Music
Singers raised their voices as music festival returned
St Andrews Voices Festival celebrated a joyous return, with afive-day programme that welcomed singers from across the country, as well as internationally, to raise their voices together once again. The 2021 edition of Scotland’s singing festival closed on Sunday after a weekend of music highlights, including workshops, choral services and performances from world-class musicians and…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreTwo 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…
Read MoreOur 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…
Read MoreStrathallan 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…
Read MoreScottish 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…
Read MoreInternational 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…
Read MoreFull 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…
Read MoreYoung 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…
Read MoreFree 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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