Multi-award-winning jazz pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie will kick off a concert series on Wednesday 3 June, co-presented by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and Scotland House, the Scottish Government office in London.
The Scotland House Sessions with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will introduce students and alumni from the RCS to audiences in the UK and internationally in three lunchtime performances.
Other performers in the series include Canadian classical guitarist Tim Beattie and Scottish opera singers Fiona Joice and Liam Bonthrone.
The concerts will be broadcast on RCS at Home, an online platform created by the RCS in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to connect students, staff, alumni and audiences while the RCS’s campus and performance venues are closed and students and staff working remotely. It broadcasts daily on social media channels and a dedicated website, showcasing work, ideas and performances to audiences worldwide.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said:
‘The Scottish Government has been a long-time supporter of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and we welcome the opportunity to showcase the talents of their students and alumni to audiences around the world. Arts and culture are incredibly important to wellbeing and especially so during these challenging times.
‘The Covid-19 pandemic has temporarily changed the way we live our lives and I’m delighted that Scotland House is partnering with RCS at Home to adapt to the new normal and support our artists through this excellent initiative.’
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said:
‘We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Scotland House to co-present this concert series which creates a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the exceptional young international musicians developing their skills and careers in Scotland.
‘The arts have a critical role to play in the lives of individuals and across wider society, now more than ever, and it’s our pleasure to be able to share the connecting power and joy of music from Scotland’s national conservatoire with audiences across the UK and internationally.’
The Scotland House Sessions
3 June, 1pm: Fergus McCreadie
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Fergus McCreadie released his debut album, Turas, in 2018, which won Album of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2019 and Best Album at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2019, following on from his Best Instrumentalist title at the 2018 awards. Fergus recently signed to record company, Edition, for the release of his second album, Cairn, due in early 2021.
17 June, 1pm: Fiona Joice and Liam Bonthrone
Glasgow born mezzo-soprano Fiona Joice and Perth tenor Liam Bonthrone are recent graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The duo will perform an eclectic mix of Scots, light classical and comedy songs.
1 July, 1pm: Tim Beattie
The Toronto-born classical guitarist is currently pursuing a Masters degree in music performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he is studying under the tutelage of Allan Neave and Matthew McAllister.
Header photo: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate, pianist Fergus McCreadie. Image © Robert McFadzean – RCS
