Red Note

Apply now for Red Note Factory Weekend
2025-10-04 10:30 - 2025-10-05 17:00 (Europe/London) | Scottish Opera, 39 Elmbank Cresent, Glasgow, G2 4PT, United Kingdom
Factory Weekend is an opportunity for young classical music performers to take part in a weekend of creative music making. If you are an instrumentalist aged 18-28, interested in playing contemporary music and exploring some new skills in a fun and supportive environment, then our two day workshop is for you! No previous experience in contemporary music needed – just curiosity and enthusiasm.

Places are fully funded but limited, so apply early to make sure you don’t miss out!
Lunch and coffee/tea will be provided on both days.
What to expect during the weekend
Factory Weekend is all about creative music making and will include: working on improvisation and new compositions, playing alongside Red Note musicians, and putting together a performance of an open score piece.
There will be rhythm skills games, and you will get the chance to try sketching out your own piece. We will also have discussions and advice sessions on working with composers and building your own projects.
This is an opportunity to gain experience in playing new music, to meet some of the Red Note team, and to explore some new skills. We’re always on the lookout for the new generation of talent, so it is also a chance for us to meet some potential future Red Note musicians as well!
Factory Weekend is primarily aimed at music students and recent graduates aiming at careers as performers, but we also welcome applications from people who are not studying music but play their instrument to a high level. Places are open to players of any orchestral instrument, plus guitar and saxophone.
Unfortunately we can’t accommodate pianists this time.
When and where
Factory Weekend will take place in Glasgow at Scottish Opera on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October. Lunch, tea/coffee and pastries will be provided.
Places are fully funded but strictly limited, and you will need to be available for both days.
How to apply
To apply, fill out the application form via this link before Tuesday 16th September 2025
If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact us at admin@rednoteensemble.com.

Please note, the workshop will be held at the Scottish Opera offices, which is an old building. If you are a wheelchair user or have any access requirements please get in touch with us at admin@rednoteensemble.com

Red Note is funded by Creative Scotland and is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner.

An Easterhouse Children’s Manifesto at Baboró, Galway
2025-10-10 10:00 - 2025-10-19 17:00 | Outset Gallery, The Cornstore Mall, H91 K8YV
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is Ireland’s flagship arts festival dedicated to children and families.
“A truly immersive experience for the young participants, beautifully integrating contemporary music… the authentic voices of the children shone throughout, both in the creation and the performance, making their contributions feel genuine and integral.”
– Ivors Classical Awards Judges 2024 on selecting the project as the winner of Best Community and Participation Composition.
Click HERE for more information
The exhibition runs from Friday 10th October until Sunday 19th October.

Red Note at sound festival
2025-10-30 18:00 - 20:00 | King’s Pavillion, High Street, Aberdeen, AB24 1SX
King’s Pavillion, Thursday 30th October 6:00pm
Journey beneath the Earth in Lost Science, dive into vibrant underwater worlds in Reef, and experience a string trio by Blasio Kavuma. Together, these works, including two world premiere, channel nature’s hidden voices – echoing deep time, fragile ecosystems, and new beginnings.
Programme
Ruth Morley Reef (World Première)
Blasio Kavuma String Trio
Tansy Davies Lost Science (World Première)
Red Note Ensemble
Ruth Morley, flute
Tim Lines, bass clarinet
Jackie Shave, violin
Fiona Winning, viola
Martin Storey, cello
Iain Crawford, double bass
Tom Hunter, percussion
Laura Bowler, voice
In association with the University of Aberdeen Music Department.
Lost Science is co-commissioned by Red Note Ensemble, sound,
Crash Ensemble and Ensemble Offspring.
Reef is commissioned by Red Note Ensemble.

Red Note at sound festival - Spotlight Gig
2025-11-01 12:00 - 13:00 | St Andrew’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, 28 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AX, United Kingdom
St Andrew’s Cathedral, Saturday 1st November 12:00pm
Katherine Bryer (oboe) and Cerys Ambrose-Evans (bassoon) perform new works by emerging Scottish-based composers Olivia McLean, Finn O’Hare, David Ford, Alison Beattie and Ewa Adamiec resulting from a 3-month composer development opportunity supported by composer Anna Appleby.
In association with Red Note Ensemble and St Andrew’s Cathedral at Noon series. Part of the soundcreators programme.

Join the Red Note Ensemble Board
2025-11-02
Be part of something amazing – Scotland’s new music ensemble is looking for a new Chair of the Board along with a new trustee with legal expertise and a new Trustee in Training.
As one of the UK’s most exciting and innovative makers and commissioners of new music, the role of trustee means you will become part of a vanguard developing new works for the national and international stage, supporting and developing young composers and musicians and working closely with communities.
Always forward-thinking and dynamic, the company plays a leadership role nationally and internationally in the development of new music and the engagement of new audiences through its busy, annual schedule of events. Our current Board members have expertise and experience at a senior level in arts, marketing, education, finance, and community work.
See details for each role and how to apply below.

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CHAIR OF THE BOARD
For this role, we invite interest from suitably experienced individuals at a Chief Executive level and would particularly welcome those with a background in the UK public sector and/or experience of a previous board membership and a genuine interest in music and the arts. The ideal candidate would contribute their knowledge and strong industry contacts and commit to actively support the ensemble by promoting and supporting the organisation externally.
Candidates should share our values, have experience in leadership or governance and have time to invest in supporting Red Note’s work and strategy. Previous Chair experience is not required but a plus, though we do require strong leadership experience in a public sector setting.
Board meetings are held quarterly online, and the Board meet once a year in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh for the annual Board Away Day.
The Chair is responsible for ensuring the Board works effectively, leading the Board team and meetings and overseeing decisions taken.
In addition, the Chair gives informal advice by phone or 1:1 meeting with the executive team as required and line-manages the CEO.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the current Chair of the Board, Ian Smith, you can get in touch with him via email at ian65smith@icloud.com or call +353 87 442 2654
Alternatively, please write to us explaining why you are interested in becoming Red Note’s Chair of the Board (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV.
Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.
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TRUSTEE WITH LEGAL EXPERTISE
For this role, we invite interest from candidates with experience in the legal sector, and a genuine interest in music and the arts.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in contract or IP law.
You don’t have to love contemporary music to be part of the story, but you do need to believe that music makes a real difference to life and provides significant access to participation at every level.
You don’t have to have experience of being on a Board, one of our core areas of focus is developing talent, and that applies to our trustees too.
You don’t need to be based in Scotland (or the UK), we value expertise and insight wherever you are based.
What you do need, is enthusiasm, affinity with Red Note’s ethos and some time to dedicate to quarterly meetings on Zoom, with some work in between and to attend our annual Board Away Day in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Before each board meeting, papers are circulated for the board to read in advance. Board meetings are usually on a Monday evening between 6-8pm UK time.
In return, you’ll learn new things, stretch your thinking, and meet some genuinely lovely folk.
If you’ve never considered being on a Board but you would like to discuss the opportunity with any of us – get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve got oodles of experience and have time to spare, we’d love to hear from you too.
To find out more about why Red Note Ensemble is so exciting, and to discover more about what it means to be a Director and Trustee please check out Red Note’s website, and the Board Director handbook.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com.
Alternatively, please write to us explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of Red Note Ensemble (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV. Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com
with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.
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TRUSTEE IN TRAINING
This is an opportunity for a student or emerging professional aged 18-28 to take part in a 2-year board trustee in training role. This opportunity will allow a student or emerging professional to get first-hand experience sitting on a board and develop their skills.
Please note this is a voluntary role.
What To Expect
You don’t have to have experience of being on a Board. This role is specifically catered towards developing talent and potential. Learning in this role is expected. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to shadow other board members, as well as a one-to-one mentor with a current Red Note trustee.
What you do need, is enthusiasm, affinity with Red Note’s ethos and some time to dedicate to quarterly meetings on Zoom, with some work in between and to attend our annual Board Away Day in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Before each board meeting, papers are circulated for the board to read in advance. Board meetings are usually on a Monday evening between 6-8pm UK time.
The board aims to have one in person meeting or training day each year. Travel expenses will be covered by Red Note for this.
This traineeship is for 2 years. We would like to hear from applicants that can commit to this tenure. You don’t need to be based in Scotland, we value insight from anywhere. Red Note currently has 2 board members who are based in Europe.
Benefits
In return, you’ll learn new things, stretch your thinking, and meet some genuinely lovely folk.
The role of a trustee is an incredible experience that will boost your career and give the opportunity to develop a range of skills:

Develop skills
Grow your network
Learn about governance and understand how the arts sector works
Make a difference

It is also worth noting that our former Trustee in Training; Mareike Ohl has now been elected to serve as a full Red Note Ensemble trustee demonstrating the significant benefit of this initiative to the successful applicant.
Contact
If you’ve never considered being on a Board but fancy a chat – get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
For an informal chat with the Chair, CEO or any of the Board, contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com or call +353 87 442 2654
How To Apply
Please write to us explaining why you are interested in becoming Red Note’s next Trustee in Training (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV. Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to submit interest is Sunday 2nd November 2025.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com
with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.
If there is another format that would support you to do your best application then please get in touch via flore@rednoteensemble.com and we will work with you to try and make it possible.

Chair Of The Board
2026-01-04
Be part of something amazing – Scotland’s new music ensemble is looking for a new Chair of the Board.
As one of the UK’s most exciting and innovative makers and commissioners of new music, the role of trustee means you will become part of a vanguard developing new works for the national and international stage, supporting and developing young composers and musicians and working closely with communities.
Always forward-thinking and dynamic, the company plays a leadership role nationally and internationally in the development of new music and the engagement of new audiences through its busy, annual schedule of events. Our current Board members have expertise and experience at a senior level in arts, marketing, education, finance, and community work.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
For this role, we invite interest from suitably experienced individuals at a Chief Executive level and would particularly welcome those with a background in the UK public sector and/or experience of a previous board membership and a genuine interest in music and the arts. The ideal candidate would contribute their knowledge and strong industry contacts and commit to actively support the ensemble by promoting and supporting the organisation externally.
Candidates should share our values, have experience in leadership or governance and have time to invest in supporting Red Note’s work and strategy. Previous Chair experience is not required but a plus, though we do require strong leadership experience in a public sector setting.
Board meetings are held quarterly online, and the Board meet once a year in person in Glasgow or Edinburgh for the annual Board Away Day.
The Chair is responsible for ensuring the Board works effectively, leading the Board team and meetings and overseeing decisions taken.
In addition, the Chair gives informal advice by phone or 1:1 meeting with the executive team as required and line-manages the CEO.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the current Chair of the Board, Ian Smith, you can get in touch with him via email at ian65smith@icloud.com or call +353 87 442 2654
Alternatively, please write to us explaining why you are interested in becoming Red Note’s Chair of the Board (no more than an A4 page, single sided) and attach your CV.
Please send this to Red Note’s General Manager, Flore Ducasse, on flore@rednoteensemble.com.
The deadline to apply is Sunday 4th January 2026.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, if you have technical difficulties or have any access requirements, we can support you with the application process. Please contact Ian Smith, Chair of the Board at ian65smith@icloud.com with your question and he will reply to you with the required information.

Noisy Nights in Glasgow - Call for Scores
2026-01-21
Noisy Nights are informal new music nights that provide an outlet to hear emerging new musical ideas and voices. Three Red Note musicians will perform up to 8 short new 5-minute works selected from the open call.
The concert will take place on Monday 23rd February 2026, 19:30 at Drygate in Glasgow.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 21st January 2026, 23:59.
CALL FOR SCORES
• Maximum length: 5 minutes
• Instrumentation: Flute*, Bassoon, Classical Guitar
• Only new works composed for this call and including all three instruments will be accepted
• Deadline: Wednesday 21st January 2026 (23:59 – UK time)
Please note the scores should not include electronics or any pre-recorded parts, and when writing please consider that these concerts are rehearsed in a short time frame.
*concert flute without doublings.
If you’ve got any questions regarding the instruments list, please email admin@rednoteensemble.com.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply please please fill in the form HERE
If you have any questions or encountering any issues with the form or uploading your score to the form please contact us on admin@rednoteensemble.com.

SUPPORT:
We encourage those local to the area to apply. There are limited options to apply for a travel bursary if you are selected and based outside of Glasgow, and reside within the UK.
Please note that our travel bursary funds are limited, so we may not be able to fully cover your travel expenses. We will strive to offer as much support as possible. However if travel is not possible, selected composers will have the option to join the rehearsal and concert online.
Unfortunately we are not able to offer travel support for composers based outside of the UK.
If you have any questions or access requirements, please contact Dawn Coulshed at admin@rednoteensemble.com

Red Note is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL

Red Note Ensemble and Laura Bowler: Deconstructing Pierrot
2026-02-07 19:30 - 20:30 | Joan Knight Studio, Perth Theatre, Perth Theatre, Perth, PH1 5HZ
What happens when you take a “classical masterpiece,” smash it apart, and rebuild it for the world we live in now?

“Triple threat composer-performer provocatrice” Laura Bowler dives head-first into the iconic Pierrot Lunaire and drags it into the 21st Century of clicks, feeds and digital self-performance — glitching it, remixing it, questioning it, and completely owning it.
It’s bold. It’s fierce. It’s unapologetically weird (in a good way).

Part concert, part theatre, part sensory overload, perfect even if you’ve never touched “new music” before.
Come get your expectations — and your attention span — rewired.

Laura Bowler Deconstructing Pierrot
Red Note Ensemble
Ruth Morley, Flute
Tim Lines, Clarinet
Tom Hunter, Percussion
Siwan Rhys, Piano
Jackie Shave, Violin
Naomi Pavri, Cello
Laura Bowler, Voice
Matthew Swan, Electronics

Co-commissioned by Red Note Ensemble, Music on Main, and Ensemble Offspring
Image: © Robin Clewley

Noisy Nights At Drygate Glasgow
2026-02-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Drygate Brewery, 85 Drygate, Glasgow, G4 0UT
Shake off your winter hibernation and come thaw your ears with bold, unpredictable, and never-before-heard music. Noisy Nights champions fresh sounds and emerging voices, bringing together composers, performers, and curious listeners in an informal setting where anything can happen.
Our players, Ruth (flute), Cerys (bassoon) and Sasha (classical guitar) will perform up to 8 short new 5-minute works selected from the open call.
Got a musical idea of your own? Step up for the 10-Minute Composer Challenge. Create a quick sketch on the night, and our musicians might bring it to life before the evening’s out.
Yes, it’s a Monday night in February but it’s FREE!
Drygate, Glasgow
Monday 23rd February
7:30pm
FREE entry – booking essential
Red Note Ensemble
Ruth Morley, Flute
Cerys Ambrose Evans, Bassoon
Sasha Savaloni, Classical Guitar
John Harris, Conductor
Red Note is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.

Red Note Annual Report 2024-25
2026-02-28
Covering the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025, you can read or download a copy of our Annual Report here.
