Tag: young musicians

Even more pupils have had the opportunity to perform as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

Over 5,500 young people in Edinburgh receive weekly music lessons in their schools through the Instrumental Music Service. Over the last month (28 February – 31 March 2026) even more children and young people in Edinburgh have had the opportunity to experience the benefits of live music making, performing as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

• At the end of February, 60 young pianists took part in the second annual piano festival, hosted in the City of Edinburgh Music School. Young pianists performed a range of pieces on the Steinway Grand Piano in the recital room.
• On the 1 March, the Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Senior Guitar Ensemble were selected, from a range of national entries, to perform at the Scottish Young Musician Ensemble Final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
• Young jazz musicians have had the opportunity to showcase their talent this term, including on the 10 March at the city’s iconic Jazz Bar. The Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra performed an hour-long set, featuring the internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Sue McKenzie.
• BBC Proms presenter, saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam, delivered an inspiring masterclass for young saxophonists on Thursday 12 March, prior to her Scottish premiere with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
• On the 15 March, three bands from Leith Academy, James Gillespies High School and Boroughmuir High School performed a sold-out gig at the Jazz Bar as part of Edinburgh Rocks! Festival. The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble took to the stage as the headliner for the festival.

On 23 March, over 600 young musicians, with pupils from the majority of Edinburgh’s schools, took to the stage at the Usher Hall, performing across seven different ensembles.

The first half featured Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble and Edinburgh School’s Rock Ensemble.

The first half closed with the inaugural performance of the City of Edinburgh Schools Training Wind Ensemble, with over 120 wind musicians from 17 secondary schools taking part.

The second half opened with over 120 string players performing as part of the Edinburgh Primary String Ensemble – the first public performance for many of these learners. The concert closed with the Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble performing music from three iconic movie scores and the Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Festive Overture.

This school session is the first time all Edinburgh’s secondary schools have been represented as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s Usher Hall concert series. In recent years, the Instrumental Music Service has invested in additional resources including instruments, with a focus on equity, to further remove barriers to learning and participation.

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “We want as many children and young people as possible to have the opportunity to not only learn an instrument, but to make progress, have the chance to play as part of a group or ensemble, and to perform to an audience.

“All of this is hugely beneficial for young people in both the short and long term, helping to build perseverance, self-esteem, communication and creativity. These skills and experiences, together with the sense of achievement, pave the way for better attainment and life chances.

“We are committed to making sure that pupils who may not have had the opportunity to do so before are now taking part in our ensembles and getting to experience the buzz of performing to an audience.

“I want to thank our dedicated instrumental instructors and those who give up their time to coach and lead our ensembles – I am confident that these experiences will stay with our young people well beyond their time at school.

To round off the term, on 31 March, the city hosted their Scottish Young Musician Regional Final, in Portobello High School. The competition featured representatives from 12 secondary schools, all competing for the coveted title of The City of Edinburgh Council Young Musician of the Year.

In the end, it was pianist Joshua Gibson, from Queensferry High School, who found favour with the judges.

With singer Liza Aquado, from St Augustine’s R.C. High School, awarded runner up and guitarist Ivar Mackie, from Portobello High School, awarded the most promising young musician. Joshua will now represent the City of Edinburgh Council, performing at the national Scottish Young Musician Final, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in May.

Oscar, S4 pupil at Boroughmuir High School said: “The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble is brilliant fun, I really enjoy it, it’s an opportunity like no other!

“Our teachers and all the young musicians are totally committed to our weekly rehearsals and to all our gigs throughout the year – of which our recent performances at Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar and the Usher Hall were just two.

“I’ve made some really good friends and I cannot wait to go on tour in June!