We are proud of the engagement and learning work we do with community groups and schools, which allows young people and amateur musicians the opportunity to perform on the same stage that has been graced by some of the world's top live acts.
Resonate
We have partnered with The City of Edinburgh Instrumental Music Service (IMS) for the past seven years on the Resonate concert series.
The IMS currently teaches over 5,000 pupils aged between eight and eighteen, all in Edinburgh's primary and secondary schools, and the five Resonate concerts consisted of performances from over 50 of these. Approximately 780 young talented musicians performed in IMS central bands, orchestras and ensembles, as well as school groups led by a team of experienced Instrumental Music Instructors. Resonate annually provides the students with the opportunity to perform in a professional music venue to a live audience.
With thanks to The Inches Carr Trust, Sir James Miller (Edinburgh) Trust, The Educational Institute of Scotland and The Queen’s Hall Members.
Resonate 2018
The City of Edinburgh Music School
The City of Edinburgh Music School (tCoEMS) is a unique specialist music school catering for gifted youngsters from the ages of four to nineteen based within Flora Stevenson Primary School and Broughton High School. The Music School is funded by The Scottish Government’s 'Excellence Fund' and does not charge fees; pupils are selected on the basis of talent alone, not the ability to pay. Our work with them gives gifted students the opportunity to do workshops with world-class musicians and perform to a paying audience on The Queen's Hall stage.
A Christmas Wingding with Jacqui Dankworth, Charlie Wood and friends
A great time was had by all at a celebration of the festive season with new arrangements of Christmas favourites, jazzed-up carols, a smattering of seasonal poetry and general Yuletide merriment at this event in December 2017. Jacqui Dankworth, Charlie Wood and Todd Gordon all took on vocal duties and were backed by some of the country's leading jazz artists on horns, drums, bass and violin. The event followed a workshop period with members of the band and students at the music school, and audiences were wowed by the professionalism and talent which were both shown in abundance by the tCoEMS pupils.
Wingding was supported by The JKLM Trust.
(Tudor Morris, Director of tCoEMS)"The Christmas Wingding was a fantastic experience for all our students. The concert itself was a tremendous success - and a wonderful experience for the children to share the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz. The workshops and masterclasses leading up to the concert were of great educational value and have created on-going links between the school and the musicians."
tCoEMS students rehearse for their Wingding performance
Tim Kliphuis Trio
A return visit to The Queen's Hall from the Dutch violin virtuoso in March 2018 allowed us to organise another workshop and performance project with a group of students from tCoEMS which were both again very warmly received.
Tim Kliphuis' workshop and performance were funded by Sam Breadon, a Member of The Queen's Hall.
Centre Stage: Drake Music Scotland's 20th Anniversary Concert
We partner with Drake Music Scotland to celebrate their 20th Anniversary bringing disabled musicians Centre Stage - their Digital Orchestra, Equilibrium, Liveheart, The Varifocals and Audability will be performing as well as soloists. They will also be showcasing the world premiere of Skein the Digital Orchestra's collaboration with Scottish contemporary folk music fiddle player and composer, Aidan O'Rourke of Lau.
This concert is the perfect opportunity to christen a new state-of-the-art piece of equipment purchased by The Queen's Hall and specially imported from Canada: a Mobilift allowing easy access to the stage for wheelchair users. This is an important step, working with Drake Music Scotland's #LetMeONStage campaign - fighting for equal access to stages for all performers.
You can read more about the stage lift here.
You can find out about hiring the stage lift here.
The Queen's Hall wishes to thank The Russell Trust, The Martin Connell Trust and Professor John Dale for funding project costs and the purchase of the Mobilift.
Drake Music Scotland is grateful for support from Creative Scotland, CastleRock Edinvar, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and City of Edinburgh Culture Fund, PRS Foundation Talent Development Partnership, Culture and Business Fund Scotland, PreSonus Inc and The Schuh Trust.
The Bevvy Sisters and The Soundhouse Choir
The benefits to health and the wider community from singing in groups is being recognised more and more, especially with the explosion of community choirs throughout the country. This year we are partnering with The Soundhouse Choir who meet weekly, to offer them a celebratory close to an exciting year, which has seen them perform in the Usher Hall and record with The Bevvy Sisters as special guests on their third album which they will launch and perform live together.
Want to get involved?
We are always looking to grow the scope of our provision to give better access to creative learning and community projects for the local and wider community. We can't do this without your support, so see how you can help us here.