Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
Article Source: Scottish Ensemble
Last Updated: 11 November 2025 12:06
Exploring the power of music to lift the spirit, bring people together and enhance wellbeing, Scottish Ensemble takes audiences on a bold adventure with new projects and collaborations and the return of the ever-popular Concerts for a Summer’s Night.
This March, a quartet of Scottish Ensemble musicians tour intimate spaces across Scotland with Between Light and Shadow (8-14 March, St Andrews, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dumfries, Perth) in performances of emotional contrasts, bold imagination, and luminous soundscapes. Mozart’s radiant Spring Quartet, brimming with optimism and glowing with warmth, is heard alongside two of Caroline Shaw’s Essays that shimmer with sonic texture and emotional nuance. The second part of the programme plunges us into the brooding and introspective music of Beethoven. From stormy drama to moments of sublime beauty, this quartet is Beethoven at his most emotionally raw and visceral.
Scottish Ensemble’s much-loved Concerts for a Summer’s Night return in 2026 (16-20 June, Strathpeffer, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow), filling five beautiful light-filled spaces across Scotland with music perfect for long, sun-drenched evenings. From Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence to Prokofiev’s Visions Fugitives, with vibrant works by Bryce Dessner and Oliver Leith along the way, it’s a heady, colourful programme that will leave audiences inspired, and ready to savour every note of summer.
Further afield Scottish Ensemble performs Impulse: Music in Motion at the University of Oxford’s brand-new Schwarzman Centre, during its opening weekend. Playing from memory, the musicians are unleashed through choreographed movement, devised in collaboration with choreographer Örjan Andersson. Impulse will also tour to Norfolk and Germany later in 2026.
Music for Wellbeing continues to be a focus of Scottish Ensemble’s work. Workshops combine live music with guided listening and techniques to help people find a moment of calm, combat stress and anxiety, and lift their mood. Since 2017, Scottish Ensemble has developed its Music for Wellbeing programme in partnership with Maggie’s, a charity that supports people whose lives have been affected by cancer, including patients, families and medical professionals. Musicians visit Maggie’s centres offering live music experiences designed to nurture connection and mental wellbeing.
Speaking about a recent Scottish Ensemble visit Lorrie Cameron, Centre Head at Maggie’s Lanarkshire, said: “What an experience! Taking time to just be immersed in the music was like nothing else. I could feel the vibrations and really experience the sounds in a way I’ve never done before. Watching the musicians play was like watching a dance. Just pure joy!”
Scottish Ensemble and Maggie’s enter a new phase of their collaboration with the announcement that Scottish Ensemble will be Maggie’s Music for Wellbeing Partner. This enhanced commitment will see Scottish Ensemble musicians visit all eight Maggie’s centres in Scotland three times a year, doubling current provision and ensuring that people in the Highlands and Aberdeen can access the same uplifting experiences as those in Edinburgh or Dundee.
Scottish Ensemble’s Chief Executive, James Hardie said: “At Scottish Ensemble we’re fiercely passionate about the power of music to lift the spirit, bring people together, and enhance wellbeing. Our Music for Wellbeing programme is a vital part of our work serving communities across Scotland, and for many years now Maggie’s has been a hugely valued partner. It feels incredibly exciting to be entering a new phase of our collaboration on the eve of Maggie’s 30th anniversary, and to continue sharing the unique magic that music can bring with even more people across Scotland.”
Maggie’s Induction and Development Lead, Andrew Anderson said: “Maggie's is delighted to be working with the incredible Scottish Ensemble as Music for Wellbeing partner. Visitors to all of our Scottish centres are able to benefit from this brilliant programme. The musicians along with Maggie's teams create such a wonderful experience of mindfulness with music. People taking part really value these inspiring sessions.”
Scottish Ensemble's Music for Wellbeing programme is made possible with the generous support of funders, including Glasgow City Council Communities Fund, The Northwood Charitable Trust, The Gannochy Trust, The McGlashan Charitable Trust and The Bridge Awards.
For full details of performances during spring and summer 20226 visit scottishensemble.co.uk/whats-on/
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Renfrewshire and Ayrshire and Arran Lieutenancies host Together at Christmas Community Carol Service
This year, Renfrewshire along with Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Ayrshire will join communities across the UK in hosting a 'Together at Christmas' Community Carol Service in Paisley Abbey.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
Work to start on six play parks across Renfrewshire
Investment in Renfrewshire's play parks continues with work set to begin on a further six play parks.
READ MORE
Unique approach of Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of young people in Paisley
The unique legacy of globally-renowned Paisley designer and artist Dr Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of creative talent, her proud home community says.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Winter Connections programme returns to support communities across Renfrewshire
A brand-new programme of free fun activities and events returns with Renfrewshire’s praised Winter Connections.
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
New civic plaza and events space to be created in Erskine
A new civic plaza, garden and events space will be created in Erskine to provide a focal point for the local community.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre announces partnership to support local community
The partnership is calling on the local community to donate new children's pyjamas, ensuring every child in Renfrewshire has something cosy to unwrap this Christmas.
READ MORE
Erskine lights up for Christmas
Erskine's Christmas lights have been switched on for 2025 with locals turning out to enjoy the occasion!
READ MORE
Johnstone shines bright this festive season
Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
A celebration of Art Deco to open at The Art Department Paisley
Deco 2025, an exhibition celebrating the decorative arts, will take place in The Art Department's new home from Tuesday 2nd December until Saturday 20th December.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Renfrew lights up for Christmas
Crowds turned out in Renfrew town centre on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2025!
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
New active play facility to be created in Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley
Renfrewshire will have a brand-new active play for all ages in the heart of the town after a contract was awarded to create the new facility in the Lagoon Leisure Centre.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire tourist spot set to benefit from investment
A popular tourist spot in Renfrewshire is set to benefit as more than £700,000 is invested in a new cycle hub, information kiosk, public toilets and landscaping improvements.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire towns to light up for Christmas
Towns across Renfrewshire will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights are due to be switched on over the coming weeks.
READ MORE
Thousands turn out for the annual Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On event
Crowds headed to Paisley town centre to mark the beginning of the festive season at the town's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event.
READ MORE
Can you give a pair of PJs this Christmas
Fresh new pyjamas are a Christmas essential, and Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron is looking for your help to make sure every child feels cosy and warm this Christmas.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links