Championing
Scotland's Music.
Classical:NEXT 2026 Bursary Applications Open at 12pm 5th November
Classical: NEXT 2026, 8-11 April, Budapest, Hungary; Bursary Applications open 12pm 5th November
Classical: NEXT is the international networking and exchange hub dedicated to classical and art music and consists of a conference, project pitches, showcase concerts, trade fair, award and networking.
The Scottish Music Centre leads on Scotland's presence at the event and organises the Scotland stand at the Trade Fair, runs the delegate bursary programme, and supports and promotes our contemporary classical sector internationally.
Northern Connection at soundfestival Aberdeen 2025
Stephanie Lamprea (Soprano) and Alistair MacDonald (Electronics) perform at soundfestival Aberdeen 2025
Featuring a piece for voice and electronics by Alistair Macdonald, as well as the World Premiere of Finnish composer Asta Hyvärinen’s She, Miracle, a performative work for female voice and electronics commissioned as part of the Northern Connection partnership.
Scottish Music Centre are founding members of Northern Connection, which aims to sustainably connect Nordic countries and Scotland by establishing and strengthening liaisons between composers, ensembles and festivals of contemporary music in Finland, Norway, Scotland, Denmark and Iceland.
(Left to right: Asta Hyvärinen, Stephanie Lamprea & Alistair MacDonald. Photo: Chris Duncan)
ISCM World New Music Days 2026 Scottish Section Shortlist Announcement
We are delighted to announce that following a meeting of the ISCM Scottish Section selection panel last week, 6 works have been chosen to be submitted to the ISCM International Jury, and it is guaranteed that at least one of the six works submitted by ISCM Scottish Section will be included in the World Music Days Festival in Romania 2026.
The shortlisted composers are:
Chris Hutchings, Claire McCue, Louise Harris, Oliver Iredale Searle, Rūta Vitauskaitė and Silver Chamber
Find out more here
Launching Resound: Scotland’s Inclusive Music Collection
Sonic Bothy and the Scottish Music Centre (SMC) are developing a new digital archive collection to celebrate and document the works of Scotland-based contemporary Disabled music artists. Running from 2025 to 2028, the project will amplify the cultural contributions of Disabled artists, and embed inclusive practice within the Scottish music sector and beyond.
This project addresses the underrepresentation of Disabled artists within public collections and seeks to build a lasting legacy of visibility, advocacy and equity through a publicly available archive.
NOW RECRUITING: Freelance Researcher
We are seeking a freelance Researcher to carry out essential groundwork that will shape the scope, design and delivery of the Resound Scotland digital collection, which will be housed in the Scottish Music Centre’s archive.
Video showcase compiled & edited by Inner Ear
Scottish Music Centre at CLASSICAL NEXT 2025
Music industry delegates from across the globe gathered in Berlin for Classical:NEXT, the world’s largest international event for classical music professionals. Among them, the Scotland delegation set out to redefine what classical music means in the 21st century- offering a fresh, diverse and future-facing perspective on the global stage.
Scotland was represented at the prestigious showcase and conference alongside around 1,400 professionals from 49 countries. At the heart of this year’s presence was a delegation that reflects the full breadth of Scotland’s musical talent: emerging and established composers, boundary-pushing sound artists, seasoned programmers and inclusive community leaders.
Gill Maxwell, Executive Director of Scottish Music Centre said:
“Classical:NEXT stands as a key global platform for Scotland’s thriving contemporary classical music scene. It brings together a broad spectrum of talent- from boundary-pushing composers and experimental artists, to the curators and festival programmers shaping our cultural calendar year-round. It’s also a hub for forging new international collaborations and partnerships. My team and I are excited to lead the Scotland delegation in Berlin, championing the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that define our dynamic music sector today.”
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Amplified
Laura Leslie talks to Scottish composers about music that has influenced their lives, and they choose a selection of tracks which are important to them.
Buy music
We sell books, sheet music and sound recordings, either in physical format or as downloadable files.
MusicPlus Rising
MusicPlus Rising
Listen to new music released by past participants of MusicPlus, the free mentoring scheme run by the Scottish Music Centre and supported by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative, The Robertson Trust, and the Scottish Children’s Lottery.
Membership
Membership Benefits
Our membership schemes are open to anyone working in, or hailing from, Scotland.
Our Members
Our talented music industry members include Scottish-based composers and organisations.
IN TUNE
Join Keith Beattie as he interviews Scottish music Industry figures, composers and musicians speaking about their music and their interests.
Careers
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