Scottish Ensemble launch extraordinary new autumn/winter season of collaboration and connection featuring online concerts and cutting-edge digital experiences, as it starts to change the filmic language of classical music on your screen.
Scottish Ensemble (SE) announce its 2020 autumn/winter season, spanning October to December 2020. Characterised by collaboration and a focus on connection, this new season embraces digital formats and demonstrates the power of music to increase wellbeing.
Founded in 1969, SE has established a reputation as the UK’s leading string orchestra, and is today known for exploring the imaginative and innovative ways in which classical music can be presented and shared. Since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, this innovation has enabled SE to embrace the digital sphere and present a programme of online collaborations and digitally immersive audience participation pieces.
Despite the challenges faced by all across the arts and culture sector, SE continue to create imaginative, meaningful ways to bring music to people who might not otherwise be able to experience it. This season sees SE turn the reliance on digital from a necessity into an opportunity, as its versatile musicians and team focus on finding a new filmic language for classical music on screen.
Alongside ground-breaking collaborations with young musicians, established classical music stars, scientific experts, charities and more, SE will also deliver an integrated programme of bespoke participatory events and workshops in partnership with schools and Maggie’s Centres, utilising online tools such as Zoom, that have become part of everyone’s day-to-day communication.
SE Artistic Director Jonathan Morton said:
In these strange and challenging times, we feel incredibly lucky to be in a position to continue doing what we do, albeit in a slightly different way. Like everyone, we’ve had to adapt to digital and online technologies to an unprecedented extent, but we have always been committed to finding new ways of sharing our music and passion with our audiences and we feel we’ve risen to this particular challenge.
Schools’ Concerts
Kicking off the season, in keeping with their longstanding commitment to both mindfulness and inspiring young people to explore classical music, this month SE launch a series of free online lunchtime concerts for all schoolchildren in Scotland.
Musical Book Club
Back by popular demand, SE’s Musical Book Club returns on 4 November with a whole host of new themes, music and expert guests. Each session will offer a relaxing space in which people can come together and discuss powerful works of music, in much the same way that they might have previously over a few post-performance drinks.
Songs for Life with Karen Cargill
Not only is Karen Cargill an internationally in-demand mezzo-soprano, she is a passionate, infectious communicator and on 13 November she joins Scottish Ensemble for a cosy evening of music and conversation.
Philip Glass: Symphony No.3
Later in the year, SE is set to release a music video featuring their players and senior members of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and focusing on the final two movements of Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 3.
Music, Mindfulness & Maggie’s Centres
Since 2016, SE has been developing relationships with Maggie’s Centres – who provide emotional and logistical support for people affected by cancer diagnoses, and their families, across Scotland.
Solo Collaborations #2
Hot on the heels of their partnership with Scottish Dance Theatre and acclaimed first Solo Collaboration, SE step into the world of visual art and in December bring together artist Jyll Bradley, composer Anna Clyne and Jane Atkins (SE’s principal viola player) for the second in the innovative Solo Collaborations series.
Concerts by Candlelight
And finally, to celebrate the festive season in true traditional style, SE return in December with Concerts by Candlelight, which will this year be shared online (though live versions may be announced if restrictions change).