Tag: Live Music Now Scotland

Family Music Time in Stenhouse

Join Live Music Now Scotland for a brand new series of performances, connecting a multicultural community through the power of music

‘Family Music Time’ is a new opportunity to enjoy free of charge music performances from some of Scotland’s most talented emerging artists.

The relaxed and informal concerts are taking place in a stunning venue that welcomes all.

“Live Music Now Scotland is very much looking forward to working with the local community of Stenhouse, along with the team at St Salvador’s and its Community Food Initiative” says Live Music Now Scotland Director, Carol Main MBE.

“The location is in the heart of an area of multi-cultural diversity and multiple deprivation. There is little or no opportunity for people to come together socially or interact with their neighbours, with many living in social isolation.

“Through Family Music Time, musicians from Live Music Now Scotland, including those from Poland, Spain, Latin America and Scotland, will offer the chance of shared social pleasure and joy through the international language of music and traditional cultures.”

“St. Salvador’s Scottish Episcopal Church is a growing congregation in Stenhouse, Edinburgh. Our vibrant and multicultural congregation reflects the diversity of the surrounding area. Through our worship and social outreach, we seek to engage and support our local community, says Revd Dr Ross Jesmont of St Salvador’s.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with Live Music Now Scotland to host a series of music events for local children and their families.

“The opportunity to have live music events in an area of the city where this is not a regular feature is an exciting prospect. We hope these events will both provide families with an opportunity to enjoy live music in their area and inspire a new generation of musicians.”

Sun 24 September  Troppos Ensemble,
Troppos Ensemble, instrumental ensemble with a Latin twist

Sun 29 October

Sun 29 October Megan MacDonald and Calum McIlroy,

Megan MacDonald and Calum McIlroy, accordion and guitar duo

Sun 26 November

Sun 26 November Roo and Neil,

Roo and Neil, fiddle and accordion duo

All at 2.00pm I St. Salvador’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Stenhouse.

Live Music Now announce world premiere at Holy Cross Church in Davidsons Mains this Sunday

  • Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) bring Live performance to Edinburgh with world premiere of ‘What’s for you…’ by composer Jennifer Martin
  • The piece will be performed by clarinettist Calum Robertson and pianist Juliette Philogene who will also perform the second LMNS piece commissioned from Jennifer, ‘Bi-Cycle’
  • The concert will take place at 3pm on Sunday 24 October at Holy Cross Church, Davidson’s Mains

Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) is delighted to announce its next public, live and in person performance this coming Sunday (24 October).

Taking place at Holy Cross Church in Davidsons Mains, this one-off concert will feature a world premiere of a new piece for clarinet and piano by Jennifer Martin, performed by and commissioned for clarinettist Calum Robertson and pianist Juliette Philogene.

Entitled ‘What’s for you…’ the piece is one of two commissioned by Live Music Now Scotland and written by Jennifer Martin, who recently published a book Creative Composition for the Classroom co-written with composer Sir James MacMillan.

‘What’s for you…’ is a reflective piece that was inspired by the hopes, joys and fears that must come with motherhood; joyous, irregular, humorous, difficult, but always looking on the bright side.

Jennifer Martin, author of Creative Composition for the Classroom and Chief Executive of the Cumnock Tryst, said: “It is a huge honour to have been asked to create two bespoke pieces for Live Music Now Scotland, an organization whose work is so vitally important when it comes to getting live music to those who may not otherwise get a chance to hear it, and in the career development of musicians. 

“Both ‘Bi-Cycle’ and ‘What’s for you…’ examine the relationship between mother and daughter in a myriad of ways, and I can’t wait to hear them in the beautiful surroundings of Holy Cross Church, performed by the brilliantly talented Calum and Juliette.”

The concert is free of charge although booking is required, and the concert will also feature Nocturne by Ronald Stevenson and Three dances by Germaine Tailleferre.

The location of this exciting performance is no coincidence. Throughout lockdown Holy Cross Church was incredibly supportive of LMNS, engaging artists to sing and play as part of worship when live performances were not allowed elsewhere.

Not only that, but the costs were also covered by the congregation, meaning a live world premiere seemed like a fitting tribute. The concert will slot into a new series of afternoon events in the church.

Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “We are so excited to see a public LMNS performance, and a world premiere no less, return to the wonderful surrounds of Holy Cross Church in Edinburgh. Not only is a beautiful space, but one we feel a deep affinity with after the support they have shown our musicians throughout the pandemic.

“We also feel incredibly lucky to be able to hear these two pieces, commissioned especially for our musicians by the amazingly talented Jennifer Martin and performed by the equally talented Calum and Juliette, surrounded by a live audience.”

The two LMNS commissions were made possible by funding from Gavin McEwan.

Tickets for the performance can be purchased at scotland@livemusicnow.org

Live Music Now Scotland extends festival season into September

  • LMNS continues to collaborate with the Scottish Arts Club with Virtual Fridays on the Fringe
  • Teaming up with Capital Theatres, LMNS provides dementia friendly tea-party
  • National Galleries of Scotland and LMNS continue to work in partnership on lockdown concert series

As we adjust to the new normal, Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) is embracing the change this festival season with a programme of inclusive, online and in person events that extends into September.

From tea parties catering for those with dementia, to a continued collaboration as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, LMNS is excited to shake off the difficulties of the past year by bringing even more live music, to even more people.

Collaborating once again this summer, Live Music Now Scotland and the Scottish Arts Club are joining forces for Virtual Fridays on the Fringe, an online concert bringing audiences from all over Edinburgh, the UK and even the world, the sound of Scotland this summer.

Taking place this Friday (13 August), fiddler Euan McLaughlin and guitarist Nicky Kirk will be taking to the digital stage with a selection of folk and traditional tunes from 6.30pm.

Part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Virtual Fridays on the Fringe is produced by Fika Productions for the Scottish Arts Club.

Throughout the pandemic the LMNS team has been working hard to keep live music in the lives of those who would otherwise not, even at the best of times, get the chance to enjoy it. Achieved by embracing the power of Zoom and, as restriction lifted, even occasionally the power of the outdoor gazebo, LMNS continues to find new ways to herald in the return to live.

This summer two significant projects, one supported by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the other by Morton Charitable Trust, continue to bring live music (and in-the-flesh LMNS musicians!) to residential homes in Edinburgh and four Erskine homes for veterans.

Fiddler Jamie MacDonald and guitarist Nicky Kirk entertained residents at Murrayfield House Care Home to hugely positive feedback from all involved.

One Murrayfield House Care Home staff member said: “Jamie and Nicky were fantastic. They gave a flawless performance. They interacted with the residents who enjoyed the outdoor performance. Staff were happy to see residents in the garden and see how happy they were.”

On Monday 23 August LMNS is delighted to be joining Capital Theatres for a dementia friendly Tea Party. Taking place online audiences are encouraged grab a cuppa, and favourite sarnie or a scone, and join in on YouTube for a sing-a-long and some dancing.

And, once again teaming up with the National Galleries of Scotland for its lockdown concert series, LMNS continues to support those living with dementia across Scotland, with an online and dementia friendly session. With both musicians and audiences joining in from the comfort of their own homes, these soothing sets are suitable for everyone of any age and are entirely free.

It is not only the ears of the older generation being treated to LMNS live music this summer. 

YouthLink Summer of Play by YouthLink Scotland (the national agency for youth work) in Kirkcaldy saw young people with additional support needs enjoy live, in person performances by a range of LMNS musicians including Kaitlin Ross, Sally Simpson, Valerie Barr, Aidan Moodie and Robbie Greig.

Later in the year, from Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October, working with Aberdeenshire Council Youth Music Initiative (YMI), LMNS musicians will take to the road in Aberdeenshire, bringing music to ten schools across the region.

Harpist Lucie Hendry and fiddler Sally Simpson are the latest LMNS musicians to take part in the initiative which aims to create access to high quality music making opportunities for young people.

Created by the Scottish Government and administered by Creative Scotland, YMI offers young people the chance to achieve their potential in or through music making, while supporting the development of the youth music sector.

Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “We are delighted that live music is coming back across the country post pandemic.

“There is a fantastic range of events and opportunities for our musicians to take part in this summer, and it is testament to the hard work of venues – be they concert halls or care homes – that these are starting to take place in person, as well as online.

“We continue to work with some exceptional establishments who provide support for those with additional support needs of all ages, and it is heart-warming to hear how much music has been missed and how impactful its return has been for so many.”

Live Music Now Scotland launches brand new website to make live performance as accessible as possible this summer

  • Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) puts musicians centre stage with launch of new website
  •  Heralding a return to live music and in person performance post pandemic the website features a roster of musicians available to book, alongside public performance listings
  • You can find the new LMNS website HERE

Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) is putting musicians centre stage with a brand new website aimed at bringing live music back to venues across Scotland as we come out of lockdown.

Key to the redesign is a new and improved roster of the many and varied musicians that LMNS represents. Whether you’re looking for a jubilant jazz quintet, or a scintillating string ensemble, this comprehensive catalogue of artists includes the very best musical talent the country has to offer, and it is the only place to start your search.  

Live Music Now Scotland is committed to giving access to music for all, including older people and vulnerable audiences, as well as children with additional support needs.

The musicians now listed on the LMNS website are specially trained and experienced in playing for these audiences and the LMNS team can support in planning such events, including in settings such as care homes and special schools.

The new website will also feature a performance page listing live and online events, including live public performances, that are beginning to take place across the country as things start to open up. Updated as and when new events are booked you can check upcoming performances and events here.

Instrumental in turning the ambition for the new LMNS website into a digital reality were the Scottish Tech Army and Mull based creative studio think.in.form. Set up in early 2020 to help bring creative, digital solutions to businesses and individuals across Scotland in the wake of the pandemic, the Scottish Tech Army supported LMNS in putting a website brief and tender together, which is when creative studio and consultancy think.in.form came on board.

Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be in a position to share our new website with everyone from audiences through to musicians, and we hope it enables everyone to get back to enjoying live music again, as soon as possible.

“We wanted our website to facilitate this return to live performance and music, which is why we have included have both an updated roster of the musicians we work with and a programme of upcoming performances.

“Whether you are looking to host a summer garden party for friends and family, or an event for care home residents in their own home, we encourage you to check it out and get in touch.”

LMNS Website: https://livemusicnow.scot/

LMNS Twitter: @LiveMusicNowSCO

LMNS Instagram: @LiveMusicNowScotland

LMNS Facebook: @livemusicnowscotland