Creative Learning

Red Note has extensive involvement in the field of Creative Learning. With our Access, Engagement and Participation (AEP) programme we aim at pioneering new approaches to working with diverse communities and groups to create new music with and for them.

We take a diverse and inclusive approach to learning, grounded in the belief that music is a universal language that can be understood and used by everybody. Red Note’s AEP programme covers a wide range of projects for a wide range of people: from workshops for school pupils (New Music Makers, A Child’s Guide To Anarchy) to developmental courses for young musicians, composers and conductors (Go Compose!, Composer Development Workshops, RCS Residency) all at different stages of their professional development.

At the core of Red Note’s access, engagement and participation is our long-term 5 Places project. Targeting five locations across central Scotland over a period of several years, the project’s aim is for us to properly get to know people at all ages and stages in their own neighbourhoods at grassroots level, and work with them to develop creative music-making in the heart of their communities.

We also offer work for and with the community in short- or long-term projects such as our ground-breaking ‘musical conversations’ with people with severe disabilities (Cherry Road Centre, Bonnyrigg, in partnership with Artlink), concerts for the elderly in Residential Care Homes (as part of our Highland and Island Tours) and music for refugees (in partnership with The Welcoming, Edinburgh), to mention a few.

To find out more about Red Note’s AEP programme, please do contact Red Note’s Director of Access, Engagement and Participation, Louise Martin: Louise@rednoteensemble.com

An Easterhouse Children’s Manifesto

Red Note Ensemble, Dumbworld and the children of Oakwood Primary School in Easterhouse have created a collection of 7 musical animated video posters that explore key elements of “anarchical” thinking such as autonomy, kindness and human connectivity from a child’s perspective.

Noisy Nights

Noisy Nights are informal new music nights that provide an outlet to hear emerging new musical ideas and voices. During the evening, three Red Note musicians perform the new works selected from an open call.

Make Your Own

Make Your Own is a new workshop developed by Red Note to help make the world of writing new music accessible to all.

New Music Makers

New Music Makers inspires and supports composing within high schools, and demonstrates how a professional ensemble working in partnership with a school can create a genuine, practical legacy, enabling the school to take the work forward independently.

5 Places

Red Note likes to make working relationships which last. Find out how we’re developing longer term engagement projects with communities around Scotland.

Go Compose!

Go Compose! is a UK-wide project encouraging more young people aged 14 – 18 (and in full-time education) to develop their creative voices and make new work.

Composer Development Workshops

A yearly residential programme for 5 Scotland-based composers to develop new works for a specific instrumentation, supported by Red Note musicians and mentored by established composers. The new pieces are premiered at soundfestival in the Autumn.

RCS Residency

As Contemporary Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Red Note is a key partner in supporting the development of emerging conductors and composers, offering vital experience in working with professional musicians.

Artlink Collaboration

Red Note has been collaborating with Artlink for the past few years, developing ground-breaking ‘musical conversations’ with people with severe disabilities at the Cherry Road Centre (Bonnyrigg).

The Engaged Composer

sound and Red Note Ensemble present 3 open zoom sessions for emerging composers interested in learning more about how to inspire and work effectively with community groups.