Live Music Now Scotland will continue to bring the joy of music into people’s lives, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Together at Home series is a programme of brand new concerts, recorded especially for sharing with our longstanding audiences, whether that’s older people in care homes, children in school or nursery, or people on lockdown in every one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. And now even further beyond!
Following the cancellation of many concerts this month, Live Music Now Scotland was keen to find alternative ways of sharing music in the community. Music is more vital than ever in these uncertain times, providing a way to take our minds off the current realities that are unfolding and lift us out of the stress and worries of daily life. It was also crucial that we found a means of financially supporting our 118 emerging artists during a difficult time and ensuring their work remained accessible.
We came up with a solution: pre-recorded and live concerts, direct from the artists’ homes that we can share with care homes, arts venues and nurseries. Or straight into the living rooms or mobile phones of our supporters.
We have commissioned a special series of videos, recorded in living rooms around Scotland – or wherever our artists are on lockdown – that will be available to view on YouTube for a limited time. Here are some dates for your diary, please join us on Facebook to share some wonderful music Together at Home.
WEEK ONE:
Clark-Michie Duo, relaxing tunes on classical harp and flute, recorded at musician Aimée Clark’s parents’ home in Glasgow. Suitable for the general public. Monday 30th March, 7.30pm.
Scott Wood & Mhairi Marwick, a husband and wife duo playing lively traditional Scottish tunes on Border pipes and fiddle in their home recording studio. Suitable for primary school children. Tuesday 31st March, 11am.
Kaitlin Ross & Catriona Hawksworth, traditional Scottish, Gaelic and Irish songs with piano, including ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, commonly known as ‘Will Ye Go Lassie Go’. Suitable for the general public, older people in care homes and those living with dementia. Wednesday 1st April, 1pm.
Grant McFarlane & Ron Jappy, a fun, interactive music session with Scottish songs on guitar and accordion. Follow actions to ‘Katie Bairdie’ and dance to Scottish jigs at home. Aimed at pre-school children, 0-5 years old. Thursday 2nd April, 11am.
Sophie Rocks, a solo harpist playing a soothing concerto by Handel, a song from The Sound of Music and some of Sophie’s personal favourites. Suitable for the general public, older people in care homes and those living with dementia. Friday 3rd April, 7.30pm.
Ryan Young & Seán Gray, traditional Scottish tunes for fiddle and acoustic guitar, featuring ‘I Belong to Glasgow’ and ‘The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen’. Suitable for the general public, older people in care homes and those living with dementia. Saturday 4th April, 7.30pm.
Siannie Moodie, relaxing classical music on the clarsach (Scottish harp). Suitable for the general public, older people in care homes and those living with dementia. Sunday 5th April, 5pm.
Rosemary Macklin, staff member at Walter and Joan Gray Care Home, Scalloway, Shetland:
“The people in our home always enjoy hearing music and it’s such a lovely idea to have these online concerts. You can’t come to us in person but we are very happy that you come to us over the ether! Thank you Live Music Now Scotland for making this happen.”
Rebecca Sinclair, Activities Coordinator at Arran View Care Home, Saltcoats, North Ayrshire:
“Music makes such a big difference to the people in our home and I know that they are going to get a lot of enjoyment from the online concerts. Whenever we have music in our home it brings a lot of happiness and it’s great to see residents interacting and singing along. I am so glad that we won’t have to miss out on music concerts in the next few months and it’s brilliant that you can do this. Thank you to Live Music Now for bringing your concerts to us.”
Carol Main, Director, Live Music Now Scotland:
“During these uncertain times, Live Music Now Scotland musicians continue to do what they do best – connecting with people of all ages and circumstances through sharing the joy and pleasure of music, but now straight from their own homes to online audiences who are at home too. The musicians’ engaging personalities and presentational style (with optional audience participation!) ensure that the power of music remains part of our everyday lives”
Over and above the Together at Home concert series, Live Music Now Scotland has adapted its ongoing series of Training Sessions for the artists on its roster to include mentoring, teaching and peer to peer learning of new digital skills and online performances.
To donate to Live Music Now Scotland, please visit our Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/livemusicnowscotland
Find more info on the Live Music Now website, or follow Live Music Now Scotland on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
