A joint concert to be held in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall next spring is set to recognise the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
Organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, this exciting May event follows on from this year’s hugely successful Scotland Salutes: D-Day 80 concert held back in June.
Scotland’s Salute: VE80 is Scotland’s National VE activities, endorsed by the Scottish Government. It will take place on 6th May (two days before VE Day) at the Usher Hall and will be a musical extravaganza that will focus on telling the events that led to victory in Europe. Bringing the stories of those who were there to life and culminating in an act of remembrance. Music will be provided by a tri-service orchestra.
The event will be narrated by Alasdair Hutton OBE TD, previously the voice of the world-renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with BFBS’s own Mark Mckenzie acting as the evenings compere.
Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland said: “Legion Scotland are exceptionally proud to bring the latest in our commemorative concerts in honour of this historic milestone in partnership with Poppyscotland.
“Our Scotland Salutes concert is set to be a fantastic evening, with wonderful music and stories playing out on stage, whilst representing our nation coming together to reflect on the momentous occasion that was Victory in Europe, 80 years on.”
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland added: “It is always important to reflect on the sacrifices that Service requires, and indeed to celebrate VE Day, in particular in 2025 given that it is the 80th anniversary of such a historic event.
“All profits made from ticket sales will be split 50/50 between Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland. Profits will go directly to supporting the Armed Forces community in Scotland, through Legion Scotland’s comradeship events and Poppyscotland’s welfare provisions.”
Tickets for this one-off concert spectacular, which are priced at £20.25 for the Stalls, £25 for the Grand Circle and £19.45 for the Upper Circle, and are the perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones, are available from November 25th and can be booked through the Usher Hall booking office online or by calling 0131 228 1155.
Assembly Roxy’s year-round programme continues this November with a line-up of theatre, music, and live events celebrating creativity, Scottish traditions old and new, and looking to a better future for all.
With highlights including immersive theatre piece Maiden Mother Whore from Theiya Arts Dance Collective, Jeremy Corbyn at Lighthouse Books’ Radical Book Fair, and the Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024, there’s plenty coming up at Assembly’s year-round venue.
Theiya Arts Dance Collective joining Assembly Roxy on the 01 Nov with a thought-provoking performance experience, in Maiden Mother Whore.
A 90-minute show, Maiden Mother Whore invites audiences to interact with five installations throughout the Roxy, exploring complex relationships between women, social structures, health and social policies, and institutions.
Assembly Roxy regulars Edinburgh Ceilidh Club with Teannaich bring the finest in Scottish Ceilidh dancing back to Assembly Roxy Central on Fri 08 Nov. All the dances are taught and called by the band – so bring along regulars and newbies alike to celebrate the Scottish tradition.
Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024 boasts a jam-packed line-up of events including live performance, creative workshops, film screenings, open-mics and more. The four-day festival runs from 11 – 14 Nov and celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia, and highlights include relaxed Scottish panto McScrooge by Alan Mountford and Citadel Arts Group and creative consultants living with dementia, Dementia the Musical Soundtrack Gig with Sophie Bancroft and Friends, and Meeting Centres Scotland film launch, as well as a host of ceilidhs, open mics, discos and more!
Lighthouse Books return with their annual Radical Book Fair from Thurs 21 – Sun 24 Nov with a line-up of workshops, cabarets, panels and talks exploring community organising, creativity and international solidarity. This year’s theme ‘From Where We Standcelebrates histories of resistance, protest and change-making.
Highlights include We Are It: Community Power in Our Time with a panel including Jeremy Corbyn, Kate Pickett and Oliver Escobar, and Young Radical Worlds exploring radical writing for young people with Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Margaret McDonald.
Closing out the month, Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul bring their duo gig Amy and Alasdair to the Snug Bar, passing on traditional Scots songs and ballads. With history in Edinburgh and beyond,
Amy and Alaisdair share their simple and striking approach in a stripped back show sharing glimpses into the darkest and lightest moments of life. Amy and Alasdair is showing for one night only on 29 Nov.
Tickets and information on all the events above are available now from www.assemblyroxy.com
THEASICS Running Moves Your Mind City Tour is coming to Edinburghon Saturday 9th November.
ASICS is bringing the Running Moves Your Mind City Tour to a number of locations across the UK, offering consumers a unique experience that combines music with exercise and allows people to move their mind with ASICS.
Taking place in Castle Street, Edinburgh, consumers will be able to get involved in an immersive silent disco product trial experience, gait analysis and product consultation.
Full details of the event can be found below:
ASICS Running Moves Your Mind City Tour event details:
When is ASICS Running Moves Your Mind City Tour?
Saturday 9TH November, 9am – 4.30pm
Who can attend?
ASICS Running Moves Your Mind is a free-to-attend event for anyone, however spaces are limited so please sign up HERE.
What is ASICS Running Moves Your Mind City Tour?:
ASICS are bringing the Running Moves Your Mind City Tour to several locations across the UK, offering consumers a unique experience that combines music with exercise and allows people to experience ASICS superior comfort and move their minds.
What can consumers expect from the ASICS Running Moves Your Mind City Tour?:
Consumers can participate in a guided Silent Disco run around the city, soundtracked by a dedicated uplifting soundtrack.
In addition, consumers will be able to participate in a product discovery session with ASICS brand ambassadors and a free 10-minute gait analysis session.
How to find out more details about Running Moves Your Mind City Tour:
To find out more about Running Moves Your Mind City Tour in Edinburgh, visit:
The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2025 is open to entries, and has announced a new bumper prize of £2,500 for the popular Freestyle category, with runner up prizes totalling £3,250.
All eight competitions within the championships offer generous prizes, but the popular Freestyle event tops the lot.
The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships is the largest event of its kind in the world. A record 73 youth pipe bands from across Scotland took in the last event, as well as 8 quartets and 17 freestyle ensembles for a day of inspiring musicianship, camaraderie and competition.
Hundreds of young musicians from 99 schools gave 83 performances. In addition to the Freestyle event, the Championships offer six graded competitions for pipe bands, for those new to competition right up to bands at the top of their game.
Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships
Piping quartets are also welcome. Next year’s event takes place on Sunday 9 March at the William McIlvanney Campus in East Ayrshire.
Although there are generous prizes for all the pipe band competitions, the Freestyle event offers the biggest incentive with winners taking away £2,500 and runners up receiving attractive increases in prizemoney with £1500, £1000, £750, £500 respectively.
The Freestyle welcomes school band and group performances of any musical genre, contemporary or traditional, with any combination of instruments and vocalists, as long as they include the pipes. It is designed to showcase the versatility of the pipes and to encourage their inclusion in mainstream music-making in schools.
Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, the charity that organises the Championships, believes in the transformative power of music, and in the wider achievement that pupils can experience by being part of a pipe band.
The charity helps state schools to sustain and set up piping and drumming tuition for their pupils, and lends pipes to pupils free of charge.
Chief Executive Alex Duncan said, “The Freestyle event celebrates the fact that pipers can play music of all genres, traditional and contemporary, along with other instruments. For schools wanting to give this ago, we can lend concert chanters free of charge, so that the pipes can be tuned to the same pitch as other instruments.”
“We thank East Ayrshire Council for hosting the Championships at the fabulous William McIlvanney campus in Kilmarnock again. With an impressive modern main stage arena that seats an audience of over 400 people, two more large performance spaces, 50 classrooms for changing, easy access for transport and parking, and excellent catering and exhibition space, the venue surpasses anything that we have seen in Scotland.”
The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust is a registered charity promoting the playing of pipes and drums in Scottish state schools.
The charity offers cash grants for tuition and other related band costs, free bagpipe and b-flat concert chanter loans, paid trainee internships, and organises the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships – the biggest schools piping competition in the world.
More details on the Championships can be found at:
November 2024 marks 100 years since the death of Giacomo Puccini, one of opera’s most popular composers. Scottish Opera is offering audiences at Usher Hall in Edinburgh and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall a magnificent journey through beloved arias and ensembles from Puccini’s operas.
The Company’s Music Director Stuart Stratford presents this carefully curated selection of highlights, which includes some of Puccini’s most famous works, such as La bohème, Manon Lescaut and Tosca.
Audiences can also enjoy a taster of his earlier compositions including Le villi and Edgar, as well as glorious excerpts from underappreciated masterpieces such as La fanciulla del West, and his final, unfinished opera Turandot.
This gala performance promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating a century of passion, drama, and exquisite music that has captivated audiences worldwide, including here in Scotland.
This concert is an ideal opportunity for anyone not familiar with Puccini — whose music is frequently incorporated into popular culture, including films and musicals — as well as seasoned operagoers.
Stuart Stratford conducts an exceptional cast of international talent including soprano Sinéad Campbell Wallace (known for her stunning portrayal of diva Floria Tosca in Tosca 2019), tenor Mykhailo Malafii (performing the role of Cavaradossi in Lviv National Opera’s Tosca this October) making his Company debut and baritone Roland Wood, who in 2023 brought depth and nuance to the complex characters of Michele and Gianni Schicchi in theCompany’s award- winning production of Il trittico. They are accompanied on stage by The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Soprano KiraKaplan, one of Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artists for the 2024/25 Season, who was in the Company’s recent production of Albert Herring, also joins the cast, along with tenor Fraser Simpson (La traviata 2024).
‘This concert is big, passionate sections from one of opera’s greatest composers, sung by a first-rate cast, including Sinéad Campbell Wallace and Roland Wood,” said Stuart Stratford who curated The Puccini Collection with Scottish Opera’s Head of Music, Fiona MacSherry.
“Puccini’s music has stood the test of time, and this concert is a tremendous opportunity to see these brilliant singers onstage with a full orchestra, and mark the centenary of this iconic composer’s death, which is on 29 November this year,
‘You’ll hear huge excerpts from Tosca and La bohème, and sections from Manon Lescaut and La fanciulla del West, among other arias and interludes. Whether you are looking to relive your Italia 90 moment, or discover even more about the great Italian master, it promises to be an evening of unforgettable treasures.’
A Rich History of Puccini in Scotland
The work of Puccini has a special place in the history of Scottish Opera: the Company’s very first production was Madama Butterfly in 1962. More recently, the Company’s staging of Il trittico received an International Opera Award Nomination, and won Outstanding Achievement in Opera at the Critics’ Circle Awards 2023.
Other notable Scottish Opera productions of Puccini’s work include a contemporary Labohème outdoors in the car park of its Edington Street Production Studios in Glasgow during the pandemic, a new Madama Butterfly by Sir David McVicar in 2000, director Anthony Besch’s legendary staging of Tosca (first performed in 1980 and revived nine times since then), and it was in the Company’s 2010 concert staging of La fanciulla del West that acclaimed soprano Susan Bullock first performed the role of Minnie.
Puccini’s music also helped Scottish Opera mark its 60th Anniversary. In 2022, the Company commissioned a custom made gin from Biggar Gin, called Suonare, featuring a red label with die-cut holes which when removed and placed in a music box played ‘Un bel di’ from Madama Butterfly, a favourite of Scottish Opera’s founder, Sir Alexander Gibson.
This rich history with Puccini’s works demonstrates Scottish Opera has developed a deep understanding and appreciation for the composer’s music.
The Puccini Collection was originally performed in Dundee in December 2021, under pandemic conditions. The Dundee Courier praised the concert as ‘a perfect tribute to a man whose melodies are to die for.’
The Puccini Collection is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera and The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust.
Following the success of Daphne in 2023,the Opera in Concert series is rounded off for the 2024/25 Season, with The Strauss Collection in March, which features some of the finest pieces Richard Strauss ever wrote, with music from Ariadne auf Naxos, Arabella, and Der Rosenkavalier.
The first half moves between a clash of artistically opposed theatre troupes in Ariadne to a nostalgic Viennese romance complete with disguises and mistaken identities in Arabella. The second half captures the highlights of Der Rosenkavalier’s three acts, following two colliding love stories with all the complications and grandeur of human relationships.
Stuart Stratford conducts The Orchestra of Scottish Opera through these lush sound worlds. The all-star cast includes sopranos Helena Dix and Rhian Lois (La bohème 2020), mezzo-soprano Hanna Hipp (Kátya Kabanová 2019), and baritone Roland Wood (Oedipus Rex 2024), all making the most of Strauss’ astounding understanding of the human voice.
The Puccini Collection cast and creative team
Conductor Stuart Stratford
Soprano Sinéad Campbell Wallace
Tenor Mykhailo Malafii
Baritone Roland Wood
Soprano Kira Kaplan
Tenor Fraser Simpson
The Puccini Collection performance diary
Usher Hall, Edinburgh 22 November 2024,7.30pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 23 November 2024, 7.30pm
The Soundhouse Winter Festival, is a brand new music festival which will take place from Thursday 28 November to Monday 2 December in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Fergus McCreadie headlines the Soundhouse Winter Festival on Sat 30 Nov
The festival showcases musicians either from, or based in Scotland, and runs over St Andrews Day and the Fair Saturday weekend. The programme includes some of Scotland’s finest jazz, and trad musicians, a showcase of emerging new musicians, music workshops for adults and young people, a silent film accompanied by live music, and live performance poetry.
Headliners include award-winning pianist Fergus McCreadie performing solo and with fellow leading world musicians Mindaugas Stumbras (guitar), Michelangeol Scanroglio (doublebass) and Mattia Galeotti (drums); rising star Megan Black whose music has been described as 70s blues rock meets queer feminist pop, and whose latest EP ‘Full Circle (Part 1)’ has recently been nominated for ‘EP of the Year’ in Scotland; Su-a Lee and Friends (Duncan Chisholm, Donald Shaw and Hamish Napier) who sold out The Soundhouse’s Rose Theatre Fringe run in 2023; and Callum Easter & the Roulettes, fresh from touring the USA, who will play The Queen’s Hall with special guest Iona Zajac whose powerful voice seamlessly blends folk and indie and alternative genres with an authentic grit that has captivated audiences across Europe.
The festival is also delighted to present a brand new collaboration between outgoing Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery and acclaimed composer Kate Young. This one hour show will be based on Lavery’s work Unwritten Women with a new score by Young.
The festival’s programme also includes some unmissable early evening concerts at the Traverse with Gaelic singer songwriter Rachel Walker performing with one of the country’s foremost folksingers and accompanists Aaron Jones; Edinburgh-based poetic psychedelic supergroup Acolyte (Ruairidh Morrison on bass, Gloria Black on synth and backing vocals, Daniel Hill on percussion and led by award-winning poet and spoken word artist Iona Lee); acclaimed singer-songwriter Victoria Hume, joined by long-term collaborator Chris Letcher, playing alt-folk songs from her new album Radical Abundance, about the dying days of capitalism and what might emerge next; and singer Nicole Smit performing some cool jazzy numbers with her Quintet (Vid Gobac on drums, Cameron Bradley on piano, Dave Toule guitar, and Kassandra E’Silva on saxophone).
Other highlights over the weekend include the SWF Spotlight, a showcase of the jazz stars of tomorrow programmed by Helena Kay; and a screening of The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric accompanied by music composed by award-winning multi-instrumentalist Inge Thomson from Fair Isle with Shetlander Catriona Macdonald. The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric is a beautiful tender dramatisation of Shetland life, and was originally filmed in 1933 by pioneering Glasgow filmmaker Jenny Gilbertson. It will be opened by a short solo set by award-winning Shetland pianist Amy Laurenson.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said:“The Soundhouse Winter Festival presents a snapshot of the very best music produced in Scotland today.
“There’s no doubt that our small country produces some of the world’s finest musicians and we are honoured to give them a platform at our new festival.
“Shining a light on our home-grown stars seems an appropriate way to extend the St Andrew’s Day celebrations across this 5-day event. Despite the current gloom in the Scottish arts world, we hope the event will be inspirational and the first of many Soundhouse Winter Festivals.”
Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “The Soundhouse Winter Festival looks to showcase some of Scotland’s finest musical talent and brighten up dark evenings with a dazzling array of acts.
“St Andrew’s weekend is the perfect time to hold such an event and it is great to see the cross section of artists from across different genres with experimental and innovative programming and collaborations.”
MUSIC FANS INVITED TO ‘HAVE THEIR SAY’ ON SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL MUSIC PRIZE
Scotland’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album.
The SAY Award’s 72 hour public vote is open now, meaning the public can back their favourite Longlisted album to secure its place on 2024’s Shortlist: remaining in the running to win the coveted title and £20,000 first place prize.
The free vote is now open via www.sayaward.com – fans have 72 hours to back their favourite record, with a diverse range of albums in the running from the likes of Arab Strap, Barry Can’t Swim, Becky Sikasa, Theo Bleak, The Snuts and more.
Voting closes 11.59pm Wednesday 2nd October.
Plus, The SAY Award has revealed 2024’s judging panel includes Scottish actor and comedian Karen Dunbar, author Doug Johnstone, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Stephanie Cheape, V&A Dundee Director Leonie Bell, Amazon Music’s Hazel Berry and more.
Music fans can vote once per person, choosing between 20 albums on The SAY Award Longlist, from trad to jazz, metal to indie and more. The album with the most public votes will be guaranteed a place on the 10-strong Shortlist, taking home a minimum prize of £1,000 and remaining in the running to win the title of Scottish Album of the Year and a £20,000 prize.
The SAY Award Longlist
Afterlands We Are the Animals in the Night
Amy LaurensonStrands
Arab StrapI’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore
Barry Can’t SwimWhen Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
Bee AshaGoodbye, Gracious
Blue Rose CodeBright Circumstance
Broken ChanterChorus Of Doubt
corto.alto Bad With Names
Dead PonyIGNORE THIS
Empire State BastardRivers of Heresy
Fergus McCreadieStream
Kathryn Williams & Withered HandWillson Williams
Lucia & The Best BoysBurning Castles
Malin LewisHalocline
Mama TerraThe Summoned
Rachel SermanniDreamer Awake
rEDOLENTdinny greet
The Snuts Millennials
Theo Bleak Pain
The nine other albums on the Shortlist will be chosen by an esteemed judging panel, chaired by culture journalist and music professional Arusa Qureshi. The Shortlist will be announced Thursday 3rd October, with The SAY Award winner unveiled at this year’s Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 24th October at Stirling’s Albert Halls.
Buy tickets for The SAY Award Ceremony now via www.sayaward.com.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “Each year, The SAY Award public vote is a chance for music fans to have their SAY and help determine the Scottish Album of the Year.
“The public’s choice will be guaranteed a place in this year’s Shortlist, securing them a minimum prize of £1,000 and keeping them in the running to win the overall prize of £20,000.
“We encourage music fans across Scotland to get involved, back their favourite record and have their SAY by taking part in the public vote. Best of luck to this year’s Longlist – it’s a truly fantastic snapshot of Scottish music from the past year, and we’re looking forward to celebrating these records and more, at The SAY Award Ceremony next month.”
2024’s judging panel will reconvene at The SAY Award Ceremony to choose the ultimate winner. This year’s judging panel is: Alistair Braidwood (Owner/Host, Scots Whay Hae!), Briana Pegado (Author & Founder, Good Trouble Co.), David Pollock (Journalist), Doug Johnstone (Author), Hazel Berry (Artist Relations & Amazon Originals Lead, Amazon Music), Karen Dunbar (Comedian/Actress/Entertainer), KevTame (Music Industry Professional, Welsh Music Prize Organiser), Leonie Bell (Director, V&A Dundee), Paul Bonham (Professional Development Director, Music Manager’s Forum), Sabrina Henry (Head of Programme, CCA), Stephanie Cheape (Singer/songwriter and BBC Introducing Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland).
All shortlistedartists receive a trophy designed by Dunblane glass maker Elin Isaksson via The SAY Award Design Commission, as well as a prize of £1,000. The SAY Awardwinner takes home the ultimate prize of £20,000 plus a bespoke trophy, which will be made from recycled and molten glass.
One of the most highly anticipated nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, music fans can buy tickets to attend The SAY Award Ceremony, joining an audience of artists, industry professionals, press and cultural tastemakers to celebrate outstanding Scottish music, with a series of special live performances on the night.
The SAY Award judging panel will reconvene to select 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year Award winner, exclusively announced at 2024’s ceremony, alongside this year’s Modern Scottish Classic and Sound of Young Scotland winners.
The SAY Award is a Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) production. The SAY Award 2024 is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Stirling Council, Stirling Alive with Culture, Seabass Vinyl, Ticketmaster, Help Musicians, HMV, FOPP, PPL, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative, Youth Music, Music Declares Emergency and Hotel Colessio (hotel partner for The SAY Award Ceremony).
The SAY Award’s charity partner is Scotland’s national children’s and young people’s mental health charity, Tiny Changes, set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison to help young minds feel better.
Our renowned choir will give the first performance of Joanna Marsh composer‘s new piece ‘The Everlasting Covenant’ at Choral Evensong on Sun 6th Oct at 3.30pm!
Join us for a world première!
Our renowned choir will give the first performance of 
All welcome to join us, for FREE. 
Songs from your childhood
Songs that remind you of friends
Songs that make you feel happy
Songs that are linked to your faith
Songs that are associated with your sports team
Songs from your favourite films and TV shows