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New Music Scotland

New Music Scotland fosters innovation in contemporary music, supporting artists and organizations to connect, collaborate, and engage with audiences. They focus on sustainability and the impact of music on climate awareness through events and gatherings.

New Music Scotland&#39;s annual sector gathering returns in 2026 in a new shape. Replacing the previous awards format, we&#39;re delighted to bring the sector together for a gathering and celebration of the people, organisations and ideas shaping new music in Scotland.&nbsp; This year&#39;s theme is environmental sustainability. We&#39;ll explore how the new music sector can reduce its own environmental impact, and how performance, sound and artistic practice can be used to engage audiences with the climate crisis. Expect guest speakers, panel discussion, hosted break-out groups, practical workshops and time to connect with peers from across the country. What to expect Friday 28 August, full day:&nbsp;The day will open with a panel discussion responding to a central provocation: What does the best case for new music look like ten years from now - bold work that engages with the climate, has a smaller environmental footprint, is fair in who gets to take part, and helps shape the wider conversation on climate? And what steps can we take now to get there? From there, we&#39;ll break into small groups to unpack more individual responses to that question, before regrouping for an open discussion and Q&amp;A where the room puts its thoughts and questions back to the panel. Panelists include: &nbsp;Karen Ridgewell, Sam Redway, Ben Twist and Lisa Robertson A short session on creative access follows, looking at how the sector can promote genuine access for everyone. The afternoon moves into themed discussions to dig deeper into more specific areas: <ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Making music - how environmental themes can inform and inspire new work, and how that music can promote wider change with Emily Doolittle, Alexander South and Lisa Robertson</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Environmental impact - practical steps the sector can take around mitigation, adaptation and a just transition with Sorcha Pringle, Kadri Soerunurk and Atzi Muramatsu</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Institutional context - how funders and institutional structures are approaching supporting environmental work within the sector with Chris Hutchings, Karen Ridgewell and Clare Hewitt</li></ul> Friday 28 August, evening: Bar opens at 1830, and we gather at the boardwalk to see folk and catch up, before two participatory music making sessions: Open Score with Simon Hellewell invites you to leave the conference behind for a while and explore a series of open score works by Scottish musicians. Participatory, text-prompted pieces designed for any instrument, open to anyone regardless of musical training. Bring an instrument if you have one; a few spares will be on hand. We Are All Improvisers with Raymond MacDonald closes the evening with large-ensemble free improvisation, exploring the links between improvisation and composition. No previous experience needed, all instruments, voices and sound-makers welcome, with the focus firmly on engagement, fun and accessibility.. Saturday 29 August, half day:&nbsp;On Saturday morning we&#39;ll gather in a more informal way - a chance to catch up with familiar faces, meet new ones, and carry on the conversations sparked the day before.&nbsp; Membership and ticket pricing NMS membership starts at &pound;10 a year for individuals, and unlocks the lowest ticket rates. Joining ahead of booking is the most affordable way to attend the full conference. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://newmusicscotland.co.uk/join/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Find out more about membership here.</a> Evening meal We&#39;re currently seeking additional sponsorship to provide an evening meal as part of the Friday celebration. There&#39;s a chance we may not be able to secure this. When you book, you&#39;ll be asked whether you&#39;d be willing to contribute an additional &pound;10&ndash;&pound;15 towards a meal on the night if sponsorship doesn&#39;t come through. If a meal isn&#39;t possible, there will be a longer break between the end of the conference day and the start of the evening celebration, giving attendees time to head out for food independently. Questions If you&rsquo;ve got any questions, please do drop us a line on info@newmusicscotland.co.uk

New Music Scotland

Past events

Past events

New Music Scotland 2026 Gathering and Celebration

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