Spotlight On…

12 Guitars is a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow. It provides accessible life enhancing opportunities to all ages, by offering instruments, support and tuition to anybody who wants to learn and play the guitar.

ABC Creative Music are Scottish-based music education resource developers founded by Jazz musicians Dr Phil and Dr Tom Bancroft..

Founded in 1889, The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is the UK’s largest music education body, one of its largest music publishers and the world’s leading provider of music exams, delivering more than 600,000 assessments globally each year. ABRSM supports and champions music education in more than 90 countries around the world through both its graded music exams, assessments and diplomas and its extensive programme of scholarships, sponsorship and collaborative partnership activities.

Ama-zing Harmonies is a community singing group in North West Edinburgh founded in March 2017 by Ama Shallangwa. Our aim is to work in the community to enrich cultural understanding and inclusiveness by uniting people together with music and cultural activities. Through our activities we encourage networking and communal integration to break isolation and celebrate our diversity as well as what we have in common.

Beatroute Arts are a charitable organisation run by and for the community, based in the North East of Glasgow. Beatroute are dedicated to improving quality of life and offering free learning provision to the community through a diverse and imaginative number of activities, programmes, workshops and courses. Central to Beatroute’s work is it’s music provision, which includes Take A Bow, Allsorts, Connect 21, and a dedicated Youth Music Group. Beatroute works in partnership with national organisations such as Drake Music Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to create tangible links with organisations across Scotland, increasing opportunities for Beatroute’s members.

Over 70,000 teachers use Charanga’s online platform to help them teach music. The music education and technology company is best known for providing award-winning curricula and digital music programmes for all year groups, CPD and quality-assured teacher training that, together, boost music in schools. Charanga Scotland has active partnerships with music services across Scotland.

DD8 Music is a registered Scottish charity that provides musical activities for people of all ages in the Kirriemuir and Angus area. DD8 run a rehearsal and recording studio where participants can have the freedom to experiment with music, and be encouraged to develop their musical skills. DD8 embeds music-making in with interdisciplinary projects, like event promotions and website creation. DD8 facilitates song-writing, Instrumental tuition, collaborative music making, music technology, and creating and running events that can be enjoyed by the wider community.

Dumfries Music Collective is an independent, not for profit, Community Interest Company that was founded in 2016. DMC aim to provide opportunities for young people in the south west of Scotland to become independent performers, promoters and beyond, and help them to engage with the Scottish music industries. DMC approach this by programming educational events and a diverse range of talks and workshops, while also focusing on showcasing emerging talent in live performances in local venues in and around Dumfries. DMC have also built an impressive range of online resources for emerging artists.

The Edinburgh Youth Orchestra (EYO) is a symphony orchestra of young musicians aged 13-21 from Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.

Under the guidance of an internationally renowned conductor, and with a team of professional tutors, the main EYO course takes place over a full week each summer, immediately followed by concerts in major venues around Scotland. The orchestra has a long history of touring, both within the UK and further afield.

Ensemble is an award-winning music making project that empowers young people who would not normally have the chance to make music, particularly those who face challenges with mental health, homelessness or through seeking asylum. Ensemble was developed in partnership with Wheatley care and funded by Creative Scotland, recognising the transformative power that songwriting, recording and live performance have. All participants are supported by professional musicians, so no previous musical experience or ability is required, and there is no expectation of anyone to perform, sing or play instruments when they do take part. Ensemble also supports young people to transfer the skills and confidence gained to the rest of their lives, linking young people into volunteering opportunities, further music lessons, college courses and other music projects.

Erskine Arts is an inclusive cultural charity based in Renfrewshire, who provide musical opportunities amongst a much broader range of support for all ages. Their new home in Erskine Sports Centre provides a visible and accessible hub of activity, an arts venue, and a focussed point of contact for community engagement. Erskine Arts emphasise the importance of cultural participation and the empowerment of their town, and offer a broad range of activities, with specific emphasis on supporting marginalised groups, and those seeking guidance and support with mental health issues. They also provide opportunities for volunteering and strive to increase and illuminate pathways into education and the creative industries.

Erskine Arts are a member of the Renfrewshire Arts Connection, a voluntary network of cultural organisations including Create, Erskine Arts, Outspoken Arts, PACE, Paisley Opera, Right2Dance and Star Project.

Fèis Phàislig are a registered charity in Scotland and provides opportunities in traditional music and Gaelic culture for young people across Renfrewshire. Gaelic for ‘Paisley Festival’, Fèis Phàislig was established in 2015 and delivered their first ever ‘Fèis Week’ – an intensive course of come-and-try workshops, that saw over 60 children take part in instrumental tuition, singing and drama with some of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians. All Fèis Phàislig tutors are active, experienced, professional musicians, skilled in working with young people, and augmented by a pool of supervisors and volunteers. They now provide a year-round programme of events that, in 2019, delivered to over 4500 participants.

The different opportunities they offer are shared below.

Fèis Rois enables people of all ages to access, participate in and enjoy traditional Scottish music, culture, and the Gaelic language. Fèis Rois offers a diverse programme of activities in Ross & Cromarty, across Scotland and beyond.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal was established in 1991 as the independent umbrella association of the Fèis movement. It is a membership organisation that offers a range of services to its members including grant-aid, training, insurance, and instrument loans.

The Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra – FYJO – is an award winning big band located in Fife. FYJO has been led for over 40 years by Musical Director, Richard Michael, winner of the 2013 Jazz Educator of Year award, and a 2009 parliamentary jazz award for services to jazz education.

Givin’ it Laldie is a grassroots, community music charity based in the Gorbals, Glasgow. Givin’ it Laldie bring people in the Gorbals from diverse economic, social, religious, cultural, health and age backgrounds together through group music making to build understanding, community and connections between people, and improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Glasgow Folk-Music Workshop, formerly the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, was established in 1992, and offers classes teaching a variety of musical instruments and songs, mainly through the medium of traditional Scottish music. Tailoring for beginners to advanced players, GFW have an extensive group of professional and semi-professional tutors who are highly experienced performers and educators. Weekly classes take place at Glasgow Kelvin College, and are charged on a membership basis.

Love Music inspires and empowers people to be curious, creative and adventurous with music regardless of their skill base or background, raising aspirations and changing lives.

Musicares is the first national music mentoring and tuition project for care experienced young people in Scotland. The aim of the project is to raise the confidence and wellbeing of participants through enjoyable music making sessions. The project offers free one to one and group sessions in any instrument and genre of music including DJ’ing and music production as well as educational and career advice.

Music Plus is a mentoring initiative run by Scottish Music Centre and funded by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative. Musicians aged between 14-19 can apply to receive free tuition and mentoring from an industry professional, as well as access to advice and industry seminars and workshops across numerous genres.

Since 1996, NYCOS has worked to encourage singing for young people in Scotland. NYCOS provide opportunities for young people, teachers and choir directors at a national level, to support and develop choral singing across Scotland. Their varied programme of activities includes early years provision, CPD for Teachers and professionals, and a range of regional and differently levelled choirs and ensembles.

Oi Musica is an artist-led organisation specialising in street bands and outdoor performance. Founded in 2011 to deliver music projects with social benefit, Oi Musica became a non-profit Community Interest Company in 2018. They create exciting and inspiring music programmes for all levels and abilities. Much of their work aims to create effective access routes into music for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or facing significant barriers to learning an instrument.

Paragon are a charitable organisation guided by principles of equality and inclusion, helping to transform lives of young people and adults through participation in music and the arts.

Playlist for Life is a national music and dementia charity based in Glasgow. The charity harnesses the powerful effects of personally meaningful music to help anyone who is affected by dementia, their families and carers. Over two decades of scientific research has shown that listening to a personalised playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. Personalised playlists can: reduce anxiety, improve your mood, make difficult tasks more manageable, strengthen relationships and even lead to a reduction in medication in some instances.