Talented five young composers join RSNO’s hub

Five emerging UK composers have been selected to benefit from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s RSNO Composers’ Hub. This is the fourth annual initiative to develop the talents of individuals in the early stages of their careers. Alex Paxton, Allan X Chen, Nicholas Olsen, Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade and Sarah Lianne Lewis have been selected as the…

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Henge gig promises to be out of this world

Music that’s out of this world is coming to Scotland’s festival village. Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway is renowned for hosting bands from all over the world – but now its welcoming musicians from Venus and beyond. The mighty Henge, who describe themselves as ‘an extra-terrestrial music collective’ plan to bring their unique sound to…

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Bringing Scotland’s history to primary schools – in song

A new production from Scottish Opera will introduce the nation’s youngsters to Scotland’s history. In the spring annd summer of 2019, thousands of primary five, six and seven school pupils will rehearse and perform an opera about one of the most dramatic periods in Scottish history: the Jacobite risings. Entitled 1719!, the opera has been…

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Tattoo house band looks to drum up support

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s house band is looking for new recruits to join them – and play all over the world. Following the resounding success of its first global tour last year, Pipers Trail – the house band of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – is opening applications today for 2019 recruits. Pipers Trail…

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Entries wanted for schools pipe band championships

A schools piping competition which is already the biggest in the world is set to grow even more. Organisers of next year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships say they expect over 150 schools from across Scotland to be represented. Event organiser Patrick Gascoigne said the predicted boost is based on the number of school pupils…

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Scottish Opera celebrates the RAF’s centenary

Scottish Opera is celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force with a unique project called From the Mud to the Stars. The project launched in October 2017 and since then a team from Scottish Opera, including former Emerging Artist Andrew McTaggart, has been working with school pupils, students, and former and serving RAF personnel…

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Five-star Fringe hit with ex-politician and opera singer

A British-American opera singer and an award-winning Edinburgh-based former politician will perform a festive adaptation of a five-star Fringe hit show in the capital next month. Andrea Baker, the internationally-renowned mezzo soprano, and former SNP councillor Richard Lewis will present a tinsel-tinged edition of Sing Sistah Sing! The Christmas Celebration, a celebration of Christmas and…

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Vote for your winners in Scots Trad Music Awards

The artists shortlisted for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards have been revealed.  The prestigious MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards is a staple in the traditional music calendar with an astounding seventeen categories this year. Winners will be revealed exclusively to a live audience of music fans and industry at Perth Concert…

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Whisky, fire and song make a great weekend

The Raasay Distillery celebrated its fourth year of Whisky, Fire & Song in tremendous style at the weekend with music, lanterns, torch-lit processions – and plenty of whisky. This year the festivities began on Friday night, with a night of Raasay Tunes in the Gathering Room at the Isle of Raasay Distillery and featured live…

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Debut solo album has been well worth the wait

Releasing on 5th November, Mutual Imagination Society Vol 1 is Brian McAlpine’s debut solo album, which is something of a surprise. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Pearlfishers, Deacon Blue, The Chieftains, Ry Cooder, Karine Polwart, Duncan Chisholm, Iron Horse, Mark Knopfler and, of course, the wonderful Session A9 to name but a few,…

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