{"id":24514,"date":"2025-06-11T15:17:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/?p=24514"},"modified":"2026-01-22T11:45:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T11:45:46","slug":"introducing-the-distil-meet-up-series-2025-2026-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/introducing-the-distil-meet-up-series-2025-2026-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Distil Meet-Up Series 2025\/2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Holding<\/a><\/figure>\n

For over twenty years, Hands Up for Trad\u2019s Distil project has been pioneering creative development for traditional musicians across Scotland. Through residential workshops, mentoring, and collaboration with leading ensembles like Mr McFall\u2019s Chamber, Distil has empowered hundreds of musicians to develop compositional confidence and improvisational skills, creating new works that bridge traditional and contemporary music.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re delighted to introduce a new chapter in the Distil story: the\u00a0Distil Meet-Up Series<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

What to Expect<\/h2>\n

Each meet-up runs from\u00a02pm to 4pm<\/strong>\u00a0and is\u00a0free to attend<\/strong>. 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Tea and coffee will be available throughout, creating a relaxed atmosphere for both formal learning and informal networking.<\/p>\n

Our Workshop Leaders<\/h2>\n

18th September 2025 \u2013 Stuart MacRae (Composition)<\/a><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Book your place here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

19th February 2026 \u2013 Una McGlone (Improvisation)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Una MacGlone 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. An adaptable and creative double bassist, Una performs across different genres and artistic disciplines, using improvisation as a tool for devising music and collaboration. She has an international profile as an improvisation teacher, having given workshops, performed and lectured across Europe and North America.<\/p>\n

Book your place here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

18th June 2026 \u2013 Shiori Usui (Composition)<\/a><\/h3>\n

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 \u201centirely individual ears\u201d after the successful premiere of the piece \u201cLiya-pyuwa\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Book your place here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Who Should Attend?<\/h2>\n

These sessions are perfect for:<\/p>\n