For over twenty years, Hands Up for Trad’s Distil project has been pioneering creative development for traditional musicians across Scotland. Through residential workshops, mentoring, and collaboration with leading ensembles like Mr McFall’s Chamber, Distil has empowered hundreds of musicians to develop compositional confidence and improvisational skills, creating new works that bridge traditional and contemporary music.
We’re delighted to introduce a new chapter in the Distil story: the Distil Meet-Up Series. These intimate mini-workshops will take place at the Scottish Music Centre in Glasgow, offering an opportunity for both Distil alumni and musicians interested in composition and improvisation to learn from leading practitioners in the field.
What to Expect
Each meet-up runs from 2pm to 4pm and is free to attend. These sessions are designed as both learning opportunities and informal discussions, where you can engage with expert workshop leaders and connect with fellow musicians. Whether you’re looking to develop specific skills, explore new approaches to your practice, or simply want to be part of the conversation around composition and improvisation in Scottish music, these sessions are for you.
Tea and coffee will be available throughout, creating a relaxed atmosphere for both formal learning and informal networking.
Our Workshop Leaders
18th September 2025 – Stuart MacRae (Composition)
Stuart MacRae is an award-winning Scottish composer whose work explores themes of humanity in/as nature, the use of language through the singing voice, and mythology. His music brings emotion to the fore, and spans a wide variety of genres, including opera, instrumental, vocal and electroacoustic music.
19th February 2026 – Raymond MacDonald (Improvisation)
Professor Raymond MacDonald is a founder member of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, a large improvising ensemble of around 20 musicians from diverse artistic backgrounds ranging from free improvisation, jazz, classical, folk, pop, and experimental musics to performance art.
18th June 2026 – Shiori Usui (Composition)
Originally from Japan, Shiori Usui is a BBC Proms commissioned composer and improviser based in Scotland. The Times newspaper described her as a composer with “entirely individual ears” after the successful premiere of the piece “Liya-pyuwa” for piano quintet at Wigmore Hall, London. Shiori has produced works in radical instrumental music, and has worked with motion capturing sensors and biophysical technology. Many of her compositions are inspired by the sounds of the human body, the deep sea, and many other weird and wonderful organisms living on Earth.
Who Should Attend?
These sessions are perfect for:
- Musicians who have participated in previous Distil programmes
- Professional and semi-professional musicians interested in developing composition skills
- Musicians exploring improvisation in their practice
- Anyone curious about contemporary approaches to traditional music
Booking Information
Places are limited to ensure an intimate, focused environment. To book your place click on the links above or for more information, please contact us here.
We look forward to seeing you at the Scottish Music Centre for what promises to be an inspiring series of conversations about the future of composition and improvisation in Scottish music.
The Distil Meet-Up Series is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the creative development of traditional musicians at all stages of their careers. Hands Up for Trad are funding by Creative Scotland.
Follow these topics: Distil, News, Newsletter