The season continues in the groundbreaking Emerging Artists: Sound Check series featuring the best of Scotland's young graduates and new professional talent performing live at the Usher Hall.
In partnership with Live Music Now, a charity set up by Yehudi Menuhin in 1977, this makes high quality live music accessible whilst supporting young musicians at the outset of their careers.
It is also unique for audiences giving them a chance to experience tomorrow's talent today for a fraction of the price it would normally cost to hear first class musicians at the Usher Hall.
General Manager, Karl Chapman said; "It is exciting to continue to support such an essential series for musician development. The Usher Hall is at the centre of musical life in Edinburgh and welcomes these newcomers to the hall with the fabulous acoustics. They can test out their talents, just like a young Nicola Benedetti did, from junior performer to professional, and perform on the same stage as many, many legendary performers before them – and our daytime audiences get a real treat."
Pure Brass (6 Dec) are blasting us into December with a lovely collection of seasonal pieces for Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba and Horn.
New Year starts with a flourish and the dynamic collective Flutes En Route (10 Jan), followed by the beautiful singing voice of Emma Versteeg (17 Jan) then the season closes with popular Scottish band Skerryvore and a celebration of all things Burns (Tues 24 Jan);
Skerryvore's Daniel Gillespie enthused "Live Music Now has been a fabulous experience for us and has provided performances and projects that have given us challenges and inspirational opportunities that are totally different from our usual tour schedule."
All concerts take place from 11.00-11.45am Tickets: £2 | Free for School pupils, children & students Members of the audience have the opportunity to chat with the artists afterwards in the Usher Hall Café Bar. Book online usherhall.co.uk or call 0131 228 1155 or turn up on the day.
Tuesday 6 December | Pure Brass
In anticipation of Christmas, this popular and dynamic young brass quintet are back with some seasonal favourites and some more unusual pieces, involving, amongst other things, influences from Norwegian folk music and finishing off with Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromness.
Tuesday 10 January | Flutes en Route
Pushing the boundaries of the flute quartet, Flutes en Route will present an exciting programme including Fl(ut)ing by Scottish composer Rory Boyle. Alongside this brilliant new work, be prepared to hear some familiar music in ways you have never imagined before.
Tuesday 17 January | Emma Versteeg
Soprano Emma Versteeg is accompanied by pianist Sam Hutchings on an international tour of song, inspired by folk poetry and music from around the world, featuring pieces by Haydn, Britten, Ravel, a selection from Wolf Italienisches Liederbuch and Copland American Songs.
Tuesday 24 January | Skerryvore: Burns Day Celebration
From their traditional Hebridean roots, Skerryvore have developed a unique fusion between traditional music and songs with urban sounds of rock and funk. They perform to great acclaim, locally and internationally, and here they will showcase their new album and play some old popular favourites to mark this special Scottish celebration.