Red Note Ensemble

Red Note Ensemble is Scotland’s contemporary music ensemble, dedicated to developing and performing contemporary music to the highest standards, and taking new music out to audiences around and beyond Scotland.

Founded in 2008 by Scottish cellist Robert Irvine, Red Note Ensemble is co-directed by John Harris and Robert Irvine. and led by violinist Jackie Shave.

They perform established classics, commission new music and develop the work of emerging composers from around the world. Core to their work is finding interesting spaces and methods for engaging new audiences with a critically acclaimed programme of contemporary music.

The ensemble is renowned for their site-specific work and collaborations with other companies. Red Note’s work in 2016 included a Reels to Ragas tour of the Highlands and Islands with Indian tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, a new string quartet for invented instruments by François Sarhan, and a largescale co-production and tour of Europe with Antwerp based wind ensemble I Solisti.

Red Note is committed to the education sector with alliances including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, Glasgow University and the Woodend Barn in Banchory, near Aberdeen. They are particularly focused on developing the musical creativity of young people and raising performance and composition standards across higher education.

Fun Fact

Red Note’s ‘Noisy Nights’ series includes the 10 Minute Composer’s Challenge, which gives audience members the chance to compose a piece in 10 minutes, to be played by the ensemble after the interval.