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
NYOS Camerata
NYOS Camerata is the showcase, pre-professional chamber ensemble of NYOS. Successfully bridging the gap between youth orchestra and professional ensemble, it comprises current senior and past members of NYOS. Invite only.
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NYOS Development
NYOS Development features aspiring orchestral musicians aged 11-18, who have reached Grades 5-8 or equivalent, and are keen to develop their musicianship and orchestra experience.
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NYOS Music Leader
NYOS Music Leaders is a one-year paid training and development programme for early career musicians based in Scotland. It focuses on building confidence as music educators, delivering activities to peers and groups of young people and learning strategies for effective group teaching and workshop leading.
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NYPBOS Tutorials
A range of short videos on piping and drumming from the NYPBOS
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Ocarina Workshop Resources
Extensive free ocarina teaching tips and lessons. Play Your Ocarina Book 1 is free with every ocarina purchased, plus a free ocarina with the set of Adventurous Music-Making books and CDs.
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Oi Musica
Group Music making and street band project based in Edinburgh, but work around Scotland. Also engaged in schools projects.
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Once Upon A Tune
Live show and teaching resources for P5-P7- Running in Spring 2023. CPD Content for Teachers.
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Open Music Theory
Open source resource for undergraduate music courses, where theory can be used to support.
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Orchestral
Orchestral Performances in reclaimed cultural spaces
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Orkney IMS
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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Out of The Ark Music
Extensive singing resources for Primary stage.
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Out of The Ark Recovery Curriculum Blog
Ideas for classroom activities, and reintroducing singing post pandemic.
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Paragon
Inclusive arts organisation using movement and music to break down barriers toward musical participation.
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Pathhead Music Collective
Collective of Musicians living, working and practicing in the Midlothian village of Pathhead. Delivering performance, workshops and tuition.
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Peebles Concert Band
A friendly community band for woodwind, brass and percussion players of “any age and any stage”.
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PercWorks
Online masterclasses and ensembles, interviews and resources.
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Performance anxiety: A practical guide for music teachers
An essential hands-on guide for music teachers, working across all contexts, with easy to use practical strategies to integrate into your teaching to assist with your student’s development over time.
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Perth and Kinross IMS
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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Piano Duets
Pre-recorded Piano duets with downloadable teacher’s parts
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Piano Practice Partner
App that allows learners to play along with the accompaniment, and alter tempo. Available for Grades Initial- 8.
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Piano Scales Trainer
This app covers all scales requirements at ABRSM Grades 1-5 from the current Piano syllabus.
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Piano Sight Reading Trainer
Piano Sight-Reading Trainer has been designed to cover the sight-reading element of Piano exams at Grades 1-5
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Play Trinity Rock and Pop Practice Room
Free resources to support advancement through graded syllabus
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Playlist for Life
Pre-recorded music playlists for people living with dementia and their carers.
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Pre Junior Conservatoire of Music (Primary 4-7)
Learners receive a one-to-one lesson on their principal study instrument with the option of pursuing an additional study, while also taking part in a practical musicianship class and a choir activity.
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Primary and Family Resources
Online resources and lesson plans for primary age music making activities.
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Primary Instrumental Music Programme (Primary 2-7)
Learners receive a one-to-one lesson on their principal study instrument with the option of pursuing an additional study. They will also take part in a practical musicianship class and a choir activity.
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Primary Instrumental Programme Wind, Brass and Percussion
Primary 4 & 5 instrumental group lessons in Woodwind, Brass and Percussion. The programme is aimed at complete beginners and is open access with no need to audition.
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Primary Music Toolkit
Schemas, lesson plans and resources for teaching primary music.
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Primary Singing Toolkit
The Primary Singing Toolkit is a free digital resource for primary music teachers
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Prince’s Foundation Performing Arts Programme – Pierburg Building, Dumfries House
Opportunity for children in Primary 6 and 7 who are currently receiving string tuition within the classroom in the Cumnock, Doon and Auchinleck areas to further their instrumental progression, supported through funding from The Prince’s Foundation.
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Recitals for Wrigglers
Musical performances for babies and toddlers.
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Reeltime Music
Community rehearsal and recording studio.
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Renfrewshire IMS
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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Resonari
Finnish music organisation, working with an inclusive ASN pedagogy.
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Resonate
Inclusive Music workshops for Young people aged 15-25 with ASN
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Resonate
Turn It Up provides a unique opportunity for adults to ‘jam’, dance, experiment with different instruments, and develop songs together in a social and inclusive setting, with regular performances throughout the year.
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Richard Michael Jazz Summer Course
Intensive jazz summer school in Strathallan, Perthshire.
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Rig Arts
Socially engaged arts charity in Greenock. Rolling programme that often includes music and songwriting
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Rock Club
Mixed instrument class to build collaborative music making and band skills
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Rock School- Learning Platform App
Innovative app, integrated with all grade books, interactive score player, backing tracks, with organisation subscriptions also available.
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Rock School- Teach Today
Free grade books and schemes of work for teachers across Rockschool syllabuses (Music Production, Vocals, Piano, Drums, Ukulele, Electric Guitar)
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Rock Trust Music Group
Music workshops for young people with experience of homelessness.
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RSNO Apprenticeship scheme
Apprenticeship with RSNO for existing music undergraduates.
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RSNO Chorus Academy
Vocal group for those looking to build confidence in singing and score reading.
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RSNO Community Orchestra
Community Orchestra based at RSNO
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RSNO Notes from Scotland
Composition and mentoring scheme for 14-18 year olds (Online and in-person) . Opportunities for funding and for pieces to be performed.
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RSNO Young Creatives
Programme running on Sundays (in Person) and Tuesdays (Online) To give young people experience of working in a professional company. Work Experience and leadership focussed.
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RSNO Youth Advisory Board
Youth advisory board on future direction of RSNO activities.
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RSNO Youth Chorus
Youth choir for 7-18 year olds.
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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.