The Scottish Music Academy

I've been busy developing a trad flute course for The Scottish Music Academy, teaching some great tunes and exploring technique and musical ideas along the way. The first two lessons are available now, with more to come over the next month. All flute players are very welcome to get involved, and there’s a special focus on ornamentation and style for those who play Boehm system instruments.

For more information and to subscribe, visit The Scottish Music Academy website, where you’ll find lessons from lots of amazing musicians and tutors.

Rachel Newton - To The Awe

My good friend Rachel Newton released her new album on 6th November. It’s called To The Awe and is available HERE.

I really enjoyed working on the backing vocals for these songs and it was a treat to be part of the team alongside Mattie Foulds, Lauren MacColl and Mikey Owers. The whole album was recorded remotely during lockdown, which brought some welcome creative focus at a very strange time…

Tune Commissions

I am really pleased to offer the opportunity to commission a newly-written tune: as a gift for friends or family, to treat yourself or to mark a special occasion.

Your tune will be printed on high quality paper, signed and posted to you and can include a personalised message or dedication.

Feel free to get in touch via the contact page for pricing. We can discuss different tune types and options for accompanying recordings. You can also let me know what you would like to call your tune!

Recent composition projects

Currently developing new work with circus artists and folk musicians in collaboration with performance-maker Ellie Dubois

Residential Creative Exchange for Chamber Music Scotland (Hospitalfield, Arbroath)

Pulling Inward (commission from Auricle Ensemble)

Navigate The Blood (commission from NOISe, with Admiral Fallow, Gareth Williams and Sian Evans)

Backbone Of Our Land (commission from Folkworks, with Peter Brewis, Bella Hardy, Dan Rogers, Kim Moore, Andrew McMillan and Degna Stone)

Woven (commission from Celtic Connections)

Summer 2019

This summer I’ll be packing the wellies for Timber Festival, Doune The Rabbit Hole, Deershed Festival, Underneath The Stars and Moseley Folk Festival with You Tell Me. Head over to the gig page for more information and tickets.

I’m looking forward to spending some time in Durham as part of the tutor team at the Folkworks Junior Summer School; always a very special week of friendship and music-making.

I’m also very pleased to have been invited to take part in an Enterprise Music Scotland Creative Exchange in the beautiful surroundings of Hospitalfield, Arbroath. I’ve heard so much about this place and am intrigued to see what transpires…

Navigate The Blood - an opera by Admiral Fallow & Gareth Williams

Now for something completely different!

In partnership with NOISe, Admiral Fallow have made an opera! Navigate The Blood is a new work co-written with composer Gareth Williams and librettist Sian Evans. We’ve been working away on it for some months now and are about to embark on the final week of rehearsals, before touring begins on 2nd November. The Glasgow performances are sold out, but you can catch us at a number of unusual venues (mostly distilleries…) around Scotland until the end of November.

NTB tour flyer