Companion Database
Welcome to the We Make Music Companion database!
This is a compendium of good practice in vocal and instrumental music education, opportunities for collaborative music making, signposts towards advice and support, and recommendations for further study and upskilling. It has been compiled to support learners, aspiring musicians, music students, professional musicians, parents and carers, teachers and students alike.
Looking for opportunities near you? Visit the map to search geographically.
Notes on Filters
You can filter the database by a range of criteria including age and stage, genre, aspirations and more. Price ranges indicate the following:
£ = £0–5
££ = £5–15
£££ = £15–30
££££ = £30 and over
Music Leaders Award
The Music Leaders Scotland Awards are an opportunity for talented young musicians to enhance their skills in various aspects of musical study.
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Music Mark Body Percussion Challenge
8 short notated videos with body percussion activities.
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Music Mark- Get Playing
Look up tool to find local authority music services in Scotland, and also music hubs in England
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Music Room- Resources
Resources including Samples, Virtual Choir Instruction and RSL Supporting material.
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Music Theory Trainer
Resource for Theory Grades 1-5. Contains over 6,000 specially-written questions designed to test and challenge music theory knowledge.
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Music Workshops
Group lessons and workshops in numerous instruments
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Music Workshops
Group lessons and workshops in numerous instruments
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Musical Development Matters (By Nicola Burke)
Guide for practitioners on early years music education. Out of print but free pdf edition is available here: https://early-education.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Musical-Development-Matters-ONLINE.pdf
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Musical Mayhem
Free music school
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MusicALL
Organisation providing high quality music opportunties for disabled musicians.
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Musicares
Musicares is the first national music mentoring and tuition project for care experienced children and young people in Scotland. They use music as a therapeutic tool to raise the confidence and wellbeing of participants through enjoyable music making activities.
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Musicbabies
Tutor directory and resources for early years and beginner non-string players and teachers
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Musicians in Exile
Musicians in Exile provides space for refugees and asylum-seekers to relax, play music and regain identities by playing the music of their homelands. Musicians in Exile rehearse every Tuesday night from 6-9pm.
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Musicians Union: Should I Work for Free?
Graphic and flowchart which helps clarify which music performing services should be paid for
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Musicians Union: Young Musicians Website
Resource includes all the latest news, career advice and mentoring opportunities available to young musicians.
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Musicianship and Methodology Classes
Online classes in areas such as Kodaly, Musicianship and Diction
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Musicplus Mentoring Scheme
Music mentoring programme for young people looking to take the next steps into the music industries in Scotland. Run by Scottish Music Centre
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Na h-Eileanan Siar IMS
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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National Boys Choir
National choir for boys aged 10-17 split into three stages (Training choir, National Choir, Changing Voices Choir). Run as a residential course.
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National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music (Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd)
An exciting opportunity for young Scottish traditional musicians to develop their talent to its full potential. Top class tuition and an all-round, in-depth experience in traditional music includes individual tuition, groupwork, workshops and masterclasses, performing, recording, and the history and background of the music.
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National Girls Choir
National choir for girls aged 12-17 split into two stages. (Training Choir, National Choir). Run as a residential course
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National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
The senior NYBBS is a premier level youth ensemble who perform in high profile settings, and are supported by leading tutors.
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National Youth Choir of Scotland
National choir for outstanding singers aged 16-25. Split into three stages (NYCOS Touring Choir, NYCOS Scotland, NYCOS Training Choir). Run as a residential course
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National Youth Reserve Brass Band of Scotland
The National Youth Reserve Brass Band of Scotland (for players aged 14 -22 inclusive) is designed to nurture young musicians who are well on their way to reaching the high standards required by the premier level of NYBBS, or are awaiting a vacancy to arise.
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Naxos Music Box
Classical resource for classroom teachers and parents
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New Music Scotland
YouTube channel to share recordings of New Music Scotland member’s music
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Nordoff and Robbins- Music Therapy Charity
Nordoff and Robbins are the UK’s largest music therapy charity. Nordoff and Robbins deliver music therapy sessions across the country which aim to help people of all ages and demographics to access the benefits of shared music-making with a qualified therapist. This can include promoting wellbeing, developing social and communication skills, and providing an outlet for creative and emotional expression – always bespoke to the individual. As well as our therapy sessions, they also offer accessible music learning sessions online. Nordoff and Robbins have a research department, investigating music-making and its potential to inform how we can support clients and people in challenging situations. They also have an education and training department, which not only trains music therapists to Masters level but also offers short courses and skill-sharing workshops for those interested in learning more about music therapy and/or developing skills to use music interactively with people they support.
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Nordoff and Robbins- Music Therapy Charity
Nordoff and Robbins are the UK’s largest music therapy charity. Nordoff and Robbins deliver music therapy sessions across the country which aim to help people of all ages and demographics to access the benefits of shared music-making with a qualified therapist. This can include promoting wellbeing, developing social and communication skills, and providing an outlet for creative and emotional expression – always bespoke to the individual. As well as our therapy sessions, they also offer accessible music learning sessions online. Nordoff and Robbins have a research department, investigating music-making and its potential to inform how we can support clients and people in challenging situations. They also have an education and training department, which not only trains music therapists to Masters level but also offers short courses and skill-sharing workshops for those interested in learning more about music therapy and/or developing skills to use music interactively with people they support.
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Nordoff and Robbins- Music Therapy Charity
Nordoff and Robbins are the UK’s largest music therapy charity. Nordoff and Robbins deliver music therapy sessions across the country which aim to help people of all ages and demographics to access the benefits of shared music-making with a qualified therapist. This can include promoting wellbeing, developing social and communication skills, and providing an outlet for creative and emotional expression – always bespoke to the individual. As well as our therapy sessions, they also offer accessible music learning sessions online. Nordoff and Robbins have a research department, investigating music-making and its potential to inform how we can support clients and people in challenging situations. They also have an education and training department, which not only trains music therapists to Masters level but also offers short courses and skill-sharing workshops for those interested in learning more about music therapy and/or developing skills to use music interactively with people they support.
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North Ayrshire Music Service
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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North Lanarkshire IMS
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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Nursery Sounds
RSNO Musicians play, sing and create along to Nursery Rhymes
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NYCOS Aberdeen Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Angus Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Chamber Choir
Choir for very experienced 18-25 Year olds, chosen from existing NYCOS members,
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NYCOS Dumfries Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Dundee Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS East Dunbartonshire Boys Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Edinburgh Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Falkirk Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Inverness Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Isle of Lewis Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Midlothian Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Perth Boys Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Renfrewshire Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Stirling Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYCOS Video Resources
Short videos, mostly recorded in lockdown
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NYCOS West Lothian Choir
Choir that meets each week 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.
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NYOS
NYOS is our flagship classical ensemble formed of over 100 of the most gifted young orchestral players from across Scotland, offering world class training and prestigious concert opportunities.
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NYOS Academy
NYOS Academy is a series of two-day courses across Scotland offering early and intermediate stage musicians the chance to develop the skills needed to play as part of a group, in a fun and inclusive setting. The course brings 9-14 year olds together with sectional directors and seasoned tutors to practice and perform a selection of music chosen specifically for them.
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If your organisation has opportunities and resources for music learners, we’d love to hear from you. Follow the link below to submit your entry.