Red Note Ensemble
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Scotland's New Music Ensemble Red Note Ensemble is Scotland’s contemporary music ensemble. https://youtu.be/CKx2Xdstz9Y
We develop, perform, present and find new audiences for new music within Scotland, the UK and internationally. The ensemble was founded in 2008 by Scottish cellist Robert Irvine, and is directed by John Harris (Chief Executive and Artistic Co-Director) and Robert Irvine (Artistic Co-Director). The Ensemble performs the established classics of contemporary music, commissions new music, develops the
Earth Day
Our work often begins with listening — to landscapes, ecosystems, and the shifting rhythms of the natural world.
Projects like Almanac reflect on these changes through sound, performance and collaboration.
Today is a reminder of the environments we’re part of, and the responsibility we share.
21/04/2026
We’re delighted to welcome two new members to the Red Note Board.
Please join us in welcoming Peter Nelson as Chair of the Board, and Katie Rawson as Trustee in Training.
Peter brings a remarkable breadth of experience across contemporary music, research, technology and cultural leadership, alongside a long-standing commitment to new music in Scotland.
Katie joins with a passion for accessibility, representation and community music, and brings a valuable emerging voice to the board.
We’re excited to have them both with us as we look ahead.
ALMANAC: Part 1 (Emergence)
Boat of Garten, June 2026
The first chapter of Thomas Butler’s Almanac marks the emergence of dragonflies and damselflies as they transition from water to air.
Combining live performance and field recordings, Emergence traces this moment of transformation through sound, image and movement. Shaped by ecological research and set within the landscape that inspires it, the work invites audiences to experience this fragile and vital process up close.
The performance includes a guided visit to observe dragonflies and damselflies in partnership with RSPB, followed by a Q&A with composer Thomas Butler.
The Almanac cycle is kindly supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation.
ALMANAC
A new cycle of performances marking events in the natural world.
Part One emerging in June 2026.
ALMANAC is a new large-scale project by Thomas Butler, using contemporary musical performance to mark annual events in the natural world. Across four immersive works presented in locations across Scotland, the project brings together ensemble, voice, electronics and field recording to explore ecological cycles, seasonal change, and the disruption of natural rhythms in a time of climate crisis.
24/03/2026
Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland & Red Note present five new works for classical guitar.
Performed by Sasha Savaloni
Continuing our partnership with RCS Composition, Red Note presents an informal sharing of five new solo works for classical guitar by student composers from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Developed over the past few months in collaboration with Sasha Savaloni, these new pieces explore the creative possibilities of the instrument and will also be recorded as part of the project.
Join us on Monday 20 April, 1pm at the Scottish Music Centre, Glasgow.
Free entry. No ticket required.
19/03/2026
Double your impact. Invest in new music that includes everyone.
FLOW is a new musical work co-created with people living with dementia and their carers.
Rather than adapting familiar repertoire, we’re collaborating to create something entirely new, shaped by participants’ ideas, memories and responses. This builds on our award-winning co-creation work and a simple belief: inclusion and artistic ambition belong together.
From 17–24 March, every donation will be doubled through the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign.
DONATION LINK IN BIO
New music. Made together. Doubled in impact.
17/03/2026
Invest in new music that includes everyone.
FLOW is a new musical work co-created with people living with dementia and their carers.
Rather than adapting familiar repertoire, we’re collaborating over time to compose something entirely new, shaped by participants’ ideas, memories and responses. It builds on our previous award-winning co-creation projects and continues a simple belief: inclusion and artistic ambition belong together.
From 17–24 March, donations to FLOW will be doubled through the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign.
Double the difference.
> Visit: BigGive.org
Noisy Nights is back.
Shake off winter and tune in to bold, unpredictable, never-before-heard music. Noisy Nights champions fresh sounds and emerging voices, bringing composers, performers and curious listeners together in an informal space where anything can happen.
Ruth (flute), Cerys (bassoon) and Sasha (classical guitar) perform eight brand-new five-minute works, selected from the open call:
Colin Riley ‘Rollick’
Jamie Mackenzie ‘gluasadan’
Darlene Zarabozo ‘you deserve good things’
Colin Donati ‘Reckless (fragment)’
Scott Wearing ’Three Responses’
Abbey Felton ‘running joke’
Daniel Abrahams ’The Road to Applecross’
Craig Morrison ’The Sound of Wood’
Got an idea of your own? Jump into the 10-Minute Composer Challenge. Sketch it on the night and our musicians might bring it to life before the evening’s out.
And it’s completely free - Link in bio for tickets.
Drygate, Glasgow
Monday 23 February
7:30pm
FREE – booking essential
WhatsonGlasgow
Red Note is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
11/02/2026
Thank you Perth for being with us for Deconstructing Pierrot.
What a night, bold sounds and a brave audience.
Huge thanks to Laura Bowler, director Sam Redway and our phenomenal players, and everyone who filled the room with curiosity and energy.
Pierrot has now left the building.
Noisy Nights is back.
Shake off winter and tune in to bold, unpredictable, never-before-heard music. Noisy Nights champions fresh sounds and emerging voices, bringing composers, performers and curious listeners together in an informal space where anything can happen.
Ruth (flute), Cerys (bassoon) and Sasha (classical guitar) perform up to eight brand-new five-minute works, selected from the open call.
Got an idea of your own? Jump into the 10-Minute Composer Challenge. Sketch it on the night and our musicians might bring it to life before the evening’s out.
Yes, it’s a Monday. Yes, it’s February.
And it’s completely free - Link in bio for tickets.
Drygate, Glasgow
Monday 23 February
7:30pm
FREE – booking essential
WhatsonGlasgow
Red Note is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Address
1 Summerhall Place
Edinburgh
EH91PL