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
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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Saltcoats Music Instrument Library
Local Authority instrument library
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SAME Online Resources
Resources for primary, secondary, music tech and instrumental education available online
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SAME Online Resources
Directory of resources for primary, secondary, music tech and instrumental available online
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SAME Online Resources
Resources for primary, secondary, music tech and instrumental available online
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Saoghal na Cloinne Bige
26 songs targeted at early years.
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Satellite: Inclusive Digital Music Making
Satellite is a brand new programme for young people and adults to learn and experiment with digital music making in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
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SBBA Membership list
List of SBBA Member brass bands in Scotland
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SBBA Speaks Podcast
Young people from Scottish Brass Band Association talk about the challenges of the pandemic
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SCO Academy
Opportunity for aspiring orchestral players between ages 12-18 to work with professional musicians. SCO Aims to run 2 academies per year.
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SCO Academy
Opportunity for aspiring orchestral players between ages 12-18 to work with professional musicians. SCO Aims to run 2 academies per year.
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SCO Academy
Opportunity for aspiring orchestral players between ages 12-18 to work with professional musicians. SCO Aims to run 2 academies per year.
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SCO Creative Learning Traineeship
Salaried positions for trainee workshop assistance in the SCO Creative Learning team.
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SCO Immerse
For upper secondary students to experience live orchestral music
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SCO Immerse
For upper secondary students to experience live orchestral music
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SCO New Vibe
Creative music making programme in West Lothian for young people with moderate to severe Mental Health programmes
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SCO ReConnect
Music making project for people living with dementia and their carers. Developed with NHS Lothian and the Institute for Music in Human and Social Development, University of Edinburgh
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SCO Soundbox
Commissions, support and mentoring for emerging young composers for a range of backgrounds.
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SCO Youth Assembly
Youth centred advisory board on future direction of SCO activities
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Scotland Online Directory of Musicians
Online database of traditional musicians in Scotland- useful for promoters/venues/programmers
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Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Into the Future
OECD report on Curriculum for Excellence from 2021.
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Scots Sangs and Tunes Fur Schools
Traditional and new Scots songs and tunes
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Scots Sangs and Tunes Fur Schools
Traditional and new Scots songs and tunes with extensive free resources
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Scots Sangs and Tunes Fur Schools
Traditional and new Scots songs and tunes for use in schools and everywhere else
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Scott’s Bass Lessons
Worldwide bassplaying community with transcriptions, courses, resources and masterclasses
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Scottish Borders
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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Scottish Chamber Orchestra Online Resources
Performances, lesson plans, and classes.
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Scottish Culture and Traditions Youth
Organisation providing exciting and inclusive Scottish Traditional music opportunities for young people aged 6-26 in the North East of Scotland
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Scottish International Tuba Festival
The Scottish International Tuba Festival (SITF) is a Community Interest Company dedicated to celebrating the tuba and low brass sector through performance, education, and community engagement. Based in Scotland, SITF presents festival programming, develops educational resources, and works in partnership with music services, conservatoires, and professional ensembles to grow participation in low brass across the country.
SITF works to address structural barriers to participation in low brass, with a particular focus on accessibility, diversity, and early engagement. Through partnerships with local authority music services and schools, the festival supports pathways from first access to professional development.
SITF combines festival performance with qualitative research into low brass pedagogy and professional pipelines in Scotland, working alongside institutions including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to map and strengthen the sector over time.
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Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra
National Youth Jazz Orchestra/Big band affiliated with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
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Scottish Opera Breath Cycle II
Weekly workshops for people living with Long Covid, taking place at Gartnavel Hospital.
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Scottish Opera Community Choir
Participatory adult choir, where no prior experience is necessary
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Scottish Opera for Schools
Online resources, lesson plans and videos
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Scottish Opera Memory Spinners
Music making sessions for people living with dementia and their carers.
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Scottish Opera Young Company
Auditioned practical experience in opera company for 17-21 year olds
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Scottish Opera Young Company Gateway
Non-auditioned pathway into SOYC for 14-18 year olds (Must read music)
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Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust
Non-auditioned, open access, Play Away Days and Summer residential course for ages 9-15, orchestra and wind band instruments.
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Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust
The SSPDT aims to encourage young people in Scotland to take up the chanter, pipes and drums; and by supporting the development of school pipe bands and tuition.
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Selection of Gaelic and Scots Song arrangements
Collection of Scots songs for teachers and carers to help children participate.
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Selection of Gaelic and Scots Song arrangements
Selection of lyrics and audio clips of songs to be sung with children.
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Senior Fèis
Residential Fèis for S1-S6 students
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Senior Music Classes
Music classes for retired people
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Shetland Instrumental Service
Local Authority instrumental music service, delivering high quality music tuition in schools
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SHMU
Established as a charity in 2003, Station House Media Unit (shmu) support residents in the seven regeneration areas of Aberdeen in radio and video production, traditional and on-line publications, music production and digital inclusion.
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Sing Up
Singing resources for school teachers, blending online and in person, from Early Years (Aged 4) to KS4 (Aged 16)
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Singing for adults
We are a community choir open to anyone, without audition, who enjoys singing. During the course of rehearsals informal music education is provided. We generally give 2 or 3 concerts per annum
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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.