scots music group

We had a great night at the Campaign Ceilidh. Click on the picture below to see a slideshow of photos from the evening

We’re looking for a willing volunteer to help out as a Venue Host at classes on Wednesday evenings at Boroughmuir. The Venue Host puts out the Juice & Biscuits and fliers in room 2.01 before 7pm each week, and puts them away again after 9pm. In return, there is a generous concession on class fees for the term.

If you are interested, or would like to find out more, please email Ros

Have you ever wanted to perform in front of others, but don’t know where to start? The Big Seat by the Fire is an informal and supportive space for Scots Music Group members to try out performance skills. It runs once a month during term time, on the second Sunday of the month. The first Big Seat for this term will be on Sunday 12th December. Find out more about it here

Over 200 protesters gathered for a colourful protest outside the parliament today, raising awareness of the lack of funding currently available for traditional music. Several MSPs also lent their support. At parliamentary questions in the morning, Sarah Boyack asked Linda Fabiani what funding support was available for community-based Scottish traditional arts to ensure that our culture survives into the future. Read the full text of the discussion here

After the protest representatives from SMG, the TMSA and the STDT then went on to meet with Linda Fabiani, to discuss their current funding concerns.

As a result of this meeting, the Scots Music Group has decided to approach the SAC again, to discuss short-term funding to see us through this period of uncertainty.

Many thanks to everyone who took time to come along today to show their support, and also to those who have worked behind the scenes to make the event such a success!

If you have any photos from the protest you’d like to share with us, please email copies to Ros

Click on the picture below to see a slideshow of photos from the protest. Thanks to Colin Gajewski, John Davey, Giles Guthrie and Shirley wemyss, whose photos are included in this selection.

In April 2008 we heard from the Scottish Arts Council that we will lose our grant funding from April 2009. The SMG board are currently looking at various options to help us deal with this situation. In the meantime, classes and events will run as usual from September 2008

We have set up a contact list so we can keep people informed of our plans regarding our funding. If you would like to be kept up to date with developments please complete the contact form stating you would like to be added to our Funding Developments Contact List.

We prefer to contact you by email but if you do not have an email address please use the ‘comments’ box on the contact form to give us your postal address.

Many thanks

People often contact us looking for traditional musicians to play &/or sing at local community events. If you’d like a chance to get out and perform at events, and want your details included on an email list, please contact Ros in the office. You can also email Ros if you are looking for performers to add something to an event you are planning

On 3rd Septyember, Culture Minister Linda Fabiani confirmed there will be no further delay to establishing Creative Scotland. Read the full press release here