Latest news with #RoyalConservatoireofScotland
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
All-star cast join Ballad Lines musical for 18 track album
The album will be launched with a special one-off concert at Cottiers in Glasgow on Monday, September 15. The album features original songs alongside some reimagined traditional Scottish and Appalachian ballads. The music is from the Scottish folk musical Ballad Lines and will feature an all-female band made up of one of Scotland's foremost acoustic guitarists Anna Massie, renowned Highland fiddle player Laura Wilkie, electric guitarist Jenny Clifford, bassist Charlotte Printer and Scottish-Icelandic percussionist and drummer Signy Jakobsdottir. In the run-up to the album launch, a teaser EP will be released on July 18 with a single – Queen Among The Heather – to be released on August 29. Previously known as A Mother's Song, Ballad Lines is a five star-reviewed new musical that shines a light on how th songs and choices of our ancestor can change the course of our futures. The 18 songs will include new arrangements of Handsome Molly, The Four Marys and Let No Man Steal Your Thyme alongside 14 original songs by Finn Anderson. The musicians on the album come from a diverse range of folk, roots, pop, rock and alternative music scenes and draws on a range of styles. Read More The musical began in 2014 after being created by Anderson and Tania Azevedo and it was commissioned by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Northwestern's American Music Theatre Project. Anderson said: 'This has been one of the most challenging and exciting projects of my career so far - a culmination of everything I've learned working in music and theatre over the past decade. 'Our dream for this project was to create a true fusion of folk and musical theatre. For the album, we've brought together some of the most exciting folk and traditional musicians and singers from Scotland and North America, alongside some of the UK's best musical theatre performers. 'The result is an 18-track score that I hope captures both the authenticity of traditional Scottish and Appalachian ballad storytelling, and the dramatic emotional sweep of great musical theatre. Most of the musicians and folk singers on the album have not worked in theatre before, and the Scottish and Appalachian traditional styles are relatively untapped territory for a musical. 'As an artist who straddles the music and theatre scenes. it's so rewarding for me to cross-pollinate and blend these two worlds, bringing artists from the different sides of my work together in a way that feels really authentic to who I am and also just really right for this story. 'Ballad Lines explores how songs travel — how they evolve, shift, and change hands over time. So it feels especially meaningful to have assembled a cross-genre, cross-continental company to bring these songs to life.' Tania added: 'Ballad Lines places queer and female voices at the heart of an art form historically dominated by patriarchal narratives. 'By reinterpreting traditional ballads through the lens of a modern queer woman tracing her matrilineal line, we both hope this show reclaims folklore as a space for diverse, intersectional storytelling—something rarely seen in either folk or musical theatre.' Tickets to the special gig at Cottiers are on sale from
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Award-winning Michael Brawley Big Band marks 30th anniversary with series of gigs
It all began when musician Michael Brawley sent out a call to players in the Hamilton Advertiser back in 1995 in the style of First World War minister Lord Kitchener, which read '(Your) Swing Band Needs You' - and the rest, as they say, is history. It's 30 years since Lanarkshire's award-winning Michael Brawley Big Band first took to the stage - and it all began with an ad in the Hamilton Advertiser. And to mark the anniversary milestone, the marvellous musicians have a number of gigs lined up, including at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sunday Community & Family Day, at Bridgeton Bus Garage, this Sunday, July 27, performing two sets from 12 noon. Hamilton musician Michael Brawley sent out a call to players in the Hamilton Advertiser back in 1995 in the style of First World War minister Lord Kitchener, which read '(Your) Swing Band Needs You' - and the rest, as they say, is history. The band, which performs solely to raise money for well-meaning and worthy causes, has donated more than £60,000 to charity. Michael, 50, said: "Looking back, I'm proud of what the band has achieved. "I was two-and-a-half years into my degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland when I came up with the idea. "I'd played in jazz bands at school and knew there were lots of local players whose instruments were lying under their beds. "Eileen Mortlock, principal music teacher at St. John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton, and her husband, musician Ernie Mortlock, were great supporters. "We rehearsed in the school and our first gig was at a Christmas concert." The band went on to win a raft of awards at the National Concert Band Festival, the UK's largest festival for wind and big bands. The players secured a platinum award, two gold awards and a silver award at events in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Michael, who has a distinguished career as a musician and music teacher, still plays with the band on occasion. The group has been run for many years by a committee of players and its current musical director is Duncan Parkinson. Michael said: "Being a musician is part of something that you are. If you have that compulsion, you can't choose not to follow that path. "The band has such a good energy about it, and I'm thrilled that there are players still there who were there at the start. Here's to the next 30 years." The band's schedule in the past year alone has included gigs at the iconic B-listed Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow, Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, Hamilton Pride, Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT) and Coatbridge's Summerlee Museum. As well as the gig at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sunday Community & Family Day, at Bridgeton Bus Garage this weekend, locally, the band is performing at an event to mark 150 years of Lodge St Bryde in Uddingston on August 22 at 7pm. This is open to all and donations to charity are welcome on the door. And the band returns to GVVT on September 7 for the Blue Lights, Buses and Troops open day, celebrating the services, emergency and military; for more information, visit or the band's Facebook page. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Global jazz star receives honorary doctorate in Glasgow
Wynton Marsalis, an internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator, received the accolade from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) during its summer graduation ceremony on Thursday, July 3. Mr Marsalis is known for performing and composing music across the entire jazz spectrum, from its New Orleans roots through bebop to contemporary styles. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Ex-Scotland captain gets honorary doctorate in Glasgow He has created and performed an extensive body of new work for jazz and classical ensembles of all sizes, including big bands, chamber groups, and symphony orchestras. The beloved musician is also the managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Centre, an institution that strives to highlight jazz as an "essential" art form. Under his direction, the institute opened Frederick P. Rose Hall – the world's first performance, broadcast, and education venue dedicated to jazz. In addition to performing and composing, Mr Marsalis has dedicated his life to music education, mentoring young musicians, and promoting jazz to audiences worldwide. His achievements have been recognised with numerous awards, including the US National Medal of Arts, France's Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and Japan's Praemium Imperiale. Upon receiving his honorary doctorate from the RCS in Glasgow, which he termed a 'prestigious honour', Mr Marsalis spoke to the graduating class of 2025, detailing his affection for Scotland. (Image: Supplied) He said: "I have a deep love and appreciation for this country. "From her, I have received some priceless gifts. "My great mentor and long-term bandmate, baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley, was born in 1927 in Fife. "He was a walking advertisement for Scotland." The ceremony also saw the RCS award an honorary doctorate in production arts to Bunny Christie OBE. Ms Christie is a multi-award-winning set and costume designer who has won two Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards. She was the first woman to win the Olivier Award for Best Design. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Leading musician dismissed from senior role at prestigious Glasgow school Ms Christie is well known for her work on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which began at the National Theatre before moving to the West End and Broadway. An honorary doctorate in music was also awarded, in absentia, to pop icon Lulu. Lulu has spent more than 60 years in the entertainment industry, with achievements including a Eurovision win, performing the 1974 Bond theme The Man with the Golden Gun, and working with artists such as David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Elton John. She recently launched Lulu's Mental Health Trust and is set to release a memoir later this year.
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Wynton Marsalis awarded doctorate at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
The internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, bandleader and educator is regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz. His honorary degree comes for services to music and he credited Scotland as being a key part of his journey. Marsalis joined graduating students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow and is the first jazz artist to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum from its New Orleans roots to bebop to modern jazz. He is also the managing and artistic director of jazz at Lincoln Center and has been recognised with numerous honours, including the US National Medal of Arts, France's Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and Japan's Praemium Imperiale. Read More In his speech, he said: 'I have a deep love and appreciation for this country. From her, I have received some priceless gifts. My great mentor and long-term bandmate, baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley, was born in 1927 in Fife… He was a walking advertisement for Scotland.' The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will also confer an honorary doctorate in production arts to Bunny Christie OBE later this afternoon. With two Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards under her belt, Christie made history as the first woman to win the Olivier Award for Best Design and was also the first woman to receive the Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Awards for Best Designer. Born and raised in St Andrews, she has a long relationship with the National Theatre, designing in all its theatre spaces and devising shows at the NT Studio. Her work at the NT covers production and costume design for many of the classics and new plays. An honorary doctorate in music was also bestowed on Lulu, who was unable to make it to the RCS.
Scotsman
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Under the Radar: Pippa Blundell
Pippa Blundell Twice nominated for the Sound of Young Scotland award, Pippa Blundell has built a strong following in Glasgow's grassroots music scene, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pippa Blundell started out with aspirations to become an opera singer, graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a degree in mezzo-soprano voice. However, she soon found that her true calling was in Glasgow's grassroots music scene, where she built such a strong following that she was able to crowdfund £9,000 for the release of her recent album, Common Thread. Drawing influences from the storytelling lineage of folk music, it combines her captivating vocals with double bass, guitar, piano and harmonium. This compelling mix is beautifully rounded off by producer James Mackay, whose atmospheric touch makes it feel like the band are in the room. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Twice nominated for the Sound of Young Scotland award, Blundell has also won admirers on Radio Scotland and 6Music, as well as performing at Kelburn Garden Party, Doune the Rabbit Hole, Solas and the Glasgow Jazz Festival. We can also exclusively reveal that she has also been selected by music industry tastemakers for our Made In Scotland Gigs showcase, hosted in partnership with the Fringe on 15 August. This will be followed in September with a UK tour including a date at Oran Mor on 24 September, see Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, see
