come along to enjoy a free, weekly, 1.5hour music-making session led by two experienced Fèis Rois music tutors. The sessions start with a free snack before lots of musical fun & games. Each week, the group explores rhythm, singing and playing together. No musical experience is necessary, and Fèis Club will provide instruments to anyone who would like to learn. We also encourage children who already play to bring along their own instruments too.
Ceilidh Trail
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, performance specialism, ensemble.
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
The Ceilidh Trail is a paid summer job and professional development opportunity for outstanding young traditional musicians. The Ceilidh Trail works with musicians between 16 and 25 who spend the summer playing music, travelling throughout Scotland and beyond, and gain experience playing for a wide variety of contexts.
In the past, Ceilidh Trail participants have had the opportunity to collaborate with musicians from Australia, Canada, England, and Wales who come on exchanges during the summer.
Participants take part in a training week before the tour begins, where they take part in workshops about live sound, performance skills and dance calling, and work in groups to arrange a varied set of tunes and songs.
Following their summer gig programme, the Ceilidh Trail groups have often gone on to perform at festivals such as Celtic Connections. View one of their performances here:
To find out if a ceilidh trail is playing at a venue near you this summer, check out the gig listings here: https://feisrois.org/?projects=ceilidh-trail
Information on how to apply for the 2024 Ceilidh Trail will be available on the Fèis Rois website and social media platforms by the end of 2023. Auditions are usually held around January / February time.
Traditional Scottish Music in Schools
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Songwriting, Composition, performance specialism, primary, secondary
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Fèis Rois works in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal and High Life Highland, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Live Life Aberdeenshire to deliver traditional Scottish music programmes in primary schools in these local authority areas. The projects are funded through the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI). In 2022-23 Fèis Rois delivered weekly traditional music projects with 280 primary classes across the country.
Fèis Rois also provides bespoke music education projects in primary and secondary schools across Scotland, based on the learning requirements of the individual schools and local authorities. For information, contact Education Manager, Rachael Duff at rachael.duff@feisrois.org
Resources
(Photo credit- Christian Gamauf)
Fèis Rois Foghlam is a free music resource site. It has a database of traditional Scots and Gaelic songs suitable for using with school pupils. Each song has the sheet music, lyrics and an MP3 file. Some of the songs include pupil activity sheets, YouTube links and additional musical parts and all the material can be downloaded. http://www.feisroisfoghlam.org/
Online music activities, created by YMI tutors, can be accessed via the Fèis Time playlist on the Fèis Rois YouTube channel.
Also located on the Fèis Rois YouTube channel are a series of free Gaelic song, tin whistle, fiddle and guitar lessons. https://www.youtube.com/@FeisRois/playlists
Fèis Rois was a partner on the recent Dandelion Project. During this project a schools resource was created, which includes a new Scots and Gaelic digital songs book. https://dandelion.scot/schools/music-and-creativity/
Early Years
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, creative learning, early years, participatory.
In 2016 Fèis Rois launched its first app, Fun Folk, aimed at young children. Through fun interactive activities, animations and films, the app helps introduce children, aged five and under, to Scottish traditional music, song, stories and ceilidh dancing. The app includes material in both Gaelic and Scots language and has a downloadable follow-up activity pack.
Inclusion
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, participatory, ASN.
(Photo credit- Derek Gordon)
Fèis Rois is an inclusive organisation that supports people to participate in their regular programme of activities, wherever possible. Fèis Rois has also developed bespoke traditional music making projects for young people who, for various reasons, require a more bespoke learning approach. For example, Fèis Rois works in secondary schools with care experienced young people, and those struggling in mainstream education, to provide one-to-one or small group music sessions.
Through the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Fèis Rois works with SEN schools and units across the country to deliver traditional music making and song workshops for young people with a wide array of learning and support needs.
Spotlight On… Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is one of Creative Scotland’s regularly funded organisations and supports 47 tuition-based Fèisean that offer tuition in the Gaelic arts with a particular emphasis on traditional music and Gaelic song as well as drama, dance, and other cultural experiences. Around 6,000 young people take part annually and out of these participants, the Cèilidh Trail initiative has grown with young musicians and Gaelic singers experiencing life as a touring musician and collectively playing to over 10,000 people annually.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal also runs the Fèisgoil service to deliver work in schools, including music tuition through the Youth Music Initiative and teaching Gaelic language to support GLE and 1+2 languages, using Gaelic song as an essential tool for language acquisition.
Over the past two decades, Fèisean nan Gàidheal has also been responsible for delivering the Blas Festival, in partnership with The Highland Council, promoting Gaelic song and traditional music through the 9 day Highland-wide event.
Some of Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s work is summarised below.
Fèisean
See also: Participatory, primary, secondary, lifelong learning, songwriting, composition, Instrumental specialism, vocal, ensemble, musicianship, creative learning
Fèis (plural Fèisean) is the Gaelic word for a festival or feast, but over the past forty years the word has become synonymous with the Fèis movement; a group of Gaelic arts tuition festivals, mainly for young people, which now take place throughout Scotland.
A Fèis is an opportunity for individuals to come together to develop skills in the Gaelic arts – song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments. Most Fèisean are an annual, week-long festival, but increasingly Fèisean offer a full programme of year-round follow-on classes to ensure sustained provision. Today there are 47 Fèisean, each one community-led and tailored to local needs.
The skills taught at Fèisean are a highly-valued aspect of the informal education of young people, and the Fèisean are seen by many as one of the most successful arts initiatives in Scotland.
Supporting resources available include a downloadable support pack as well as Information on safeguarding:
https://www.feisean.org/wp-content/uploads/Pasgan-Taice-nam-Feisean-2023-2024.pdf
Musical instruments
See also: Music instrument libraries, Scottish traditional, instrumental specialism
Supported by Creative Scotland National Lottery Funding, Fèisean nan Gàidheal operates a Musical Instrument Bank that ensures Fèisean have access to instruments, free of charge, when they require them for teaching purposes.
At other times, instruments are available for hire at the following rates:
- Clarsach – £20
- Fiddle 1/4 or 1/2 – £5
- Fiddle 3/4 or 4/4 – £8
- Accordion – £8
- Keyboard – £8
- Guitar – £8
Gaelic resources
See also: Online, participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning.
Each Fèis is encouraged to give its participants the opportunity to learn and use Gaelic in a fun and enjoyable way. Through games and activities, Fèis participants unfamiliar with the Gaelic language and intermediate learners are taught a range of useful Gaelic words and phrases. Fluent Gaelic speakers are also catered for with games and activities, which aim to build their confidence in the language and encourage conversational Gaelic with their peers.
https://www.feisean.org/en/feisean-en/sgioba-g/
There are additional language learning resources available through FnG’s Fèisgoil service.
Fuaran
See also: Online, participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning.
Fuaran is a Gaelic song resource. Since the project was launched in 2014, more than 70 young people aged 16-25 have taken part in training and song workshops, led by a host of leading Gaelic song and research experts. Some of them have gone on to conduct more in-depth research including interviews with people in several communities, as well as scouring the online archives and physical collections which exist of Gaelic tradition.
This website features new recordings of some of the songs the participants have collected. This will be a useful resource for Gaelic singers and teachers and those with a general interest in Gaelic song.
Fèisgoil
See also: Online, participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Fèisgoil delivers language, music, arts and cultural services to schools, local authorities, public bodies and community groups across Scotland.
Examples of services Fèisgoil offers include:
- Gaelic sessions in primary schools where Gaelic is taught as an additional language (L1+2)
- Music and song classes in schools (eg YMI, Seinn, Mòd Academy)
- Gaelic taster days and mini-fèisean in schools
- Gaelic drama tours and workshops
- Inter-generational language sessions to enrich pupils’ Gaelic
- Activities delivered through Gaelic at Fèisean and community events.
- Unique projects tying place to traditional and contemporary culture, usually with specific reference to language and song.
- Gaelic Awareness Training sessions to local authorities and other public bodies looking to fulfil the obligations of their Gaelic Language Plan.
You can read more about Fèisgoil here and see a short video about the Blasad Gàidhlig classes in schools below. You can find some of the teaching resources that are used as part of the Fèisgoil service on each project’s page.
Youth Music Initiative
See also: Curriculum, participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning, instrumental specialism.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal continues to enjoy a successful Youth Music Initiative (YMI) partnership with High Life Highland, delivering 8 weeks per year of an introduction to traditional music in all 173 primary schools in the area. Identification of target classes allows for progression and development, particularly as the Initiative has been running for twenty years. Pupils and schools now see YMI (traditional) as an established part of the curriculum.
In order not to duplicate or interfere with any existing music provision in schools, the scheme focuses on three main areas; tin whistle, song (particularly Gaelic) and group music, although a more flexible approach has developed allowing YMI (traditional) to meet the needs of individual schools/pupils.
Mòd Academy
See also: Participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning, instrumental specialism, voice.
Since Mòd Academy began, Fèisgoil, in partnership with An Comunn Gàidhealach and the local authority where the Royal National Mòd will be taking place that year, have been delivering the service, sending a team of tutors in to support local schools where teachers and pupils wish to learn a Gaelic song and/or poem in order to take part in the Mòd.
Seinn (Gaelic Song Tuition)
See also: Participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning, instrumental specialism, voice.
Working in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES), Fèisean nan Gàidheal lead Gaelic song sessions in all 6 of their Uist and Barra schools.
Tutors embrace the opportunity to deliver songs with local connections and re-engage island children with songs from their own communities wherever possible. You can find the songs taught in 2022-23 here.
Unique Projects
Mini-Fèis – a team of Gaelic speaking tutors visit secondary age children to showcase opportunities and fun through Gaelic. Music always plays an important role with workshops offered in various disciplines depending on the specific skill set of each tutor team.
Treòir Voar Virr – a two year programme, running 2021-2023, funded directly by The Scottish Government as a covid recovery project to connect island based primary schools with creative artists living locally. From this we have a detailed traditional song resource, the majority in Gaelic but with some also in Orcadian Scots as well as Shetlæn Dialect.
Oide– traditional music and Gaelic song teaching sessions available at different levels through FèisTV
Further music resources from FnG – early years through to young adults:
- Gaelic songs contained within a variety of FnG resources can be accessed here.
- During covid19 lockdown, Fèisean nan Gàidheal responded to the pandemic with a variety of new online resources, some of which are still available below.
#cleachdiaigantaigh
See also: Online, participatory, primary, secondary, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning.
#cleachdiaigantaigh is Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s online resource for online, distance and home based learning. Below is a list of all of the activities and events you can take part in and use, along with their suggested age groups. Click on the links to view the content and sign up for our #cleachdiaigantaigh events.
Early Years Ages 3-8
A new early years song resource from the Fèisgoil cupboard.
Primary School Pupils
Tutagan
Live song game sessions from the Blasad Gàidhlig resource.
Fèis Air Loidhne
Free music classes through the medium of Gaelic. *Classes are currently full but keep an eye out for more opportunities coming soon.
Teenagers and Young People
Cafe Bheairteis
An opportunity to speak to young Gaelic speakers around the world.
Fèis nan Deugairean Air Loidhne
More opportunities for teenagers coming soon.
Everyone
Tac an Teine Air Loidhne
An Online Gaelic Medium singing session.
Oide
New learning resource, Oide, is online now!
Saoghal na Cloinne Bige
See also: Online, Participatory, early years, musicianship, creative learning, Scottish traditional. Lifelong learning, voice.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is delighted to welcome the launch of Saoghal na Cloinne Bige. The twenty-six songs, which are targeted at the early years stage, were commissioned by the Comhairle and produced by Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Many of the songs have been specially written for the resource and take you through many of the daily tasks in the life of a child; from waking in the morning, a trip to the shops, a visit to granny’s and, eventual, bed time.
The songs can be downloaded for free via Apple, Amazon, Spotify and are also available on YouTube. The download link can be found here .
Spotlight On… Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra
FYJO has introduced hundreds of learners between the ages 8-24 to the particular musical freedon that jazz brings, with its emphasis on improvisation and experimentation. Following the philosophy that ‘Mistakes are cool’, FYJO rehearsals are a space where it is safe to push boundaraies and develop creative skills, allowing young musicians the opportunity to grow as individuals as well as becoming confident instrumentalists.
Rehearsals
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience.
Rehearsals take place weekly on Thursdays during term-time at the Lochgelly Centre in Lochgelly. Players are asked to arrive at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start, and rehearsal finishes at 8.45pm. (Younger players can leave earlier).
Players travel from all over Fife and beyond, and any young musician is welcome to join the FYJO, as they employ an open door all-inclusive policy. FYJO do not hold auditions. FYJO accept players of any instrument- not just the ‘traditional’ big band instruments.
Anybody aged between 8 and 19 is welcome to come and watch a rehearsal on a Thursday evening if they are interested in joining.
Online Rehearsals
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience, online.
On the last Thursday of the month during term time, FYJO also run an online rehearsal. It is lead by Richard Michael with support from specialist tutors for strings, woodwind, brass, as well as rhythm section instruments. It takes place on Zoom from 7pm to 8.15pm and allows young players who are unable to travel to Lochgelly to benefit from FYJO experience.
Jazzteenies
See also: Primary, Secondary, Early Years, Online, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience
Every Thursday during term time FYJO also run a Jazzteenies session from 6.00pm to 6.30pm via Zoom. Jazzteenies sessions are led by Joanna Duncan, with Richard Michael often joining the sessions. Jazzteenies operates with the same principles of learning by ear and learning to improvise as the in person rehearsals, and are mainly aimed at younger musicians of primary school age. However, preschool or secondary school musicians are welcome if they enjoy the sessions and find them suitable for their skill level.
Events
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community, ensemble, audience.
FYJO perform live throughout Scotland, helping students to gain valuable experience in the performance arts. Students gain a better, well-rounded musical experience playing live to an audience that cannot be taught, and allows students to musically express themselves in a live setting.
Live performances also give the opportunity to raise funds for the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra to enable us to continue our musical work with students of all experiences.
Spotlight On… Givin’ it Laldie
Their Youth Music and Adult music groups run during the school term times.
All Givin’ it Laldie music sessions are FREE and are open to everyone – no auditions, no experience and no ability to read music are required.
Givin’ it Laldie is made up of a small staff team supported by freelance musicians, youth workers and volunteers. Everyone who works with Givin’ it Laldie is experienced in creating community with a passion for working with music to improve wellbeing and bring people together.
G5 Kids Choir
See also: Primary, Choral, Voice, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ensemble.
The G5 Kids Choir brings local kids from St. Francis’ and Blackfriars Primary School together to sing, make friends and have fun. They also take part in performances throughout the year and make YouTube videos. If you are p5 – p7 in either of these schools Givin’ it Laldie would love to hear from you.
Youth Guitar Group
See also: Primary, Secondary lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN, online.
G5 Guitar Kids have two sessions for young people to learn guitar together. There is a class for young people who are just beginning and another one for those who have been playing for a little while. Both are run on Wednesday afternoons after school
Please contact the Youth Music lead – Marix Leahy – to find out more: pwgivin.it.laldie@gmail.com.
TuneRoom
See also: Primary, Secondary, digital technology, hip-hop, rap, electronic, Rock and Pop, Participatory, music production, songwriting, creative Learning.
On Thursday evenings, Givin’ it Laldie run TuneRoom for young people aged 10 – 16 living in the Gorbals, Glasgow. It’s a creative, supportive and exciting space for young people to follow their passion for music, explore new ways of being musical and deepen their understanding of their creative selves. Young people learn how to create, perform, record and publish their own music (covers or originals). Participants learn the basics of music theory, music production, keyboard skills and composition with the options of learning instruments such as guitar, bass, or piano. Through this, they work individually or in bands towards a final outcome decided by the group. This could be a performance, group EP and/or a series of individual releases.
Please contact the Youth Music lead – Marix Leahy – to find out more: pwgivin.it.laldie@gmail.com.
Strum for Life
See also: Lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, Ensemble, instrumental specialism.
Strum for Life is Givin’ it Laldie’s community guitar class for all ages and stages, from complete beginners to experienced players. Guitars are provided (or you can bring your own) and the classes are based around learning to play favourite songs together (no matter what level you are).
Sing for Life
See also: See also: Lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, Ensemble, Voice, vocal/choral, online
Sing for Life is a daytime singing session which currently takes place on Wednesdays, 13:30 pm to 15:00 at Gorbals Parish Church. This is a welcoming, friendly and laid back group suitable for anyone who would enjoy a gentle, uplifting session. No previous music experience is necessary and you don’t need to have sang before.
If you would like to find out more get in touch with Chani Bond – laldiecommunity@gmail.com – 0141 280 0053
Creative Ageing
See also: See also: Lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, Health and Wellbeing, ASN.
Givin it Laldie works to develop community and connection in the older generation across the Gorbals. Creative Ageing’s main area of work is with tenants living in sheltered housing accommodation and people living with dementia. This programme takes a person-centered approach to provide connection and meaningful engagement. If you want to find out more, contact the Creative Ageing lead – Michelle Burke – pw2givin.it.laldie@gmail.com
Spotlight On… Glasgow Fiddle Workshop
GFW Classes
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, Scottish Traditional, Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble
All GFW classes take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Springburn campus of Glasgow Kelvin College. Lessons are available from beginner to advanced levels in Accordion, Banjo (4 +5 string), Bodhran, Ceilidh Band, Cello, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Mixed Instrument, Song, Ukulele, Viola and Whistle. Costs for lessons are paid on an affordable membership basis.
The ’Oral’ tradition is prioritised in much of the GFWs teaching, so reading music is not essential. GFW also run several ‘Come and Try’ sessions throughout the year, as well as Open Air Ceilidhs.
GFW Juniors
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Scottish Traditional, Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble
GFW Junior classes run on Wednesday evenings at Springburn campus of Glasgow Kelvin College. GFW tutors introduce learners aged 6-18 to making music on Fiddle, Guitar, Ukulele and Whistle.
GFW Sessions
See also: Lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, Scottish Traditional, Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble
GFW also offer Warm-up and Mixed Instrument Sessions for all levels (Slow, Tutor-led, Warm-up) to allow learners to expand on repertoire and apply what they have learned in classes. Sessions are held between the Glasgow Kelvin College Atrium, and the Islay Inn in the West End of Glasgow following the conclusion of classes. Repertoire is available on the GFW website, along with midi recordings and transcriptions/scores.
Spotlight On… Love Music Choir
Love Music creates participatory projects and new music through which young people and communities can come together with musicians in a professional setting and participate in inspirational music making. There are 2 clear strands to Love Music’s work- Community and Young People, and under each strand Love Music offers a number of projects and opportunities for people to participate.
Love Singing
See also: Lifelong Learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, Choral, Ensemble, Online.
Love Singing is a community singing initiative supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. It celebrates the resilience of choirs and their communities and its aim is to support and promote creative, healthy singing communities across Scotland.
Following five song commissions for community choirs in 2021, the next step in the Love Singing programme is to research how the community singing sector can best support itself and what external resources it needs to thrive in a post-pandemic world.
Love Singing have developed a sector-led vision and framework for a national community singing support plan from song leaders’ feedback.
You can read and review this sector support plan here.
To help support the plan you can also fill in the mapping survey.
FREE resources for choir & song leaders are also available. The Comfort Of Voices Songbook and library of video warm ups are available for you to use with your choirs.
https://sing.lovemusic.org.uk/resources/
Full details of Love singing including future events can be found by directly following the link below.
Love Music Community Choir
See also: Lifelong Learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, Choral, Ensemble, Online.
(Love Music Edinburgh Sings! – Mon 19 June 2023 – Usher Hall (© photographer Andy Catlin http://www.andycatlin.com)
The Love Music Community Choir is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and is based at Usher Hall. It is the largest community choir in the UK, with a focus on participation, and a diverse repertoire that ‘can include anything from Mozart to Joy Division’, with its eclectic music choices often following the Usher Hall’s programme. The choir is ambitious, courageous and fun; led by Love Music’s Artistic Director Stephen Deazley, the choir regularly works with internationally acclaimed musicians, and has Scottish jazz legend Dave Milligan as its resident pianist.
In 2021, the choir developed a hybrid model with some of the choir singing in the Usher Hall and a live broadcast to Zoom and YouTube for those singing at home, with vocal lines supported by professional singers.
Love Music Junior Choir
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Choral, Ensemble, Creative Learning.
(Photo Credit: Andy Catlin)
Love Music’s Junior Choir is for young people aged 8-12. Like the Community Choir, the Junior choir performs at Usher Hall. It is a fun, adventurous and inclusive choir, that can accommodate up to 200 children from across Edinburgh, on a pay what you can afford basis.
Junior Choir sings a diverse range of music from across the world in different languages, especially arranged by its inspirational choir leaders, Darla Eno and Sally Jaquet, supported by renowned educationalist Stephen Deazley, and accompanied by jazz legend Dave Milligan.
This School’s Got Soul
See also: Primary, Choral, Ensemble, Performance, Participatory.
(Photo Credit: Andy Catlin)
This School’s Got Soul is a 75-minute high energy, celebratory singing workshop with professional song leader, live band and singers, specially designed for P5-P7 classes. The workshop aims to broaden musical horizons and inspire musical curiosity, exploring classics such as Sister Sledge’s We Are Family, Bobby Hebb’s Sunny and Bill Withers Lovely Day. This School’s Got Soul can be delivered as a learning and participation workshop in partnership with local education and music services, festivals, concert halls, and professional promoters. It can be performed on large stages both indoor and outdoor. Follow the link below to contact Love Music about presenting This School’s Got Soul for your school, area, or in your venue or festival.
On This, A Winter’s Night
See also: Primary, Choral, Ensemble, Performance, Participatory.
(Photo Credit: Andy Catlin)
On This, A Winter’s Night is a creative performance project for upper primary schools conceived as a celebration of song, verse, music and light to mark the turning of the year and the transformation of the autumn season into the magic of winter. It brings together songs from around the world from a rich mix of genres alongside original creative writing and handmade lanterns made by the participants which light up the stage of the end of project performance. The number of singers and schools involved depends on the size of the venue for the final event. Following a CPD session with all teachers involved, Love Music delivers 4 or 5 singing workshops for each school class or choir. Class teachers and choir leaders continue the learning in between visits, and for the final workshop singers are joined by guest musicians who sing alongside the choirs in the performance event with a professional band. Learning is supported with both written and audio resources, meaning that teachers don’t need to be able to accompany their groups.
Punkit
See also: Primary, Secondary, Choral, Ensemble, Performance, Participatory.
(Photo credit: Ingrid Mur (imurchan.co.uk))
Punkit is an adventurous 20-minute participative music work for massed percussion. Participants are ideally aged 11-14, in transition between primary and secondary school. The piece is entirely accessible; it does not rely on core instrumental skills or previous experience, but teaches rhythm and provides high quality moments of musical inspiration. Punkit can be delivered as a learning and participation project in partnership with festivals, concert halls, local education services and music services and professional promoters. The work can be performed on large stages both indoor and outdoor, and there are two performing versions to suit venue sizes, settings and budgets. Punkit is supported by the bespoke audio and video teaching resources you can find on its website, www.punkit.lovemusic.org.uk, as well as through CPD sessions for participating teachers and by workshops delivered by the Love Music creative team and band. Final performances can also involve massed audience participation. To talk to Love Music about presenting Punkit in your area, venue, schools or festival, please contact Love Music below.
Spotlight On… Musicares
Musicares
See also: Primary, Secondary lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Musicares adopts a learner-centred and flexible approach towards musical tuition, in recognition of the complex and unpredictable nature of many care-experienced young people’s lives. Working through the barriers created by the cost and access to high quality music tuition, Musicares look to provide the most appropriate opportunities for those who are interested in music and looking for instrumental tuition, hands-on music making workshops in DJ skills, and music production. Musicares works across Scotland, and uses tutors in local areas to ensure that geographic location is not a barrier towards accessing the music education opportunities they offer. To find out more get in touch:
Online Resources
See also: Primary, Secondary lifelong learning, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN, online.
Drawing on many of the online resources developed by SoundLab, Musicares also signpost towards other external resources on their website.
Spotlight On… MusicPlus
Music Plus Mentoring
See also: Music industry, secondary, music production, songwriting, composition, musicianship, creative learning, ensemble, CPD, Rock and Pop, Scottish Traditional, Hip Hop, Rap, Electronic, Jazz, Western European Art Music.
Music Plus Mentoring is completely free, thanks to funding and support from Creative Scotland’s YMI, and is available to anybody aged 14-19 and living anywhere in Scotland. The programme looks to help prospective musicians and music industry professionals learn directly from those already forging a career in performing, songwriting, promoting, publishing, running a record label… anything to do with music!
Mentoring support ranges from instrumental tuition, advice with education, shadowing, coaching, support and making more meaningful connections within the industries. Additional support comes from the Scottish Music Centre’s connections with numerous industry bodies and educational institutions, festivals, media, venues, promoters, publishers and record labels.
Music Plus want to hear from all types of musicians or all areas of music- there are no barriers. Applying is easy and can be done online:
Spotlight On… Oi Musica
Oi Musica’s work celebrates all aspects of group music making – generating positive shared experiences, celebrating collective success, and finding common ground between players from different backgrounds.
Continually inspired by the infinite variety and possibilities that street band music offers – both as an artform and as an access route into music making – Oi Musica works with brass, massed horn sections, percussion, street drumming and more. Their programmes of work span music education, community music, live performance, artistic collaborations, festival programming, practitioner training and bespoke project design. Oi Musica work as artists and as producers, carefully designing projects and programmes to generate wide reaching benefits for everyone involved.
Schools
See also: Primary, Secondary, Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism.
Oi Musica offer a wide range of music experiences and education programmes for children and young people, working with P5 upwards: in small groups, full classes or whole school. Sessions can be instrument-focused or designed to develop learners’ creativity. Programmes can be one off sessions, or term-long programmes.
Oi Musica specialise in drums, percussion and brass, but regularly work with a broader range of instruments for creative outcomes.
Their 8-week Routes to Hoots street band programme for upper primary is delivered in collaboration with percussionist and educator Mat Clements of Where’s the One? – an exciting first experience of instrumental learning and ensemble playing. The programme has been delivered in primary schools across Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, East Lothian and Edinburgh City.
Brass Blast
See also: Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Secondary, Ensemble, instrumental specialism, community.
Brass Blast is a music project, an after school group, an exciting youth street band, a friendly and welcoming space, a learning hub for all abilities and a fun place to develop music skills and play in a band.
Founded and run by Oi Musica, Brass Blast provides specialist instrumental tuition in trumpet, trombone and street drumming (using samba drums) for all abilities, from total beginner to experienced player. Players aged 9+ are welcome and no previous musical experience necessary.
Brass Blast aims to broaden participation in music and open up opportunities to learn an instrument for children and young people who would otherwise miss out. Oi Musica offer free places for families who need them, and work hard to remove all barriers to participation. The teaching approach centres on providing positive and inspiring experiences of music, and Brass Blast is non formal, low pressure and fun.
Brass Blast works to a loose street band model: learning by ear, playing from memory and working to each player’s strengths. Players are welcome to use notation as a learning tool; but the ability to read music is not required to be part of Brass Blast. As well as receiving expert instruction in technique, embouchure and tone, players develope a whole range of skills associated with playing in a band. Oi Musica have a growing pool of young players who now lead and direct the band, and Brass Blast has a youth committee which takes an active role in designing the programme.
Shunpike Social Club
See also: Instrumental Specialism, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Ensemble, instrumental specialism.
Shunpike Social Club is a loose collective of drummers, percussionists, brass & wind players at all stages of their music journey. An all-welcome street band,, they bring Cumbia, Brazilian, New Orleans and Cuban music alive with big band flair.
Directed by Oi Musica’s Marcus Britton, along with percussion directors Sam Ward-Hardy (Jack Drum Arts) and José Rojas (El Taller) they bring celebratory sounds to parties and street festivals across Edinburgh, while providing opportunities for players at all stages to get involved in relaxed, non-formal music making that is joyous and fun.
The Tubes
See also: CPD, Instrumental Specialism, Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Secondary, Online.
The Tubes are a new street band from Oi Musica, incorporating trumpet, trombone, banjo, percussion, sousaphone, harmony singing and plenty of groove. The Tubes bring a ray of sunshine to a world recovering from tough times, playing Americana, N’Orleans jazz and a dash of home grown folk.
Let it Grow
See also: Instrumental Specialism, Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Secondary, Online.
Devised in response to Scotland’s hosting of COP26 in November 2021, Let it Grow invited music makers of all ages, abilities & genres to share a piece of music in the lead up and during the 26th UN Climate Summit, held in Glasgow. The project generated an online wave of music that expressed solidarity with those working in the climate sphere – a mass sharing of views and creative noise-making adding to the growing international call for climate justice.
Oi Musica’s collaborative composition ‘Enough is Enough’, co-written with Karine Polwart and Heather Macleod (of the Soundhouse Choir) remains available for anyone to learn, teach or perform. A comprehensive collection of lyrics, chords, notation and arrangements for choir, brass and percussion is available under ‘Downloads’ on the project website.
Spotlight On… Paragon
Our highly trained team of professional musicians and dancers create inclusive learning and performance environments where people with a wide range of additional support needs can come together to develop new skills, socialise and realise their potential.
Holistic, person-specific support is at the heart of our inclusive practice, offered to all those involved.
Through group workshops and one-to-one mentoring sessions we aim to improve teamwork and communication, raise and fulfill people’s creative aspirations, develop their skills and provide flexible and sustainable pathways to lifelong participation in the arts.
Beat It
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Beat It welcomes adults of all musical abilities, providing an opportunity to ‘jam’ and learn to play musical instruments whilst socialising and meeting new friends in an inclusive setting.
Workshops are designed to support participants in experimenting with music- making, as well as with singing, song-writing and spoken word. In turn, participants build confidence in their own musical abilities and work together towards regular performances throughout the year.
M3 Make Music Move
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
M3 is an inclusive dance and music programme aimed at teenagers with additional support needs. The aim is to encourage movement, creativity and, more importantly, to make friends and have fun!
The programme is led by trained, professional musicians and dancers, delivered through monthly one-off workshops and intensive workshop weeks in school holidays. All participants are encouraged and supported to contribute to the creation of new contemporary dance and music compositions, with a view to producing regular live performances throughout the year.
SPiN
SPiN is an inclusive dance programme designed for young disabled people (12-18yrs)
SPiN has developed out of Paragon’s adult dance group M3 who perform all over Scotland. They will be on hand to support the young dancers to get into their grooves in the amazing Dance Studio at Platform
Teas and coffees are available for parents and carers.
Sessions runs on Saturday afternoons, 1-2pm at Platform Theatre, 1000 Westerhouse Rd, Glasgow, G34 9JW
Mindful Drumming
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN, Online.
Mindful Drumming is an inclusive programme of creative music-making with drums and percussion, focused on mental health and wellbeing for adults.
Sessions are built around the playing of rhythmic sounds and an approach designed to support participants in experimenting with music and instruments, building confidence in their own musical abilities.
Letting Go is Paragon’s programme of relaxing Online yoga and mindfulness sessions for participants, carers, parents, family members and Paragon staff.
The class has been designed to be open and accessible to everyone and is suitable for people who either prefer to sit down or stand up. The focus is on breath work, mindfulness, and gentle stretching. The class can also be enjoyed together with carers, parents and family members.
GIG Get in (the) Groove
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
GIG is an inclusive music-making programme for adults across Dumfries and Galloway, run in partnership with Leonard Cheshire, Theatre Royal Dumfries, the Dumfries Baptist Church Centre and The Millennium Centre in Stranraer and with support from Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway.
GIG provides a unique opportunity to ‘jam’ and develop songs together in a social and inclusive setting, with regular performances throughout the year. Workshops are designed to support participants in experimenting with music and musical instruments, as well as with singing, song-writing and spoken word.
Resonate
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Resonate is an exciting, inclusive music-making project for young people (15 to 25yrs) in Dumfries, Newton Stewart, Stranraer and Kirkkudbright.
Resonate is a place to meet new friends and enjoy creating and exploring music, dance and visual art whilst contributing to regular performances.
https://www.paragon-music.org/resonate-dumfries-and-galloway
Sonnet
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Sonnet is an inclusive music programme for young aspiring singer-songwriters (12 to 18yrs).
Participants work together in small groups with the support of Paragon’s professional team of songwriters and instrumentalists. They are guided and encouraged to create songs and lyrics, and to bring in their own ideas to be worked into finished pieces by the group.
Sessions are now taking place in person at the Paragon office at the CCA.
Stride
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN
Stride is a Paragon band of diverse musicians who meet regularly for Sunday evening workshops at Berkeley 2 Studios. The group create their own music in different styles, incorporating the skills of individual group members, with a focus on live performance.
Paragon is committed to finding opportunities for young adults with additional support needs to gain experience in creating their own work, meeting other artists and performing to new audiences. Paragon help to remove barriers and support participants’ musical journeys to enable them to begin a career in the music industry.
Tune
See also: Primary, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Tune is a programme of fun and inclusive music sessions for young people (6-12yrs) with additional support needs.
Sessions are conducted as both group workshops and one-to-one, as required, and are open to all abilities – often culminating in a group performance. Tune gives everyone the chance to be immersed in high quality music. Paragon’s team of top professional tutors teach: keyboard; guitar; bass; percussion; saxophone; as well as singing and songwriting.
Family members of any age can join in too and experience the fun of playing music in a supportive and fun atmosphere.
Track
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN.
Track offers accessible music and dance workshops for disabled people aged 18+ who are currently enrolled, or alumni of, New College Lanarkshire.
Running in at NCL campuses in Motherwell and Cumbernauld, Track Workshops are inclusive and accessible – led by professionally trained Paragon musicians and dancers who specialise in supporting people with a range of access requirements.
Groove Artist Development Programme
See also: lifelong learning, Participatory, Creative Learning, ASN, CPD.
Groove (formerly Horizons) is an artist development programme for aspiring musicians and dancers.
Groove Offers:
- One-to-one creative mentoring with an experienced Paragon practitioner, paired to suit the participants’ creative ambitions.
- Access to group music and dance workshops designed to build participant confidence and connect with other emerging artists
- The chance to be part of a group of emerging artists who meet regularly to connect, collaborate, and share ideas.
- Performance and recording opportunities to get work to support and guidance to access funding and development opportunities, and collaborations with artists organisations to further expand participants’ creative journey.
Groove is for anyone who has faced barriers to accessing the arts in Scotland, looking for a platform for their creativity. You don’t need any prior
experience of music, dance or art to join – Groove is open and accessible for anyone aged 18+.
SAMPLE
Sample is a personalised one-to-one mentoring programme for young people
(12-18yrs) with additional support needs, offering a chance to experience what a life in the arts could be like when school ends.
Paragon’s highly trained music and dance practitioners help participants to develop a tailored programme of activity that could include songwriting, music, dance, or creative production – anything goes! Participants will gain industry-leading knowledge and performance experience – allowing them to experiment, learn, and develop a clearer picture of where a future in the arts could take them.
Spotlight On… Playlist for Life
Resource Packs
See also: Music and Health/Neurodiversity, participatory.
This downloadable resource pack is available direct from the Playlist for Life Website, and allows anybody to start building the soundtrack of their life. The resource pack helps people living with dementia and their friends, family members and carers to construct a playlist of songs that are meaningful to them, using a series of prompts or conversation starters., The prompts look for specific pieces of music from age 10-30, childhood memories, party tunes, special moments, milestones, hobbies, interests, beliefs,holidays, important places, TV themes, important people and concerts attended. The resource pack is intended to involve friends and family members in the process, and to share these memories through music.
Organisations who work with people and families living with dementia can also be sent a box containing printed copies of some of the resources in the digi-pack. Each box contains 50 copies of our Getting Started leaflet
Training
See also: Music and Health/Neurodiversity, participatory, CPD
In the past six years Playlist for Life have trained over 7,000 health and care professionals. They also offer considerable training and webinar opportunities for people living with dementia, friends, family members, educators, students and employers. Their training is intended to give the knowledge and skills needed to use playlists effectively, and to inspire participants with real-life case studies showing the powerful benefits music brings.
Training options include the following options:
- Certified Course for care homes and NHS dementia units (£20)
- Introduction to Playlists. (£50)
- Playlist for Professionals. (Free)
- Playlist for Students
- ‘Train the Trainer’ for larger organisations
- Free introductory webinar for healthcare professionals.
Take a look at the range of courses we offer by visiting Playlist for Life’s dedicated training site.
Spotlight On…Drake Music Scotland
Our music education programme Learn builds on our excellent track record of leadership in our sector in a national drive towards making Scotland a world centre for excellence and inclusion in music education. We support the transitions of young disabled musicians to strengthen musical pathways beyond school, with a focus on those wishing to gain further training and experience into adulthood.
Learn
Figurenotes
Figurenotes is an alternative form of notation that uses colour and shape. Figurenotes was initially designed to enable those with learning disabilities to play music, but it has since developed into a tool to help anybody get started. Because of it’s literal and intutitve nature, Figurenotes is ideal for beginners, those with additional support needs and for anyone who has ever struggled with notation.
All Join In – Drake Music Scotland – Credit: Sandy Butler
All Join In – Aberdeenshire – Drake Music Scotland
All Join In is Drake Music Scotland’s programme of schools projects across Scotland. Each year All Join in works with around 1,000 young people to provide music education opportunities to any young people with additional support needs. The majority of this work is delivered through Youth Music Initiative partnerships with local authorities.
Short Documentary Films
Our work in Aberdeenshire schools
Our work in Edinburgh schools
Digital Orchestra: Youth
Digital Orchestra Youth flyer
Digital Orchestra Youth – Credit Drake Music Scotland
Digital Orchestra: Youth creates and nurture new musical communities of disabled young people to explore their musical potential, learn digital instruments, form new friendships and achieve musical and personal goals. Open to disabled young people in upper secondary, and for those who have left school but want to continue with music. No experience necessary.
Digital Orchestra: Youth is based in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow from 2023.
Create
Digital Orchestra in Singapore 2018 (Photo by True Colours Festival)
Digital Orchestra
This is a ground-breaking disability-led orchestra, established in 2012 utilising inclusive music technologies to bring large scale performances to life. The orchestra has performed on international stages and has been member of the Association of British Orchestras since 2017.
NYOS collaboration 2017 (Photo by Anne Binckebanck)
iPad Lab
This innovative ensemble is led by disabled musician and technologist, Clare Johnston. Meeting weekly in Drake Music Scotland’s Edinburgh base, the iPad lab has performed in concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow including a residency at Cryptic Nights in 2019 and a collaboration with Eegeru, a new music group from Kazakhstan, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2023.
Echoes 2022 (Photo by Sandy Butler)
Digital Repertoire and recent commissioning projects
Drake Music Scotland has commissioned numerous original pieces to be performed by inclusive ensembles. We have collaborated with a wide range of partners including Hebrides Ensemble, Cryptic Nights, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Sound Festival and Nevis Ensemble.
Entwine – 2022 (Photo by Sandy Butler)
MusicSPACE
This is our in-house programme of music tuition delivered by specialist Associate Musicians. It includes weekly band and group rehearsals, individual lessons and a number of key performance opportunities to develop the experience and skills of disabled musicians. All the activity takes place in Drake Music Scotland’s own accessible and well-equipped studio in Craigmillar, Edinburgh.
CPD and Training
Drake Music Scotland offer training days on all of their inclusive technologies and Figurenotes. Current CPD and training opportunities can be found here:
(Photo by Sandy Butler)
Technology
Drake Music Scotland have been particularly innovative in their use of technology to augment and facilitate their inclusive pedagogy. These adaptive and inclusive approaches include the use of iPads, as well as specifically developed musical instruments that often involve a bespoke set up of hardware and software devices.
We have particular expertise in the following music technology:
Hardware:
iPads, Switch systems, CMPSR, ROLI blocks, Roland Handsonic, V Drums, BopPads
Software:
Logic, AbletonLIVE, Notion, Figurenotes, MaxMSP
(Photo by Sandy Butler)
(Photo by Anne Binckebanck)
Spotlight On… 12 Guitars
12 Guitars is open to hearing from anyone that might want an instrument or to learn guitar. They are also engaged heavily through community organisations, charities, local authorities, NHS, social support organisations, youth groups and clubs, schools and colleges.
Spotlight On… ABC Music Creative
They are so interested in the positive role musical creativity can play in learning and development, they wrote an academic paper on it- read it or watch a video here.
ABC Creative Music offers a wide range of online and physical resources with linked training programmes, providing a core Early Years, ASN and Primary Creativity-centred Music provision deliverable by non-specialist educators, with extensive cross-curricular reach including post-pandemic recovery (Health and Well-Being, Socialization, Emotional Literacy), Literacy & Numeracy through Music and Languages through Music (French, Spanish, Gaelic, Scots).
Resources are accessible through cost-effective subscriptions, with free trial courses available, and training options range from video, live online CPD, on-site CPD to support visits working with children and educators in classrooms. ABC staff also deliver bespoke programmes designed for individual school’s needs.
Go here for your Free Trial Courses- www.abcmusic.org.uk.
Core musicality courses- Primary
See also: Primary, Curricular, ASN.
The innovative core musical programme develops listening, rhythm pitch, vocal and instrumental skills using standard classroom instruments, with videos and creative workspaces on screen moving to small group work with handouts, all producing movement and music-making activities in the room, Smart activity design ensures positive outcomes while keeping the drama, excitement and sense of ownership that flows from authentic creative and performance experiences set within age-appropriate social music-making activities- making genuine creativity safe for children and teachers alike, driving enjoyment and engagement producing high levels of learning in both creative and non-creative learning outcomes.
The ABC course utilised creativity to engage pupils in real musical activity and as a result students learned from doing rather than just listening. Perhaps the most impressive technique was using shapes to introduce rhythm. The effectiveness of this method led to an entire P5 class correctly notating a series of random rhythms clapped by myself from the front of the class and being able to read and play a piece for chime bars from a musical score. The results, even after just 8 weeks were quite amazing and, the kids, class teacher and I loved it!!!!!
— Gavin Woods, Chair Western Isles IMT network
Here is an example interactive from Early Years- Lower Primary. Click ‘Perc’ if you want to compose with percussion sounds.
Literacy and numeracy through music-
The Literacy and Numeracy Through music strands begin in EY with a focus on auditory discrimination, phonological awareness and syllable segmentation, proceeding in lower primary to link individual and social music-making to specific literacy and numeracy processing tasks, fostering multi-sensory processing of number concepts and phoneme/grapheme patterns while precisely targeting learning of specific sounds in all major phonics and SEAL learning programmes- offering a genuinely distinct yet complementary alternative to mainstream approaches. Go here and here for more info on Literacy & Numeracy Through Music.
Here is an example interactive from the Numeracy programme…
Upper Primary creativity
See also: Primary.
Upper primary composition software and use of virtual instruments for pcs, tablet and smartphones allows ordinary classes with non-specialist teachers to compose a rich range of melodies, and explore a range of instrumental skills and practice techniques. Try using this intermediate level pitch composer yourself.
Upper Primary RAISE Programmes link musical creativity to a digital marketing programme- with P6-7 classes composing music for their own digital album using ABC’s innovative Create with Pitch software. They then market their album through social media a huge range of creative literacy numeracy and cultural learning experiences, Go here to enjoy some of the remarkable music these classes create.
African dance and drumming
See also: Participatory, Musicianship, Creative Learning
Other cross-curricular options include the richly effective African Dance and Drumming programmes- go here for an info video.
ASN/SEND
See also: Early Years, Primary, Secondary, ASN.
ABC offers a wide range of resources for use with children with ASN- from mild to severe/ complex needs. Recent developments include the launch of Secondary ASN resources with early years level musical challenge provided within more grown-up musical and visual environments. Go here for more info.
Early Years
See also: Early Years.
ABC’s award-winning Early Years resources are richly cross-curricular, available with highly-valued linked instrument bags, and are now even more cost-effective- with lesson plans delivered online, and online training videos available 24/7 to subscribers. Teach Early Years Awards for Excellence gave the resources five stars, describing the resource as ““The complete package for anyone setting up an Early Years music programme from scratch. Varied and imaginative, it develops key musical skills such as rhythm and pitch; is user-friendly, and fantastic value for money too.” – with new strands addressing post-pandemic recovery in emotional literacy and socialization. Go here for an info video and here to sign up for a free trial.
Freeplay and individual assessment/intervention
See also: Early Years, Primary,ASN.
Innovative approaches for musicality work through adult modelling in Freeplay have been developed for use in mainstream Early Years, Lower Primary and ASN settings, and the 8-dimensional framework for individual assessment and intervention is proving powerful for diagnosing and addressing the challenges and needs of individual children in in a huge range of settings across mainstream, ASN and behavioural support settings..
Pre-instrumental learning
See also: Early Years, Primary, ASN.
Pre-instrumental programmes are the focus of a current research project with Glasgow Caledonia University- giving children a head start in rhythmic skills, learning about the stave, an understanding of pitch and general confidence and engagement with music and increasing and broadening the range of children who sign up for instrumental learning opportunities. Go here for more info.
Spotlight On… Ama-zing Harmonies
Singing is a fantastic way to spread happiness and improve mental health and well-being. A sense of belonging is important for all: Ama-zing Harmonies engages the youth with music activities to boost their confidence and bring out their natural talents, whilst also promoting community development by helping people to get to know each other, increasing social cohesion and participation.
Music Education
See also: Primary, Secondary, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Instrumental Specialism, Community.
Having creative opportunities and music education are important for youth development. For the past few years Ama-zing Harmonies have partnered with the Tinderbox Project to provide instrumental education projects to youth in the North-West of Edinburgh. This involves running music workshops, providing students with access to instruments, and free music lessons.
Culture
See also: Participatory, Creative Learning, community, audiences.
Ama-zing Harmonies is a diverse group that seeks to promote tolerance and inclusion in the community. In addition to their music programmes, Ama-zing Harmonies facilitate cultural celebrations and workshops to bring awareness to specific groups in the community.
With the support of the Edinburgh Council, Robertson Trust, and the national lottery, Ama-zing Harmonies have hosted workshops, demonstrations, and activities to help learn more about the people who make up local communities. The idea behind these is to celebrate people’s heritage and promote tolerance, understanding, inclusion, and diversity in Edinburgh.
Despite being interrupted by the pandemic, Ama-zing Harmonies have so far celebrated Ethiopean, Nigerian Igbo, Haitian, Fijian, and Polish cultures.
Community Building and Health
See also: Community, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, ASN, Health and Wellbeing.
In addition to music projects, Ama-zing Harmonies have also led a Transition To Confidence Project to help support young people and adults who suffer from anxiety and isolation. The primary goal was for learners to value themselves for who they are, and strive to make decisions and plan for their own future. Key concepts were: Confidence, owning your identity, and understanding peer pressure.
The Choir
See also:, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Ensemble, vocal, choral.
The Ama-zing Harmonies Choir is a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. It provides the community with support networks and musical outlets, as well as building social connections- coming together for culture awareness, songs and fun. Ama-zing Harmonies are aiming to offer more creative opportunities to the adults in the North-West of Edinburgh as well as community singing, quiz nights, karaoke, and other music events/projects. These opportunities will allow us to help everyone in the community not only find creative opportunities but also the support they need.
Community Cookbook
See also: Participatory, community
As part of the community building, Ama-zing Harmonies have asked participants to submit recipes that encapsulate who they are, capturing adiverse range of cultural heritage. Some of these recipes are available online.
Spotlight On… Beatroute Arts
All photos by Rachel Keenan. rkeenanphoto.com
Take a Bow
See also: Primary, Secondary, Western European Art Music
Supported by the Mary Janet King Fund, Enterprising Provan, Bellahouston Bequest Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund
Take A Bow offers free weekly string tuition in violin, viola, and cello, as well as music theory and musicianship workshops for young people aged 4-25.
Allsorts
See also: Life-long learning, neurodiversity, Music and health, widening participation.
Supported by Impact Funding Partners and The National Lottery Community Fund
Beatroute Allsorts is a weekly service for adults with additional support needs and their carers, providing activities such as Music, Arts and Crafts and Yoga. Experienced tutors from University of the West of Scotland and Riverside Music College facilitate band workshops and song-writing sessions, with a focus on inclusion and accessibility.
https://www.beatroutearts.com/timeteble/event/community-lifestyles/
Youth Music Group
See also: Primary, secondary, Rock and Pop, Widening participation
Supported by The National Lottery Young Start fund and The National Lottery Community Fund
Free weekly music tuition and workshops for young people aged 13-25 at Beatroute Art Centre including song-writing workshops, music studio access and band rehearsals with experienced tutors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, University of the West of Scotland, University of the Highlands and Islands and Riverside Music College. Instruments taught include drums, vocals and guitar.
https://www.beatroutearts.com/timetable/event/youth-music-group/
Connect 21
See also: Rock and Pop, Health and Neurodiversity, Community Music Hubs
Connect 21 provides music workshops for young people with complex needs and their parents/carers. The focus of this programme is to help young people who may have recently left school transition into adult day-care services, but the group will also be open to those with additional support needs who may want to participate more broadly.
Spotlight On… Charanga
Primary – Charanga Musical School
See also: Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Online.
Charanga’s award-winning Musical School programme includes several ready-made Schemes of Work to help educators – and non-music specialists particularly – teach Curriculum for Excellence. A customisable library of songs, creative tools, interactive teaching resources, and more are included.
For teachers who perhaps work more flexibly, Charanga’s Freestyle Library allows users to mix and match resources from the Charanga platform with their own. Educators can find and save resources linked to many other areas of music-making in their school throughout the programme.
Musical School also houses YuStudio, a user-friendly, cloud-based digital audio workstation (DAW) for schools, allowing aspiring young producers to make music online. ‘Create With YuStudio’ projects support older primary-aged children in learning how to arrange and mix compositions. Teacher Guides and video tutorials support educators at every step. A licence gives every teacher and student unlimited access to the award-winning software.
Support for remote, hybrid and blended learning is provided via Yumu, a password-protected online space where students can learn, play and develop their musicianship. You’ll also find an array of singing resources, a dedicated ASN section, and courses for popular classroom music instruments in the programme.
For more information and a free trial, visit https://www.charangascotland.co.uk/site/musical-school/.
Charanga Secondary
See also: Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Secondary, Online.
YuStudio, Charanga’s full-featured, cloud-based DAW, is integral to the increasingly popular Charanga Secondary programme. Together, they offer students the perfect introduction to digital multitrack recording and sequencing – with no seat limits.
You’ll find everything in one place:
- YuStudio – a purpose-built DAW for schools.
- Ready-made projects supporting YuStudio’s use.
- Set and assess work online.
- A Bonus Library of resources to enhance your curriculum.
YuStudio Project options include an upgraded version of the award-winning VIP Studio Sessions programme, exploring contemporary genres, music technology and production, and Music and the Modern World, six progressive units covering popular curriculum themes with guided listening activities.
In the Bonus Library, you’ll find everything from interactive Rockschool Method Books supporting young drummers, electric guitarists, bassists, and ukulele and piano players to bespoke projects for special needs students.
Dedicated online workspaces allow teachers to manage and securely share personalised projects, lessons, assignments and tools with their students.
For more information and a free trial, visit https://www.charangascotland.co.uk/site/secondary/
Instrumental Music Services
See also: Instrumental Specialism, Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Secondary, Online.
Charanga has active partnerships with local authority music services across Scotland, many supported by Youth Music Initiative funding. Recognising that every music service is different, these partnerships vary in nature according to the needs of the music service, local teachers and students. Charanga offers its partners everything from support for music-making in local schools to deeper integrations around ASN and workforce development.
For more information, visit https://www.charangascotland.co.uk/site/music-services/.
CPD and training
See also: CPD, Instrumental Specialism, Curriculum, Participatory, Creative Learning, Musicianship, Primary, Secondary, Online.
CPD and training are central to all that Charanga does. Charanga is committed to working with its teaching community, schools and partners to ensure that young people’s musical learning and experiences are wholly positive.
Personalised support, guidance and professional development are offered to all Charanga teachers, while a Charanga login gives educators free access to the following:
- A named contact with a background in music education, not sales
- Topical, relevant and inspirational webinars – both live and recorded
- The latest information about local and national workshops, conferences, network meetings and opportunities to meet other teachers
Spotlight On… DD8
Bass Group
See also: Instrumental Specialism, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
Bass Group is for young people aged 16 or under to explore and learn the bass guitar. The group accommodates all levels, from beginners to advanced bass players. There is no skill level required to attend this group, as each session is person centred, and adapted for those who attend.
Jam Shed
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
JamShed sessions are designed to provide a relaxed and informal setting where the emphasis is on participation, enjoyment and social connection. Adults, 16 years and over, can build confidence and meet new people in a safe, supportive environment.
Experienced players can bring their own instrument, where newcomers can come and enjoy the atmosphere, and try any of DD8s instruments and equipment. Participants need not commit to attending every week.
Beyond the Stage
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
‘Beyond the Stage’ builds on a pilot project called ‘Set The Stage’ which ran in 2022 – Now with the support of the Young Start National Lottery Community Fund, DD8 are developing ‘Beyond the Stage’ into a recurring curriculum of personal development created via the input, feedback and ideas of both the young people involved in the pilot, and from the wider group of young people who participate in services at DD8 Music.
Beyond the Stage aims to work on building young people’s confidence, health & well-being, teamwork, planning and organising, presentation skills, musical ability, problem solving, employability skills, multi-tasking, creativity, communication skills, kinesthetic learning, awareness, leadership, social skills, building strong and positive relationships.
The learning process in Beyond the Stage is a responsive one, focussing on volunteering and employability. Participants highlight areas that they feel they need to focus on – allowing a flexible approach to learning. It will be the young people themselves who will shape activity – harnessing the expertise of the staff provided to them to enable them to reach their individual goals.
Beyond the Stage will run separate groups for Under 16s and Over 16s. Regular sessions will take place at our DD8 Music Studio space in Kirriemuir, but the project will also be available in other Angus towns, beginning with Forfar for the first intake.
The Jam Group (Under 16s)
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
Jam Group is held at the DD8 Music studio and is specifically for young people aged 16 and under. The sessions are tutor facilitated and create a space to experiment with music and different instruments. DD8 has a variety of instruments including acoustic and electric guitars, drum kits, electric pianos, bass guitars, midi keyboards, launchpads, and DJ controllers.
Youth Group
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
Youth Group is an informal after school drop-in space for young people aged 10-16, where participants can play music, experiment with instruments, do arts & crafts and play video games. Youth group is also the place where the Columnist Crew meet, who are a team of young people who use their interest in journalism to help DD8’s Youth Development Worker write the monthly newsletter ‘The DD8 Digest’
DJ Discovery
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, music technology.
The DJ Discovery 8 is a four-week programme where young people learn the skills to create mixes using high-tech equipment. Participants learn the fundamentals of DJing from the basics of rhythm and timing; to using filters, effects, scratching and looping. Effectively structuring a mix teaches young people to create and follow a plan, improve their timekeeping skills and problem solving; whilst thinking critically and creatively to enhance skills and technical repertoire. The programme gives young people a core knowledge of the musical theory such as key changes, waveforms, and BPM and the ability to implement this into their mixes. Sessions are a combination of theory and practical lessons; the theory aspect of the sessions include presentations, games, and group work. DJ Discovery 8 was fully funded by Angus Council’s Power of Youth fund until April 2023. Watch out for future developments.
Make Some Noise 16+ Project
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Ensemble, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning, Music Business.
Make Some Noise is a 12-week project for young people aged 16 and over. Participants create a recorded music track, from writing lyrics, composing music, to recording using studio equipment and DAW software. Once the track is completed the young people create imagery around their track by story boarding, filming and editing a music video.
Instrument Library
See also: See also: Instrumental Specialism, Rock and Pop, Participatory, Creative Learning.
DD8 Music are opening an instrument library, which will be open to all members of the public. Instruments available include guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and self-contained recording set-ups.
Spotlight On… DMC
Annual Conference
DMC hosts the annual Dumfries Music Conference, which is a three-day event, featuring film, discussion, workshops, Q&As, live music and exhibition. Since DMC launched in 2012 they have aimed to give the Dumfries & Galloway music scene a voice on a national level, by establishing a strong network of partners and friends from organisations that span the music industry in Scotland and beyond. The Dumfries Music Conference is a vital component in that. DMC programmes contemporary practitioners and experts to discuss the most important topics in music, running in parallel with engaging online workshops, live music and art. Now running year round, events range from reasonably priced, to completely free.
Southwest SoundClash. Photo by Kirsten McEwan Photography
The Plaza
Acting on their own independent research, DMC found ‘music venue provision’ to be the number one priority for the development and fruition of local bands and solo artists. In an act of re-imagining what the music venue is and can be, The Plaza has been established as a peripatetic, or ‘roving’ music venue. The Plaza, which takes its name from a former dancehall and concert venue on Dumfries High Street, takes over underutilised spaces, not normally used for live music performance, and showcases local talent. Every few months, the Plaza seeks out unusual, empty, abandoned or even wild spaces, to find the places where music could, and should, live.
DMC and The Plaza facilitates a greater understanding of the contribution live music makes to the local economy, and how a ‘DIY’ ethos can lead to the creative community flourishing. The Plaza affords DMC the opportunity to encourage, support and develop careers aside from music-making in photography, film, event management, programming and installation.
The Plaza and DMC have also constructed an online Toolkit for live music promotion, which provides an invaluable resource for anyone looking to promote a DIY show.
DMC. Photo by Kirsten McEwan Photography
Dripfeed
Dripfeed is a new digital video library from DMC and funded by DG Unlimited, as part of their Regional Arts Fund.
Dripfeed features 30 short videos presented by contemporary music industry practitioners, curating an insightful series of e-learning sessions. Dripfeed aims to inspire and develop independent creative skillsets in young people, offering advice and insight on a range of topics and discuss concepts and contemporary issues within several different fields in the music and creative industries.
Videos cover topics such as music photography and videography, DIY shows, staying creative in a rural area, music publishing, song writing tips and the importance of lyrics. The video library is part of DMC’s shift from an annual conference to year-round programming and support activity.
DMC Sessions. Photo by Kirsten McEwan Photography
Spotlight On… Edinburgh Youth Orchestra
Recent conductors and soloists of the orchestra have included Donald Runnicles, Sian Edwards, En Shao, Garry Walker, Julian Bliss, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Jack Liebeck, Julian Lloyd Webber, Joanna MacGregor, Nicola Benedetti, Julian Lloyd Webber and Julian Bliss.
On a typical EYO course, the orchestra undergoes a combination of sectional and full orchestral rehearsals each day for a week before giving its end-of-course concerts.
In 2019, EYO was able to try out a new venture and offer the experience of playing in an orchestra, in many cases for the first time, to young people aged 11-18 completely free of charge thanks to generous support. Under the leadership of Lawrence Gill and Claire Docherty, this course was enjoyed by almost 100 young players from 40 different schools.
Edinburgh Youth Orchestra delivered two courses in Spring and Summer 2023, and future courses will likely have similar requirements and timings. The 2023 programme is showcased here, with the expectation that future opportunities in 2024 will be similar.
Easter Ensembles Course
See also: Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Western European Art Music.
EYO’s Easter Ensembles Course is for musicians at Grade 3 and above, and in Primary 6 upwards who play an orchestral instrument. It is a free Course and there are no auditions. In 2023, it ran days from 10am to 5pm at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh from 13 – 16 April with a sharing concert for family and friends at the end to showcase the work during the course.
Players are grouped into ensembles according to ability and have the opportunity to work with professional orchestral players to develop both ensemble and individual skills. In addition, they also work in a full orchestral setting.
Check the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra website for future opportunities. Season 2024 will launch in October and applications can be made through the EYO website.
Summer Course
See also: Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Western European Art Music.
Edinburgh Youth Orchestra’s flagship Summer Course is for musicians Grade 6+ aged between 13 and 21. In 2023 it was led once again by Sian Edwards and included a varied and colourful programme of orchestral music including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.
The Summer Course had a ‘Pre-Course Weekend’ running 10am-5pm on the 11-12th March, and the course itself ran from all day from the 5th– 9th August 2023, with Summer concerts from the 10-12th August in Paisley Abbey and Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh.
As an indication, applications generally close in December, so keep an eye out for 2024 information.
Successful applicants are required to pay course fees to confirm their place, but EYO is committed to ensuring that its courses are accessible to all, and financial assistance is available to successful applicants.
Spotlight On… Ensemble
Songwriting workshops
Ensemble’s songwriting workshops are facilitated by a roster of musicians and artists that have included Donna Maciocia, Jo Mango, Clare McBrien, Zoe Graham, Jonnie Common, Djana Gabrielle, Jill O’Sullivan, Ross Clark, Lucy Cathcart Froden, Jamie Scott, Michael Timmons, Goodnight Louisa, and Martha Ffion. The workshops provide a safe space for participants to create lyrical and musical work, often with a specific thematic focus or stimulus, and often around the experiences of mental health, asylum seeking and homelessness. The workshops are intended to work for all musical abilities, and allow participants to take part in the way that works best for them, with the support of the musicians, Wheatley Care staff, and volunteers.
Recordings
Recordings are often created in the songwriting workshops using mobile recording solutions and Digital Audio Workstations, and in previous years Ensemble has also taken participants into professional recording studios to record their work. The debut album ‘No Place Like it’ was released in 2021. The collection of songs received widespread critical acclaim and can be found here:
Live work
Ensemble also hosts live showcases of their work, again with participants being supported by experienced, professional musicians. The most recent performance took place following a block of songwriting in February 2023.
Spotlight On… Erskine Arts
Instrumental Tuition
See also: Primary, Secondary, Rock and Pop, Instrumental Specialism
Lessons are delivered in groups by Erskine Arts tutors, and range from Ukulele lessons for P3 – P5, Piano lessons from P3 to S6, and guitar, bass and drum lessons for p5-S6. Lessons are very reasonably priced at £20 per month, or roughly £6 per class. Groups are arranged by ability level. Further guidance on Erskine Arts instrumental tuition can be found here:
Adult Lessons
See also: Life-long learning, Music and health, widening participation.
In addition to the programme of instrumental lessons available to those of school age, Erskine Arts also caters for those over the age of 18 who want to learn guitar, drums or piano. Booking is also conducted over the Erskine Arts Website:
Youth Jam Sessions
See also: See also: Secondary, Music and health, widening participation, Rock and Pop.
Erskine Arts run a free of charge jam night for secondary aged young people. Facilitated by Erskine Arts tutors, the jam night gives young people the opportunity to develop their instrumental skills in group and band contexts, whether working on covers or original music, in a safe and supportive environment.
Adult Jam Sessions
See also: See also: Life-long learning, Music and health, widening participation, Rock and Pop.
In addition to focussed instrumental lessons, there is also the opportunity for adults to try out new instrumental skills in group and band contexts, whether working on covers or perhaps working on your own music, in a safe and supportive environment, facilitated by Erskine Arts tutors. This is completely free of charge.
Piece N Music
See also: Lifelong Learning, Health and Neurodiversity, Community Music Hubs
Piece N Music is also completely free of charge and run by volunteers on Mondays and Fridays between 11am-1pm. The simple premise is that people can get together and listen to music over a free bowl of soup and a sandwich.
The Crew
See also: See also: Primary, Secondary, Music and health, widening participation, Rock and Pop.
The Crew meet once a week on Tuesdays between 4:30pm until 6:30pm to discuss and operationalise the cultural strategy and activity of Erskine Arts. There are specific workshops that tackle podcast creation, social media content, film-making and external activity and hires, that The Crew regularly staff.
PA and Production Hires
See also: See also: Life-long learning, Music and health, widening participation, Rock and Pop.
As a way of increasing opportunities and facilitating transitions into the world of education and work, Erskine Arts also provide PA hires for events around Renfrewshire, staffed and run by Crew members and volunteers. Run as a commercial business, PA and staging can be provided for smaller acoustic events and book festivals, medium events such as music events and conferences, right up to outdoor stages and Gala day events.
Spotlight On… Fèis Phàislig
Gaelic Choir
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Vocal/Choral.
The Fèis Phàislig Gaelic Choir provides an opportunity for young people to come together and sing in a fun environment. Participants do not require previous knowledge of Gaelic to join and have the opportunity to compete in local and national competitions including the Royal National Mòd.
In partnership with Renfrewshire Council, and with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, participation in the choir is free for all participants. Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings during term time.
Weekly Féis Beag
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs
Weekly Fèis Bheag sessions give an introduction to traditional music, song, dance, art and Gaelic for 5-7 year olds. Participants experience different elements of the main Fèis classes, and are given opportunities to perform at concerts.
Fèis Bheag sessions take place on Saturday mornings during term-time and are offered in either Gaelic or English, lasting approximately 50 minutes. For pupils in English-medium education, sessions will be delivered in English with elements of Gaelic. For those with fluency in Gaelic or in Gaelic-medium education, sessions will be delivered in Gaelic.
Places are limited and offered on a first-come-first-served basis, and cost £4 per lesson at the time of publication. Fèis Phàislig have a limited number of fully funded places at their events for pupils eligible for a clothing grant or free school meals.
Féis Week
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs
Every July, the Fèis Week offers an intensive week of arts workshops for young people aged 5-18. Working with some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians, participants are able to develop their skills, take part in the finale concert and most importantly, have fun.
The Fèis Week is split into 3 key stages, reflecting Fèis Phaislig’s broader structure:
- Fèis Bheag (or ‘Wee Fèis’) offers an introduction to traditional music and Gaelic song for 5-7 year olds
- The Main Fèis Week offers come-and-try workshops with music, song dance for 8-18 year olds
- The Advanced Fèis Week offers a series of developmental workshops for secondary school pupils who can already play an instrument.
Weekly Lessons
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs
Fèis Phaislig’s Weekly Lessons programme provides year-round music tuition for young people across Renfrewshire. Classes take place on Saturday mornings during term time, where participants are offered 1hr tuition every week. Fèis Phaislig currently deliver tuition in accordion, fiddle and guitar with newstart places aimed at Primary 5 level (although other age and ability levels are considered). Fèis Phaislig have a supply of instruments available to hire for those that do not have their own.
No experience is required and classes are delivered in a group environment, with weekly targets and practice diaries forming an essential part of the learning culture. Events are held throughout the year to showcase the progress of the participants and give friends and family the opportunity to observe the progress being made.
Advanced Band
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, instrumental specialism, ensemble experience.
Fèis Phaislig offer an Advanced band programme that runs as part of their Weekly Lessons programme on Saturdays during term-time. This is aimed at secondary pupils who can already play an instrument. Musicians work within a mixed-instrument group with a member of the tutor team to develop their musicianship and performance skills.
Ceilidh Trail
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs
The Fèis Phàislig Ceilidh Trail gives early career musicians aged 16-25 the opportunity to experience life on the road as a traditional musician. The project welcomes those who are passionate about traditional music and considering a career as a musician to audition. The successful musicians join together to rehearse under the guidance of professional musicians from Fèis Phàislig, and arrange a programme of traditional music and song. They also join with young musicians from other Fèisean for an intensive training week (Fèis Alba) in Plockton. The group then perform their music in a range of settings as a part of a two-week professional summer tour in a diverse range of settings. This includes performances in community settings such as: care homes; nurseries; charities; community groups; libraries, as well as higher profile ticketed events. Participants are paid a competitive weekly wage, and have their expenses reimbursed.
During the Ceilidh Trail project, participants learn: about PA systems and live sound; how to call dances and play for Ceilidhs; to develop arranging skills and stagecraft, Gaelic language skills and how to introduce sets bilingually; the importance of music within the community and how to tailor performances to suit audiences of all ages.
Mód Phàislig 2023
See also: Scottish Traditional, Community Hubs, Songwriting, Composition, performance specialism.
This year, Paisley is hosting Mód Phàislig from Friday 13th – Saturday 21st October 2023. As part of the organising committee, Fèis Phàislig, in partnership with Love Local, Love Paisley are running a competition to write the official tune of Mód Phàislig 2023, to be performed at a large-scale concert at the Mód.
Spotlight On… Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra
Tommy Smith set up the TSYJO to offer a place where all young talented musicians, regardless of financial status, could audition to be part of a first-class big band for free; all you needed was your skill.
Membership
See also: Instrumental specialism, Ensemble, musicianship, Jazz.
Membership of the TSYJO is based only on the ability to play rather than to pay. The TSYJO want to ensure that there is no barrier to participation. Their “free for all” policy, therefore, requires no financial commitment from musicians or family. All travel, accommodation and substance costs on overnight trips will be reimbursed.
Opportunities
See also: Instrumental specialism, Ensemble, musicianship, Jazz
Developing as part of a high quality, functioning big band is the fundamental principal of the TSYJO. As part of the orchestra, there are numerous professional level opportunities, including rehearsals with Tommy Smith, live performances in world class venues, participation in studio and live recordings, collaborations with special Guest Artists, and mentoring from members of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
Objectives
See also: Instrumental specialism, Ensemble, musicianship, Jazz
- To promote regular concerts throughout Scotland to enable the TSYJO to grow musically through the experience of performing for live audiences
- To stimulate the pursuit of jazz role models by providing inspiration and opportunities for young musicians to express themselves on a public stage
- To tour with the best young jazz musicians in Scotland and reach out to other promising gifted young musicians in schools throughout Scotland to give an incentive for students to perceive and pursue higher goals and visions in the jazz language
- To continue to integrate a variety of special guests from the professional SNJO and other experienced jazz artists into the youth jazz orchestra in order to inspire, mentor and coach the young musicians to higher levels of achievement
- To create and promote large-scale educational projects, concerts and recordings that involve amateur Scottish jazz musicians from the SNJO’s youth wing alongside professional musicians from the SNJO and special guests.
Audition
See also: Instrumental specialism, Ensemble, musicianship, Jazz
To be eligible for the TSYJO you must…
- be aged between 12 – 24yrs inclusive
- improvise
- read music
- practice every day
- play either Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar, or Sing
- be a resident or student studying in Scotland
Spotlight On… Vox Liminis
Unbound
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory
Unbound is the ongoing creative community of Vox Liminis, who have diverse experience of the criminal justice system. Set up in the winter of 2014, Unbound began as a response to people who had been involved in Vox Liminis projects while in prison getting in touch after release.
The community is made up of former and serving prisoners (on home leave, or communicating via email-a-prisoner), people on community sentences, their families, artists, academics, and people who work in the criminal justice system.
Unbound’s normal pattern is to congregate on a Tuesday evening in Glasgow’s East End, eat a meal, and write songs together. Some of the community live further away, and join for occasional projects beyond the regular weekly routine.
In Tune
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory
In Tune creates a space within prison where parents can be parents, and children can be children, despite the considerable disruption to family life. On any given In Tune session families will sing and play along to well-known songs, write their very own nursery rhymes or do some arts and crafts.
Vox Liminis try to get the balance right in each session, giving families the space to catch up, but also providing a range of different musical activities they can take ownership of and enjoy together.
The focus is on what they can make as a group, not where they find themselves.
Distant Voices
See also: Community, Care Experienced and Vulnerable young people, Songwriting, participatory
Distant Voices is a project that explores crime, punishment and reintegration through songwriting and other forms of creative expression. Vox Liminis pair some of Scotland’s best songwriters with people who’ve experienced the criminal justice system from lots of different angles. This has included people in prison, social workers, probation officers, prison officers and governors, as well as those affected by an experience of crime, or participants in communities and families who receive people coming home. Through the project, hundreds of songs have been written which tell vivid stories about the complexities of living through and coming home after punishment. Vox Liminis bring these stories to a wider audience through performing, recording and releasing the songs, recognising the power of music to connect us and to spark (sometimes complicated) conversations. Vox Liminis also try to capture the learning that comes out of this process of creating and sharing.
Updates from Beat Buddies Music
Hello Everyone!
What a joy to be able to provide a short end of school year Beat Buddies Music update to the MEPG membership.I hope that you are all keeping well…and busy! It’s certainly been a busy year here at Beat Buddies, and I continue to be honoured and blessed by the support and belief extended by the MEPG and extended creative partnership communities. Thank you all very much.
Since the time of my last newsletter update in 2022, I am delighted and proud to share that Beat Buddies Music now features within the service provider frameworks of 10 Scottish local authorities. During the course of school year 2022/23 we have delivered quality inclusive music-making experiences to 3300 children and young people. I have been touched by the level of positive and praising feedback received from our partner schools, project participants and local authorities – one West Partnership primary school referenced Beat Buddies Music activities as being “a game-changer for creativity and music-making in their school“. Of equal power and relevance have been the countless acknowledgements from the children and young people themselves stating the level of enjoyment they gain from their Beat Buddies Music sessions.
Beat Buddies Music is really proud of our strong partnership link with Creative Scotland through the Youth Music Initiative, and it has been an honour to be selected as the annual case study project for both local authorities we deliver YMI activities for. I was also delighted to catch up with and provide a presentation session to many colleagues at the wonderful YMI Anniversary event in Renfrew earlier this year.
It has been so rewarding to see the music education sector recover and return to (almost) where it was pre-Covid. What a journey for all involved, and what a test of resilience and belief for organisations and music services to bounce back with such gusto. To stand in front of, and direct, three whole-school Beat Buddies Music performances (200 pupils per performance) last week provided a real sense and feeling of being back to ‘normal’. Having a large, praising and real life audience of parents and community members in attendance provided the cherry on top of the icing on the cake. Here’s to many more marvellous musical occasions during 2023/24!
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy summer.
June updates from Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Fèisean an t-samhraidh | Summer Fèisean
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to see the summer Fèisean, Gaelic arts tuition festivals, throughout the country back to full strength. To find out more, please click on the individual Fèis as listed here.
Cèilidhean air Chuairt | Cèilidh Trails 2023
This year more than forty young people aged between sixteen and twenty-five will spend their summer touring their local areas and further afield on the Fèisean Cèilidh Trails. Groups from Badenoch and Strathspey, Ross-shire, Paisley, Lochaber, Argyll and the North Coast will undertake an impressive variety of gigs, playing cèilidh dances, formal concerts, support slots at summer festivals and sessions.
Before taking to the road, all participants will take part in their respective training events which will help to develop the skills they will need on tour and provide essential rehearsal time. While on the tour, a number of participants will also undertake a formal NPA qualification supported by West Highland College, giving them a recognised qualification as well as real life experience of performing and touring.
Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for more info.
Bileag Òrain | Song Booklet
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new resource which celebrates the rich song traditions of the Highlands and Islands, Orkney and Shetland. This resource marks the end of Treòir Voar Virr, our multi-arts inter-island project funded directly by The Scottish Government which has run for the last two years in island schools across Scotland.
The TVV Song Booklet represents a collaborative effort from singers involved in the project who have generously shared the songs of their local areas with us. This has resulted in a total of 83 songs from the Gaelic song tradition and those of Orkney and Shetland with lyrics, translations, further information and recordings of the songs.
We hope this will be an invaluable resource for teachers, pupils, families, musicians and the people of these island communities.
Spotlight On… NYCOS
Mini Music Makers
See also: Participatory, Early Years
Mini Music Makers is delivered in Glasgow, Linlithgow, Dollar and Stirling. NYCOS sessions for babies and toddlers use singing, movement and play to support cognitive, language and motor skills. The emphasis is on fun: tickling games, bouncing songs and lullabies which bring music to life.
The weekly 40-minute classes provide parents/carers and children the opportunity to make and enjoy music together in a fun and friendly setting. These playful sessions are an engaging introduction to music and provide quality time.
Find out more about your nearest Mini Music Makers session below.
- Dollar (Aged 0-5) https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/mini-music-makers-dollar/
- Glasgow (Aged 0-7) https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/mini-music-makers-glasgow/
- Linlithgow (Aged 0-5) https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/mini-music-makers-linlithgow/
- Stirling (Aged 0-5) https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/mini-music-makers-stirling/
NYCOS Chamber Choir
See also: Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism, Ensemble experience.
NYCOS Chamber Choir is a choir for very experienced 18-25 year old singers. Members of the Chamber Choir are chosen from existing NYCOS members, but membership is entirely free. The Chamber Choir was formed in 2022 to offer additional high-level performance opportunities to experienced National Youth Choir of Scotland singers.
National Boys Choir
See also: Performance specialism, Vocal, Ensemble experience, Western European Art Music.
The National choir for boys is for singers aged 10-17, and is split into three stages dependent on age and experience. These stages are: The training choir, National Choir, and the Changing Voices Choir. Fees are currently paid in 3 instalments of £165 for National Boys Choir and Changing Voice Choir or 3 instalments of £135 for the Training Choir. However, nobody will be excluded on financial grounds and bursaries are available for up to 100% of fees. To find out more information on the National Boys Choir, click the link below:
National Girls Choir
See also: See also: Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism, Ensemble experience.
The National Girls Choir is for singers aged 12-17, and is split into two stages dependent on age and experience. These stages are: The Training Choir and National Choir. Fees are currently paid in 3 instalments of £165 for National Boys Choir and Changing Voice Choir or 3 instalments of £135 for the Training Choir. However, nobody will be excluded on financial grounds and bursaries are available for up to 100% of fees. To find out more information on the National Boys Choir, click the link below:
National Youth Choir of Scotland
See also: See also: Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism, Ensemble experience.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland is a for outstanding singers aged 16-25. The National Youth Choir of Scotland is Split into three stages; The NYCOS Touring Choir, NYCOS Scotland and the NYCOS Training Choir. Fees are paid in 5 instalments of £113 for NYCOS Scotland or 5 instalments of £103 for NYCOS Training Choir. NYCOS Touring Choir costs will be communicated to members.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/national-youth-choir-of-scotland/
NYCOS Regional Choirs
See also: Western European Art Music, Vocal, Performance Specialism, Ensemble experience.
NYCOS run 14 regional choirs around Scotland that act as feeders for the national choir, as well as providing more geographically accessible opportunities to participate in high quality choir settings.
NYCOS Aberdeen Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Aberdeen during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-aberdeen-choir/
NYCOS Angus Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Forfar during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-angus-choir/
NYCOS Dumfries Choir
Choir for 7-18 year olds that meets each week in Dumfries during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-dumfries-choir/
NYCOS Dundee Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Dundee during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-dundee-choir/
NYCOS East Dunbartonshire Boys Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in East Dunbartonshire during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-east-dunbartonshire-boys-choir/
NYCOS Edinburgh Choir
Choir for 7-18 year olds that meets each week in Edinburgh during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-edinburgh-choir/
NYCOS Falkirk Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Falkirk during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-falkirk-choir/
NYCOS Inverness Choir
Choir for 7-18 year olds that meets each week in Inverness during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-inverness-choir/
NYCOS Isle of Lewis Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Stornoway during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-isle-of-lewis-choir/
NYCOS Midlothian Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Dalkeith during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. 7The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-midlothian-choir/
NYCOS Perth Boys Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Perth during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
NYCOS Renfrewshire Choir
Choir for 7-18 year olds that meets each week in Paisley during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-renfrewshire-choir/
NYCOS Stirling Choir
Choir for ages 7-18 that meets each week in Dunblane during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/choirs/nycos-stirling-choir/
NYCOS West Lothian Choir
Choir for 7-18 year olds that meets each week in West Calder during term time for rehearsals – a total of 30 weeks each year. Rehearsals last from 1 hour at Junior Choir stage up to 2.5 – 3 hours for older children. The annual membership fee for Junior Choir is £165. Bursaries available for up to 100% of fees based on income and other siblings.
Training for Music Practitioners
See also: CPD for teachers, Professional Support for Musicians, ASN.
NYCOS works in a variety of ways to support music education at all levels, providing training for music practitioners, specialist and non-specialist teachers at primary, secondary, further and higher education levels. NYCOS is regularly called on to provide training for local authority partners and non-formal sector organisations such as Sistema Scotland, Scottish Book Trust and Live Music Now. Current pricing around £139 per course, although some are free of charge.
You can join our Creative Learning mailing list to be kept up to date with all training opportunities: Creative Learning Mailing List
Forthcoming opportunities will also be posted to the website below.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/learn/training-for-music-practioners/
Musicianship and Methodology Classes
See also: CPD for teachers, Professional Support for Musicians,
Since July 2020, NYCOS have been running online courses in Musicianship and Methodology and engaged with musicians, class teachers, students and specialists from 23 countries across the world as well in the UK. These classes are accredited in partnership with British Kodály Academy through CPD UK, but assessments are optional. NYCOS offers single training days on our Bronze, Silver and Gold musicianship programme. NYCOS offers the opportunity to sit accredited modules.
Kodály Summer School
See also: CPD for teachers, Professional Support for Musicians
The annual summer school in Edinburgh (and online in 2020 and 2021) offers the opportunity for teachers to have an intensive week of training in the Kodály approach, providing them with inspiration and experience to improve the music provision in their own settings. Kodály Summer School is open to class teachers, instrumental teachers, students, nursery practitioners, freelance musicians and anyone interested in music education.
https://www.nycos.co.uk/learn/kodaly-summer-school/
NYCOS Video Resources
See Also: Participatory, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Vocal.
NYCOS also have a range of online video resources in video format, recorded initially during lockdown. These video resources are intended for carers, parents and children to use at home or to be adapted by specialist and non-specialist teachers to just use the clapping and body percussion elements.
NYPBS TRAINEE TUTORS – Apply Now!
NYPBS are seeking to appoint 7 trainees to support the delivery of both their outreach programme, as well as their three National Bands this year. Each trainee will gain real world professional development opportunities throughout NYPBS 2023-24 year of activity.
These are entry-level positions for candidates aged up to, and including, 25 years old, or up to 30 years old if you identify as disabled. All successful applicants will be paid to attend training sessions before commencing work.
The deadline to apply is 12 noon 30th May 2023 GMT.
For more info and to apply: https://www.nypbs.co.uk/opportunities
Emerging Composers 2023 – Apply Now!
Emerging Composers is a fantastic professional development opportunity offering paid commissions for emerging composers creating exciting repertoire from new perspectives for pipe band.
Now in our third year of the programme, Emerging Composers offers paid commissions to write for Scotland’s only concert Pipe Band. We are calling for emerging composers aged 18-25 (or up to 30 if you identify as disabled) from both inside and out of the Piping community to create new work for the NYPBS.
Each composer will receive a bursary of £1,600 and support from NYPBS staff and industry topping mentors.
Applications Close 2nd June. We will write to applicants with the outcome of the selection process by 13th June.
For more info and to apply: https://www.nypbs.co.uk/emerging-composers
Mackay’s Memoirs Free Workshop – 18th June
We are welcoming all abilities to a free a workshop, open to all instruments and vocalists!
Sign up here: https://www.nypbs.co.uk/mackays
For young people aged 12-18, or up to 25 if you identify as having a disability. This free music workshop brings together young music-makers in Glasgow to look at Mackay’s Memoirs by Martyn Bennett.
There’s no need to know the piece already. We’ll be working in creative ways: adding our own parts, learning the rhythms and melodies and using our listening skills. We will have written music on the day but you can also take part learning by ear. This will be a day of learning from each other’s musical skills so all abilities and genres are welcome.
Places are free but limited so sign up now to claim yours!
For community organisations and schools taster sessions can be arranged via nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk
The workshops will be lead by tutors from various genres and instrumental disciplines.
Details
Where: The National Piping Centre, Glasgow.
When: 18th June, 10am – 4pm.
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.
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.