Congratulations to Rhona Smith who has been nominated in Composer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025. Vote now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 6th December in Aberdeen Music Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Rhona the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I am a composer and electronic harpest with Cerebal Palsy. My love of traditional music stems from family holidays spent on the Shetland Islands where I could be found ceilidh dancing in my wheelchair in the local halls. From then I always wanted to play a traditional music instrument and met Catrina McKay who ignited a love of the Harp, but given my cerebral palsy, I had to be inventive on how I was going to make that happen. I connected with Drake Music Scotland back in 1998 which helped me realise my dream of playing the harp. I use a combination of software ( Ableton Live, Presonus Notion) and hardware ( switches) to play, and compose music with the help of Ali Gillies. My inspiration tends to come from the quieter scenes in Scottish nature. Although I primarily compose for traditional instruments, I like to leverage the power of my electronic instrument to occasionally take those sounds into strange and impossible sounding places.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
My traditional music journey started when Pete Sparks (Drake Music Scotland)introduced me to Amy Moar and we founded Equilibrium, a collection of 6 young Woman with a shared passion for Scottish music, we played a mix of traditional and electronic instruments. Unfortunately after the passing of one of our musician’s Equilibrium dwindled. Thanks to Simon Thourmire (Hands Up for Trad) we have rekindled the essence of Equilibrium and are moving towards duets between traditional instrument and disabled digital instrument players which was the foundation that Equilibrium was built on. My love for the Harp, particularly the Clarsach, lends itself beautifully to Scottish traditional music.
Any particular career highlights?
Some of my career highlights are Performing in Celtic Connections. The achievement of composing “Shetland Journey” for Mr McFalls Chamber Orchestra described as the “Jewel in the Scottish music crown”. I was honoured to be given the opportunity to perform this piece with them at the Distil Showcase in 2017, that same evening I was presented with the Hands Up for Trad Inaugural Inspiration Award. Performing at the ISSME conference and being on stage with my ICON Phil Cunningham is an inspirational highlight of my career. Back in 2018 I was invited to perform with Digital Orchestra out in Singapore at the True Colour festival. A festival celebrating the talent of disabled artists, being able to Champion for disabled performers on a world stage was a huge privilege. Performing with the Hebrides Ensemble particularly a piece I played with Will Conway called “Ocean of Stars” composed by Sarah Leanne Lewis. The intimacy of performing with Will is an experience I will forever treasure.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to release an EP (or perhaps an album) of my favourite past collaborations, mainly using my own compositions with the addition of one or two new potential collaborations.
Following from the Distil Residential I would like to continue develop my compositional skills to a more refined level.
https://youtu.be/-Wx-pC0BfMg?si=OwVh4DAZJUSGFCk_
The 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 6th December 2025 in Aberdeen Music Hall! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer o the Year Ellie Beaton and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.