This summer Live Music Now Scotland was delighted to announce the next stage in an ongoing collaboration with Skye Chamber Music: a residency for LMNS musician Sophie Rocks. The collaboration offers free access to high-quality classical music throughout communities on the Isle of Skye through a diverse range of performances. As part of this series of creative practice residencies, Sophie spent nine days on the picturesque island in early June, sharing her music at local schools and the wider community. The residency included participatory performances at Broadford and Portree primary schools and Home Farm Care Home, as well as outreach activity on the neighbouring island of Raasay. Sophie’s stay on the island culminated with a concert for Skye Chamber Music in St Columba’s Church in Portree.
Sophie was very excited about performing to different communities across the island including an evening concert in Portree: “I had the best time playing for all of the children at the primary schools in Portree and Broadford – so lovely to play for such enthusiastic and energetic kids who seemed to love the Harp as much as I do!”
The collaboration between LMNS and Skye Chamber Music has already provided a vital programme of musical outreach for island communities. This has included blind pianist, Ethan Loch, a member of LMNS’ Pathways programme for artists who face barriers in their performing practice. Ethan shared his wonderful talent with pupils at local Gaelic Primary School, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Phort Righ, earlier this January. Then in March, Portree audiences were treated to a spellbinding showcase from accordionist Alena Bulatetskaya and classical guitarist, Jacopo Lazzaretti as part of Skye Chamber Music, with both musicians also winning lots of high fives from primary school children and their staff in Staffin, Carbost, Dunvegan and Skeabost. It is thanks to funding from Chamber Music Scotland, alongside Live Music Now Scotland and Skye Chamber Music, that this project is possible.
