Category Archives: Music

The team from Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) and music students from Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music based in Plockton, head off to Kaustinen in Finland this February as part of an educational exchange with Kaustinen College of Music, and to witness first-hand the work the teamContinue reading “TRACS Appointed to Safeguard Scotland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage “

Scottish Opera’s (SO) award-winning Primary Schools Tour, which goes on the road this February for the rest of the academic year with the newly created show, Vikings! The Quest for the Dragon’s Treasure, has been re-imagined and expanded to make it even more accessible and adaptable for all schools in Scotland to take part. Vikings!, which deliversContinue reading “Scottish Opera’s Reimagined Schools Tour Gives Pupils Access to Performing Arts”

St Mary’s Music School, Scotland’s only specialist music school with tuition funding available and an admission basis centred on raw talent alone, has an exciting partnership lined up for this February. Along with UK brass players, they will bring a series of Lower Brass Days to Edinburgh and Elgin aimed at encouraging young people to study the trombone, euphonium, tenor and baritoneContinue reading “St Mary’s School Brings Lower Brass Days to Edinburgh and Elgin in February 2024”

For fans of classical music, New Year is synonymous with Vienna whose famous son Johann Strauss created his iconic waltzes and polkas. This January, at St Mary’s Parish Church in Haddington, the Viennese atmosphere will be revived in a concert celebrating the romance of the period by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) as partContinue reading “Start the New Year with an RSNO Viennese Gala in Haddington, East Lothian”

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra brings a new programme of jazz master Duke Ellington’s music, In an Ellington Mood, to the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on Sunday 10th December as part of the ensemble’s latest tour. The music of Ellington and his co-writer, Billy Strayhorn has become one of the SNJO’s specialisms and has earnedContinue reading “On-song SNJO Bring Authentic Ellington Sound to the Queen’s Hall”

Award-winning Irish singer Christine Tobin pays her first visit to Scotland in almost ten years when she and her partner, guitarist Phil Robson play duo concerts in Greenock, Linlithgow and Perth from 30th November to 2nd December. One of the most distinctive voices on the European jazz scene and both a strikingly inventive composer and a notablyContinue reading “Christine Tobin Makes Overdue Return to Scotland”

During St Mary’s Music School’s 50th Anniversary Year, John Cameron acted as interim Director of Music and, following an outstanding year’s work, the Board has offered him the role on a permanent basis. Confirmed formally as Director of Music, John Cameron will hold responsibility for all music activities at the school, ensuring musical excellence isContinue reading “St Mary’s Music School Announces New Director of Music and Artistic Director”

Jayde Records (Jayde 008) Released 27th October 2023 Light Streams is the follow-up to the enthusiastically received debut album by Cork-born, Hertfordshire-based pianist John Donegan’s Irish Sextet, Shadows Linger. A musician of huge experience – he has played with jazz luminaries Art Blakey, Art Farmer, Barney Kessel and Greg Abate as well as the world class Irish guitaristContinue reading “John Donegan The Irish Sextet: Light Streams”

This November, Edinburgh Fruitmarket Gallery presents their first festival of new music featuring commissions and performances from some of the leading radical and experimental composers, musicians and improvisors working today. They are brought together in the context of deep time to explore ideas of time and temporality; stasis and movement; provocation and play; ritual andContinue reading “Fruitmarket’s Festival of New Music, Deep Time, Announced”

A former Edinburgh musician has lent his musical know-how to the Royal New Zealand Air Force and earned an honorary rank in the process.  Drummer John Rae, who led the ground-breaking jazz group the John Rae Collective in the 1980s and went on to win awards for his jazz-folk band Celtic Feet, has produced theContinue reading “Scottish Drummer Flies High with Royal New Zealand Air Force”