Applications for 2026/27 auditions are open!
Deadline: 12pm, Thursday 5 November 2026
This page gives you an overview of the opportunity and what’s involved. For more detailed information, please download our Audition Information Pack.
Ready to apply? Go to the online application form.
what is live music now scotland?
Live Music Now Scotland is a national charity. We share high-quality live music with people and communities who may otherwise have limited access to it, while supporting emerging musicians at an early stage of their professional careers through paid performance opportunities, training, mentoring and ongoing professional development. We are not a promoter or booking agency.
Each year, LMNS delivers around 1,200 performances and workshops, reaching thousands of people across Scotland. A large part of our work takes place in settings such as care homes, hospitals, schools and community spaces. Our musicians learn to work with the people in the room — listening, responding and adapting their music and approach to create meaningful, shared musical experiences.
There are also opportunities to perform in public settings, in Scotland and internationally.
The work we offer is part of a nationwide programme with community and participatory performance at its core.
We therefore encourage anyone thinking about applying to get to know our work before auditioning. Explore our News & Stories to see the projects, performances, partnerships and communities our musicians are part of.
What do LMNS musicians do?
LMNS musicians typically remain on the LMNS programme for four years and work with people of all ages and backgrounds in a wide range of settings.
You might find yourself:
- Sharing music in a care home or hospital
- Working with children and young people
- Taking part in a community project or residency
- Working with people of all ages with additional support needs
- Performing in a museum, gallery, or at a festival
- Sharing music with people experiencing social isolation or other barriers to accessing live music
- Working with refugees, people seeking asylum and those who are newly arrived in Scotland.
See our work in action!
Could LMNS be for you?
We are looking for emerging musicians at an early stage of their professional careers who are at the right point to benefit from what LMNS offers.
You should:
- Perform to a high musical standard.
- Have an interest in using music to build connection, support communication and create meaningful shared experiences.
- Be excited to learn through training, mentoring, reflection and experience.
- Have availability for weekday daytime performances and training opportunities.
- Live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.
- Perform without backing tracks or a PA system.
We welcome applications from musicians working in all genres, including classical, Scottish, Gaelic and Irish traditional music, jazz, folk, pop, rock and other international musical traditions.
There is no age limit, and every application is considered on its own merits.
At present, we are not accepting applications from:
- Piano duos
- Solo vocalists performing without accompaniment
- Solo melodic instrumentalists performing without accompaniment (for example violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or bagpipes)
- DJs and electronic music performers whose work relies primarily on amplification, backing tracks or electronic production
LMNS is generally not suitable for:
- Musicians who are already well established in a professional performing career.
- Musicians who are primarily seeking paid work rather than development opportunities.
- Musicians who are not yet ready to make full use of the programme’s training and performance opportunities.
Applications from groups
We welcome applications from established ensembles of up to five musicians.
If applying as a group:
- The group must have fixed members. We are unable to accept groups with regularly changing or rotating personnel.
- The group should have an established repertoire of at least one hour in length.
- The group should have been performing together long enough to demonstrate musical cohesion and a shared artistic identity.
- Group members should be committed to continuing to work together throughout the programme.
The audition process is competitive so newly formed groups are unlikely to be successful, regardless of the experience of the individual members.
What do we offer?
Depending on your interests, skills and availability, you may take part in community and participatory music-making workshops, longer-term residencies, public performances, festivals and international music exchanges. You’ll also have opportunities to develop your skills through training, peer learning and mentoring, alongside practical career development and ongoing support from the LMNS team.
Our training and support will help you build experience, reflect on your practice and develop the skills and confidence to work across a range of settings. You’ll be part of a community of LMNS musicians, with opportunities to learn from and alongside other performers.
Our aim is to support musicians to build sustainable portfolio careers, with the skills, experience and support to develop their professional practice over time.
Our Audition Information Pack contains more detailed information about the opportunities, training and support available to LMNS musicians.
Important dates
Deadline is 12pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Before applying, please ensure you are available for:
Auditions (Glasgow)
You must be available to attend at least one of the following audition dates:
- Friday 29 January 2027
- Friday 5 February 2027
- Friday 12 February 2027
- Friday 19 February 2027
Compulsory Training (Glasgow)
If successful, you must attend both of the following training days:
- Wednesday 10 March 2027, 10am to 5pm
- Thursday 11 March 2027, 10am to 5pm
Attendance at both training days is a condition of joining the programme. Groups whose members are unable to attend both training dates will not be able to progress to joining the programme.
How does the audition process work?
The audition process has two stages: application and audition.
First, you’ll complete an online application form. The deadline is 12pm on Thursday 5 November 2026. Applications are reviewed by a panel and shortlisted applicants are then invited to audition in Glasgow. Not everyone who applies will be invited to audition.
The audition includes a 10-minute performance suitable for a community setting, followed by a short conversation with the panel about your music, experience and interest in LMNS.
There’s no audition fee, although shortlisted applicants are asked to pay a fully refundable £25 deposit to confirm their attendance. Travel and carer bursaries may also be available.
The Audition Information Pack contains full details of the application and audition process, including how applications are shortlisted, references, the refundable deposit, bursaries and what happens if you need to cancel or can’t attend.
Inclusive Audition Videos
In the video below, our CEO, Jude Anderson, talks a little bit more about Live Music Now Scotland, our audition process and what to expect if you apply.
A British Sign Language (BSL) version is also available. The BSL video is presented by LMNS musician Evie Waddell, a folksinger, contemporary dancer and HoH/deaf BSL performer from Stirlingshire.
Have a Question?
Have a question? Get in touch with a member of the team: info@livemusicnow.scot
FAQs
I work during the day time. Can I still apply?
Most LMNS performances take place on weekdays during the daytime. Any other commitments should allow you some availability during these times in order to be able to accept LMNS work.
Is there an age limit?
There is no upper or lower age limit. Generally, musicians tend to be in their early to mid-twenties when they join LMNS.
How much work will I be given?
The amount of work offered varies from musician to musician and depends on factors including your musical format, location, availability and the needs of the programme.
While we cannot guarantee a specific number of engagements, we aim to offer musicians a minimum of 12 paid performances or workshops each year where possible.
Musicians who are available for weekday daytime work, respond promptly to opportunities and engage actively with the programme are typically offered more work. Opportunities are more limited for musicians based outside the Central Belt, depending on the location of projects and performances.
How much do we get paid?
Fees vary depending on the length and type of performance. These are reviewed annually in order to ensure that they are in accordance with MU/professional bodies’ guidelines.
I am still a student. Can I apply?
Yes. However, we encourage musicians to apply at a point when they are able to make the most of the opportunities LMNS offers. In most cases, this is at the start of a professional performing career, when there is greater capacity to engage with training, mentoring and performance opportunities.
I am a Tier 4 visa holder. Can I apply?
Yes. Tier 4 visa holders should consult their sponsoring higher education institutions for guidance on employment and external engagements. You also need to consider whether you have time available to attend training and give performances on weekdays during the daytime, when most performances take place.
Will I need to apply for a Disclosure Scotland PVG check?
All musicians accepted on to the programme will undergo an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland PVG check to work with children and protected adults.