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SCO NEWS
Proposal for a new home for Your Orchestra
––––––The charitable trust IMPACT Scotland and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) have developed a proposal to create a new world-class arts centre in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
The proposal is to build a facility in St Andrew Square which would be the new home of the SCO, as well as a venue for education, conferences and public engagement.
The centrepiece is a 1,000 seat auditorium, as well as a studio providing rehearsal, recital and recording space to rival the best in Europe. The new building will be immediately behind Dundas House at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. The historic Royal Bank of Scotland branch will continue to operate as a stand-alone branch.
The auditorium would meet the long-recognised need for a purpose-built, midsized performance venue in Edinburgh, combining excellent acoustics with access for all forms of popular music, jazz, folk, chamber and other small classical music groups as well as solo and song recitals and small dance ensembles.
Colin Buchan, Chairman of the SCO, said: “With this wonderful support from the SCO’s long-term supporter, Dunard Fund, this project provides a fantastic opportunity for the SCO to provide an open, welcoming and unforgettable audience experience in a muchneeded mid-sized performance venue with stunning acoustics in the heart of Edinburgh. Not only will it provide our internationally renowned orchestra with a splendid new home, it will also enable the SCO to reach out in ways that have not been possible in the past.”
INTRODUCING... BENJAMIN MARQUISE GILMORE AS OUR NEW LEADER
––––––We are delighted to announce that acclaimed violinist Benjamin Marquise Gilmore has been appointed as the Orchestra’s new Leader, a job he is sharing with Stephanie Gonley.
Benjamin has led the Orchestra on several occasions over the past few months and quickly made an incredible impression on SCO players and audiences alike. Our Assistant Leader, Ruth Crouch, commented: “Ben is a fantastic violinist, as many of our audience will have heard in his recent solos in Strauss’ Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. He has a natural sense of style in varied repertoire, from playing Mozart on gut strings to the challenging extended techniques and rhythms of Martin Suckling.” On his appointment Benjamin adds: “From the first time I played with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra I felt an immediate rapport, both musically and personally, and it’s grown stronger ever since. I very much admire the Orchestra’s approach to music-making, combining a strong sense of unity and cohesion with an openness to new ideas and the flexibility to go in different directions. I’ve had some wonderful concerts with the SCO already and look forward to many more in the coming years.”
At the age of ten Benjamin won a scholarship to study with Natalia Boyarskaya at the Yehudi Menuhin School. In 2005 he went to study at the Vienna Conservatory with Pavel Vernikov and Julian Rachlin, graduating in 2010. Since then, he has made a career as a renowned soloist and chamber musician performing in many of the world’s great concert halls, including at Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Wigmore Hall (London) and the Brahms Saal (Vienna), collaborating with artists including Elisabeth Leonskaja, Elisso Virsaladze, Kolja Blacher and Gerhard Schulz. Benjamin has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) since 2011 and will continue to share his time with both the COE and the SCO.
SCO Chief Executive Gavin Reid extends a warm welcome to our new Leader: “Ben is a remarkable musician and an exceptional violinist. These qualities, combined with his naturally inclusive leadership style, make him absolutely the right person to lead the SCO. With Ben and Stephanie the SCO have two quite fantastic leaders.”
Benjamin Marquise Gilmore
MARIE CURIE COLLECTION
––––––A huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously to Marie Curie at our New Year in Vienna concerts this year. Together, you raised a whopping £6,964.90! All the volunteer nurses are extremely grateful for your support.
EUROPE 2017
––––––At the end of January, Robin Ticciati and the Orchestra will take their SCO Season programme of Mozart, Haydn and Dvořák on a whistle-stop tour of Europe. The soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto K467 will be the legendary Maria João Pires, a much-loved visitor to SCO.
Starting with a concert in Salzburg’s historic Mozarteum, the tour moves to the South of France, with a return visit to Aix’s Grand Théâtre de Provence where SCO last appeared at the 2015 Easter Festival. Then by train to Paris, for the Orchestra’s first appearance, at the Théâtre des ChampsElysées since 1981! The next concerts will be in Toulouse’s Halle aux Grains, the scene of several memorable SCO/Ticciati appearances in recent years, and Pamplona’s contemporary Baluarte Auditorium. Returning to Northern Europe for the conclusion of the tour, we finish with concerts at two fabulous modern halls – the Philharmonie, Luxembourg and De Doelen, Rotterdam.
––––––Our European tour runs from 31 January until 8 February.
CONNECT LATEST
––––––SCO Connect celebrated the turn of the year as part of the family-
WIN £250
250 SOCIETY Please join us in congratulating recent winners of our 250 Society draw who each won £250.
September – Dorothy Mowbray October – Geoff Lewis November – Jane Borland December – Alistair Horn
It costs just £5 a month to become a member of the SCO’s 250 Society and be in with a chance of winning a monthly prize of £250. All proceeds go towards helping to fund the work of SCO Connect. To join, simply download the SCO 250 Society membership form at www.sco.org.uk/support-us or contact Adam James on 0131 478 8344. friendly Sprogmanay programme at the National Museum of Scotland, with live performances, workshops and opportunities for children to try out our multicoloured instrument collection.
In January and February, SCO musicians visit venues across Perth and Edinburgh for a series of fun-filled workshops based on the music and story of Stan and Mabel, the SCO Family Concert 2017.
As Orchestra-in-Residence at the University of St Andrews, we are delighted to support the newly formed Children’s Orchestra. Conducted by Gillian Craig, the orchestra gave their first public performance at the StAFCO (St Andrews and Fife Community Orchestra) Winter Concert and SCO musicians are looking forward to their first coaching sessions with members of the orchestra in February.
Meanwhile, SCO residencies at primary schools in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh and Rattray, Perthshire, have entered their second year, with pupils taking part in weekly creative workshops with Matilda Brown (composer) and teams of SCO musicians. “Their involvement in this type of open, creative activity helps children who don’t have the vocabulary to develop in more conventional ways, and
Congratulations to Jane and Richard
it means they can contribute and communicate more, and consequently feel more valued, which in turn makes them more engaged in school life”. Teacher, Rattray Primary School.
“The children have really become a lot more focused in class since this project and are working together more. Those that are quiet in the classroom really come out of their shells through the music .” Teacher, Canal View Primary School, Wester Hailes.
In December, Professor Raymond Holden from the Royal Academy of Music led a fascinating Explore Day on Richard Strauss, featuring excerpts from the Horn Concertos performed by Alec Frank-Gemmill. “Informative, fascinating and packed with insights.” (Participant, December 2016). JANE ATKINS GETS MARRIED
––––––Congratulations and best wishes to SCO Principal Viola Jane Atkins who married partner and frequent SCO Viola player Richard Nelson on Saturday 3 December. The ceremony took place on the beach at Crear with their children Liam, Eloise, Benjamin and close family friends present.
WINNERS OF THE NOEA SCOTLAND TRIBUTE AWARD 2016!
––––––At an Awards Ceremony in Bath on 24 November 2016, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra was awarded the National Outdoor Event Association (NOEA) Scotland Tribute Award for The Virgin Money Fireworks Concert, which was on 29 August 2016 in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh. The judges described the Fireworks Concert, which is produced by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and promoted by the Edinburgh International Festival as “simply outstanding”.
Speaking from the Awards Ceremony, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Concerts & Projects Manager Tammo Schuelke said, “The Virgin Money Fireworks Concert is artistically exceptional and as innovative and progressive now as it was 35 years ago when this annual event started. We are indebted to our many partners who help
