Our Impact in the 2010s

Musicians of Digital Orchestra and National Youth Orchestras of Scotland

As we begin the new decade, we’re having a look at what we’ve achieved over the past ten years.  Here are a just a few of our highlights…

Launching Scotland’s first disabled youth orchestra

Beginning with a 3 member group in 2012 and growing to a quartet in 2013 and ensemble in 2014, Drake Music Scotland launched Scotland’s first disabled youth orchestra, the Digital Orchestra, in 2016.  With subsequent performances in Singapore and Norway, the Orchestra has quickly become one of the world’s leading disabled ensembles.  In 2019, members of the Orchestra partnered with disabled musicians in Norway and Finland to create the Universal Orchestra which will perform in Helsinki in July 2020.

Creating a new network for disabled composers and musicians

With support from the PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development Partnership, we created a new Scotland-wide network to promote disabled composers and musicians.  Since 2017, the network has lead to our first commission of disabled composers Clare Johnston and Ben Lunn and created high quality performances such as Diversions at Edinburgh Queen’s Hall which featured the work of 9 disabled composers.

Figurenotes

Drake Music Scotland created software for the inclusive music notation system Figurenotes in 2010 which over the decade has benefited over 15,000 learners.  Figurenotes is a simple coloured shape matching system which makes it easy to read music and learn to play instruments such as the keyboard and guitar.  Our software has won the Music Teacher UK “Best Special Educational Needs Resource” award.

Scotland’s only inclusive Music Technology course

In 2010, Drake Music Scotland launched a new partnership with Edinburgh College which has helped over 60 school leavers with learning difficulties gain accredited qualifications in Music Technology (SCQF Level 5-6).

Amazing collabs!

Over the decade, we have worked with some of Scotland’s leading musicians, composers and organisations including National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Ian Peaston, Aidan O’Rourke, Oliver Searle, Childrens Classic Concerts & RSNO

Lots of Awards!

SCVO Scottish Charity of the Year 2019

BASCA British Composer Award

Music Teacher UK “Best Special Educational Needs Resource”

SCVO Scottish Charity Awards “Demonstrating Digital”

New Music Scotland Best Education/ Community Project

Distil Hands Up for Trad – Landmark Award