The Mòd was a roaring success on its return

The Royal National Mòd 2021 closed in style as the sounds of singing from choirs the length and breadth of Scotland rang out across Inverness, celebrating the nine-day festival’s triumphant return. The 129 year-old event celebrating Gaelic language and culture was held at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness from 8-16 October and closed with a…

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Two new music competitions for Scottish youngsters

The search is now on for Solo Performer of the Year and Brass Ensemble of the Year in Scotland’s new festival of music competitions. Following the success of the North Ayrshire Young Musician Competition which has run for over 20 years and seen up to 20,000 people take part, The Music Education Partnership Group is…

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Our latest podcast marks the return of Scottish Opera

The Scottish Field podcast turns to the world of music this week, as we preview the return of Scottish Opera. Podcast host Kenny Smith meets Derek Clark, head of music at Scottish Opera, ahead of their imminent productions of The Gondoliers and Utopia, Limited. A new Scottish Opera production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers…

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Strathallan School adds another string to its bow

Traditional Scottish music lessons and step dancing are just some of the new subjects on offer at Strathallan School this year. The school has launched a traditional music and Scottish culture department. The brand-new programme, which will include workshops led by the UK’s top folk musicians, was kicked off this week with a fiddle workshop…

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Scottish Opera returns to theatres with new productions

A new Scottish Opera production of Gilberts and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers will open at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal before traveling to cities around the country. This co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera and State Opera South Australia will tour Edinburgh, Inverness, and London for a total of 24 performances, and will include the Scottish Opera premiere of…

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International mezzo-soprano returns to the Conservatoire

A leading international artist who has graced the stages of the world’s top opera houses has been appointed to lead the training of the next generation of singers at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Renowned mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill will take up the position of the Royal Conservatoire’s Head of Vocal Performance on an interim basis…

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Full programme for Piping Live! unveiled

The full suite of programmed activity for Glasgow’s Piping Live! festival has been unveiled, with a number of in-person shows confirmed to go ahead as part of the nine-day event. The world’s biggest piping festival will take a hybrid approach for 2021, combining performances at The National Piping Centre alongside a rich programme of online…

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Young Scots cellist wins top music prize

A seventeen-year-old cellist from Edinburgh has won the highly prestigious Directors’ Recital Prize 2021 presented annually by Scotland’s national music school. Layla Ballard, in her last year at St Mary’s Music School, was declared the winner of the 21st annual competition following a closely contested final with three other senior soloists. The other finalists were…

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Free one-hour taster concerts coming to Paxton House

Music at Paxton, the summer festival of international chamber music at Paxton House, near Berwick Upon Tweed, is back for 2021. Audiences can enjoy two free taster concerts at Music at Paxton… Plus. Twogether Duo sees violinist Huixin Hu violin and accordionist Alena Bulkatetskaya kick off the first taster concert on Sunday 20 June at…

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Hunt begins for Young Traditional Musician 2022

The search for the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 has officially begun. The competition opened for entries Thursday, May 27. If you are a singer or instrumentalist aged between 16 and 27 with a passion for traditional music, apply now and you could win the prestigious title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional…

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