Tag: music

Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters

Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of our Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland’s young string players.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, each year a group of RCS string students are selected to take part in a week-long side-by-side project with Scottish Ensemble musicians.

The week sees mentorship meet music-making in its most dynamic form, with the group working on a broad range of string repertoire, extended playing techniques, programme curation and how to communicate with audiences.

This year the development week will culminate in Musical Encounters, an electrifying collaborative performance that sees the young RCS players bring fresh energy to the stage alongside Scottish Ensemble, for afternoon concerts in Glasgow (RCS, 16 January) and Edinburgh’s Queens Hall (17 January). 

Following the project two young musicians will be selected to be Scottish Ensemble’s Young Artists for 2026. They will benefit from a year-long programme of paid opportunities and development experiences designed to broaden their skills as professional musicians.

This will include joining the Ensemble for tours and performances as well as Music for Wellbeing workshops in schools and at Scotland’s Maggie’s Centres, alongside office days with the management team to gain insights into programming, fundraising, and marketing.

James Hardie, Chief Executive at Scottish Ensemble, said: “At Scottish Ensemble, we are always looking to the future of our artform, and nurturing the next generation of musicians is central to that mission.

“Our annual Young Artists week at the RCS is a highlight of the year, giving us the chance to work with a new cohort of passionate, energetic young string players.”

Listings Information

Friday 16 January, 1pm

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow

Tickets £5 – £13

Booking: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/whats-on/fridays-at-one-scottish-ensemble-side-by-side-with-rcs-strings/book/598806/

Saturday 17 January, 3pm

The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

Tickets £13, Free for Under-16s

Booking: https://www.thequeenshall.net/book/266801

Musical Encounters programme

Jessie Montgomery Starburst

Henryk Górecki  Three Pieces in Old Style

Witold Lutosławski  Five Folk Melodies (No.2 and No.3)

Elizabeth Maconchy  Music for Strings (Mvmt II: Scherzo)

Tōru Takemitsu  Music of Training and Rest, from José Torres

Caroline Shaw Plan & Elevation (Mvmt V: The Beech Tree)

Hans Abrahamson 10 Preludes (No.2)

Thomas Ades Arcadiana (O Albion)

Philip Glass 1957. Award Montage from String Quartet no3 ‘Mishima’

Olli Mustonen Nonet II 

Burns Night Community Ceilidh at Royston Wardieburn

SATURDAY 24 JANUARY from 5 – 8.30pm

Excited to announce our 11th annual Burns Night Community Ceilidh! Always a highlight of the Winter!

Tickets now on sale from Royston Wardieburn Community Centre reception (weekdays, cash only), and Granton Garden Bakery (Saturdays 10-1, cash or card). All tickets £4. Under 10s free.

If you’d like to volunteer to help at the event, or to offer a short performance (a turn) please contact tom@grantoncommunitygardeners.org

All volunteers and performers get a free ticket.

With Ama-zing Harmonies, musicians from Tinderbox Collective, and the Granton Primary School poets. Pilton Community Health Project, Granton Youth.

Pupils perform at Haymarket station as grand finale to Royal Scottish National Orchestra residency

The performance was the culmination of a three-month residency with RSNO’s world-class musicians who worked alongside the school’s Instrumental Music Service to inspire young brass musicians.

Twenty pupils from the Council’s Instrumental Music Service (IMS) Senior Brass Ensemble, made up of young people from across Edinburgh secondary schools, put on a festive performance with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) Brass Quintet at Haymarket train station, on Friday 12 December.

The performance was the culmination of a three-month residency which involved RSNO’s world-class musicians working alongside the school’s IMS teaching team to coach, encourage and develop skills in young brass instrumentalists from secondary schools across the city.

Over the course of the residency, the young people worked alongside members of the RSNO to rehearse for two performances – the first was at the Usher Hall on 3 December 2025 where the brass ensemble performed Tielman Susato’s Renaissance Dances. The second at Haymarket station, brought the residency to a close, while entertaining the general public with a selection of Christmas carols and festive tunes.

Musicians in the IMS Senior Brass Ensemble, and those who took part in the residency, included pupils from Drummond High School, Tynecastle High School, Trinity Academy, Boroughmuir High School, Balerno High School, James Gillespie’s High School, Leith Academy, Queensferry High School, St Augustine’s RC High School, Broughton High School, Firrhill High School and Craigmount High School.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor said: We are committed to not only making music tuition accessible to a large number of learners in our schools, but also in nurturing and developing musical talent.

“Our residency with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is a great example of how we are doing this, bringing together world class musicians to join our instrumental music service team to inspire our talented young brass players.

“It is thanks to our team of dedicated instrumental teachers that children and young people have opportunities like this to perform and showcase their talents in such public forums.  

“I am sure that that the skills they have learned and the experiences they have had will stay with them for years to come, paving the way for future success. A sincere well done and thank you to all involved, including our Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, the RSNO – and of course to our talented young musicians.”

Andrew Stevenson, RSNO Director of Engagement, said: “I am so pleased that we’re able to work so closely with the Council’s Instrumental Music Service. The IMS provide such invaluable teaching and support to young people across Scotland and it’s a real privilege to help bolster them in any way we can.

“Rounding out our residency with this free, public performance is a fantastic way to show off how brilliant these young people are and how important music education is, something we feel very passionately about at the RSNO.

“I’d also like to extend a big thanks to ScotRail, our principal travel partner, for their continued support.”

Carter, an S1 pupil at Balerno High School who took part in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra residency, said: “I found the RSNO Brass side by side project inspirational and AMAZING, thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful experience.

Playlist for Life at Christmas

✨ Could you give the gift of music this Christmas?

The festive season is an exciting and busy time, but it can also be a challenging time for some people living with dementia and the people who love and care for them. Music can help. It can ease distress, spark conversation and create moments of joy and a unique shared experience for everyone listening.

There are many ways to help people enjoy music together. Why not:

🎧 Create a playlist for youself or someone you know

💚 Donate to our work. Just £10 supports five people with a free resource pack

🛍️ Buy from our shop. We have the perfect gifts for any music lover and all proceeds help people living with dementia

Find out more: https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/support-playlist-this…/

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership

Two of Scotland’s most dynamic festivals are joining forces to create ambitious new work at the intersection of literature and music.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections have announced a multi‑year partnership spanning 2025–2027, featuring a series of original commissions designed to celebrate Scottish creativity, reach new audiences, create new opportunities for Scottish artists, and reimagine what is possible when art forms meet in unexpected ways.

Headline Commission: Scotland and India   

A major highlight of this partnership will be the world premiere of The Golden Road at Celtic Connections 2026, a unique collaboration inspired by William Dalrymple’s award-winning book.

Following its debut in Glasgow, The Golden Road will evolve and return in an expanded form for a landmark performance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2026.

This journey from Celtic Connections to the Book Festival will see the project grow and develop, offering audiences a fresh and ambitious reimagining of the work at each stage.

Dalrymple will appear at the Citizens Theatre on 31 January alongside India Alba, a collective of Indian and Scottish musicians whose fusion of Indian classical and Scottish traditional backgrounds has created a unique exploration of world culture. Their debut album Reels and Ragas (2009) and follow‑up High Beyond (recorded in the Himalayas) revealed striking resonances between raga gats and Highland melodies, with the drone sounds of bagpipes and tampura forming a shared musical language.

For Celtic Connections 2026, India Alba will be joined by renowned cellist Su‑a Lee, guitarists Ali Hutton and Graeme Stephen, and further guests to be announced.

  • Sharat Chandra Srivastava (violin) brings over 35 years of performance experience, rooted in the Senia Gharana tradition and enriched by collaborations with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia.
  • Gyan Singh (tabla) is an accomplished Hindustani classical musician, trained under Ustad Abdullah Khan, Ustad Faiyaz Khan and Pt. Suresh Talwarkar.
  • Ross Ainslie, described by The Scotsman as “Scotland’s most sought‑after piper,” is a prolific composer and collaborator, performing with Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica and India Alba.

The Golden Road 7.30PM, Sat 31 Jan Citizens Theatre Tickets: https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/india-alba-special-guests-with-william-dalrymple-the-golden-road/ 

Rhymes and Reels 

Alongside the headline commission, audiences can enjoy Rhymes and Reels on 27 January at the Mackintosh Church in Glasgow. This special performance will revive two EIBF‑commissioned works and premiere a new Celtic Connections collaboration.

Harpist Esther Swift presents her musical settings of Jackie Kay’s poetry, with Kay herself reading from The Heartstrings of Poetry, commissioned by EIBF and first premiered at the 2025 festival.

Another EIBF commission, award‑winning poet and novelist Angus Peter Campbell appears with his daughter Brìghde Chaimbeul, blending readings in English and Gaelic with accompaniment from small pipes.

Former National Poet of Scotland Liz Lochhead collaborates with renowned Highland fiddler Duncan Chisholm in a brand‑new Celtic Connections commission.

Rhymes and Reels 7.30PM, Tue 27 Jan Mackintosh Church Tickets: https://www.celticconnections.com/event/2/rhymes-reels/ 

Jenny Niven, Director, Edinburgh International Book Festival: “We’re delighted to embark on this multi‑year partnership with Celtic Connections, uniting two of Scotland’s most dynamic festivals in a celebration of creativity and collaboration.

“This new era for the Book Festival is about opening doors—bringing together writers, musicians, and audiences in ways that spark new ideas and reach further into our communities.

“Our recent Thistle Award win is a testament to the power of innovation and partnership, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we explore the rich intersections of Scottish literature and music together.”

Donald Shaw, Creative Producer, Celtic Connections:  “Celtic Connections has always been about forging new paths and bringing artists together across genres and traditions.

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, allowing us to celebrate the stories, sounds, and voices that make Scotland’s cultural scene so vibrant.

“By working together, we’re creating space for ambitious new work and for audiences to experience the magic that happens when music and words meet on equal terms.”

ENLIGHTENMENT: Immersive Experience to Transform Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall

Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL brings its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31 January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds

Enlightenment by EONARIUM is coming to Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall  on 31 January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds.

In a dynamic immersive journey, visitors will be enveloped in stunning visuals and captivating soundscapes inspired by Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. The waitlist is now live on Fever, the leading tech platform for discovering live entertainment, for those eager to experience this one-of-a-kind event.

Presented by the Zurich-based artist collective PROJEKTIL, in collaboration with Fever, Enlightenment promises to be visually and spiritually uplifting.

The show will transform the iconic McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh into a sensory journey with vibrant light projections and the iconic melodies of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

PROJEKTIL has revitalised Vivaldi’s original compositions by rearranging and recording them specifically to enhance the immersive experience, blending classical elements with a contemporary touch. 

Designed by Sir Rowand Anderson in the late 1800s and adorned with 15 hand-painted mural panels, McEwan Hall stands as a stunning Victorian landmark and the perfect backdrop for audiences to be enveloped by the spellbinding visuals and sounds of Enlightenment.

The 30-minute installation is divided into scenes, each designed to be enjoyed while seated on comfortable chairs or bean bags, allowing guests to gaze up at the projections that adorn the ceiling and walls. They can expect to take in spring, summer, autumn and winter like never before.

The journey also consists of two final stops into the magic of the universe, taking viewers directly to “Samsara”, a concept borrowed from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cultures that describes the endless cycle of rebirth and suffering, and “Nirvana”, the attainment of ultimate enlightenment and liberation from samsara.

It’s a fascinating experience that can be enjoyed by children and adults, friends and families alike.

Using video mapping technology, the show creates a precise and immersive environment, melding imagery with the sounds of classical music to fully engage and mesmerise the audience.

Sign up to the waitlist now on Fever’s platform for an exclusive presale access before general sale on 18 December.

Practical information

Carols at St Mary’s this Saturday

SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER at 2pm

ST MARY’s CATHEDRAL, PALMERSTON PLACE

This Saturday (13th December) at 2pm, come and sing Community Carols with us!

No booking required, just come along for a good sing of carols round the piano.

All welcome, with refreshments afterwards.

http://www.cathedral.net/event…/community-carols-2025

From the Highlands to Hornbill, Scottish folk takes centre stage in India

Supported by the British Council, Scottish musician RuMac is in India this week bringing the accordion to thousands of people at Hornbill festival, one of India’s largest cultural festivals

Originally from Ullapool, Ruairidh Maclean, a singer-songwriter who performs as RuMac, took to the main stage at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland this week (Tuesday 02 December), where the United Kingdom is this year’s Country Partner for the festival.

RuMac’s performance at Hornbill marks his first visit to India. Following his festival appearance, he performed at the historic Tollygunge Club in Kolkata (Thursday, 4 December).

Nicknamed the “Festival of Festivals”, the 10-day Hornbill Festival is celebrating its 26th year and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It is India’s largest celebration of tribal heritage, with audiences given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions, music, and folklore of the Naga people.

RuMac began his solo set in front of a large projection of the Scottish flag, bringing a blend of traditional Scottish folk, Gaelic song, and a mix of genres to the Hornbill stage. Known for high-energy performances that move from traditional accordion playing to heavy rock, he has built a reputation as a unique live act that went down well with the large crowd.

RuMac said he felt proud to showcase Scottish culture internationally and saw parallels between Highland and Naga folk traditions, saying: ““I’m thrilled to be performing in India for the first time, in a part of theworld I’ve never had the chance to visit before.

“I didn’t know how the performance would go as the accordion is quite a weird instrument!  but the crowd have made me feel at home and it was brilliant.

“I’m especially looking forward to my show in Kolkata and to bring a little bit of The Highlands of Scotland along with me; hopefully they’ll like what I do! Slàinte!”

Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant to follow RuMac’s journey to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival, which is such a significant moment in the Indian cultural calendar.

“His performance shows how music can bridge cultures and continents and we’re proud to create platforms for Scottish musicians to find new global audiences.”

The British Council has brought UK artists to Hornbill in previous editions, with the festival creating opportunities for musicians to connect with audiences and experience the rich musical traditions of Nagaland, a region whose folk heritage resonates strongly with Scotland’s own.

The visit forms part of the British Council’s ongoing work to foster cultural connections between the UK and India, creating opportunities for artists from both regions to share their work and develop new collaborations.

It continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts and education.

Winter Welcome: Heriot-Watt University Christmas Concerts

If the winter gloom is getting you down, Heriot-Watt has two events guaranteed to raise your spirits with some festive cheer. 

Our ever-popular Christmas Carol Celebration is taking place at the Edinburgh campus on Friday, December 12th.  Come to the James Watt Centre at 5.30pm for an unforgettable evening of seasonal music and readings. 

Members of the University Choir will be accompanied by the University Orchestra. Complimentary mince pies and mulled wine (alternatives available) will be provided before the concert starts at 6.30pm.  

Matthew Brown, Heriot-Watt’s Director of Music, has promised a memorable evening: “The Christmas Carol Celebration is a highlight of our year, bringing together the community to share in the joy and beauty of the season through music. We can’t wait to welcome you.” 

Tickets are free and early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Please secure your place through Eventbrite – and mark your calendar!  

If you can’t make the Christmas Carol Celebration, why not come to ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Wednesday December 10th at 7.30pm?

In the beautiful setting of St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh, the Heriot-Watt Chamber Choir will entertain you with words and music based on the Charles Dickens classic.

Further details and tickets for ‘A Christmas Carol’ are available through

TicketSource. 

Over 16,000 people enjoyed free weekend events at Ross Bandstand

Over 16,000 people enjoyed free community and music events at Ross Bandstand over the St Andrew’s Day weekend celebrations, presented by Edinburgh’s Christmas.

Edinburgh Christmas, Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Among many others, audiences danced to the famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers (pictured) and whirled-away to The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, renowned as one of the top ceilidh acts in the world!

Edinburgh’s Christmas events and activities continue until 4 January!

Another fantastic weekend of entertainment features Edinburgh Sings! this Saturday and the annual Santa Fun Run & Walk and Santa Paws on Sunday.