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 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
Digital Orchestra: Youth
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
