Edinburgh Pupils Join Royal Scottish National Orchestra for Christmas Brass Concert

Twenty pupils from the Council’s Instrumental Music Service (IMS) Senior Brass Ensemble, made up of young people from across Edinburgh secondary schools, put on a festive performance with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) Brass Quintet at Haymarket train station, on Friday 12 December.

The performance was the culmination of a three-month residency which involved RSNO’s world class musicians working alongside the school’s IMS teaching team to coach, encourage and develop skills in young brass instrumentalists from secondary schools across the city.

Over the course of the residency, the young people worked alongside members of the RSNO to rehearse for two performances – the first was at the Usher Hall on 3 December 2025 where the brass ensemble performed Tielman Susato’s Renaissance Dances. The second at Haymarket station, brought the residency to a close, while entertaining the general public with a selection of Christmas carols and festive tunes.

Musicians in the IMS Senior Brass Ensemble, and those who took part in the residency, included pupils from Drummond High School, Tynecastle High School, Trinity Academy, Boroughmuir High School, Balerno High School, James Gillespie’s High School, Leith Academy, Queensferry High School, St Augustine’s RC High School, Broughton High School, Firrhill High School and Craigmount High School.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor, said:

“We are committed to not only making music tuition accessible to a large number of learners in our schools, but also in nurturing and developing musical talent. Our residency with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is a great example of how we are doing this, bringing together world class musicians to join our instrumental music service team to inspire our talented young brass players.

“It is thanks to our team of dedicated instrumental teachers that children and young people have opportunities like this to perform and showcase their talents in such public forums.  I am sure that that the skills they have learned and the experiences they have had will stay with them for years to come, paving the way for future success. A sincere well done and thank you to all involved, including our Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, the RSNO – and of course to our talented young musicians.”

Andrew Stevenson, RSNO Director of Engagement, said:

“I am so pleased that we’re able to work so closely with Edinburgh City Council’s Instrumental Music Service. The IMS provide such invaluable teaching and support to young people across Scotland and it’s a real privilege to help bolster them in any way we can. Rounding out our residency with this free, public performance is a fantastic way to show off how brilliant these young people are and how important music education is, something we feel very passionately about at the RSNO.

“I’d also like to extend a big thanks to ScotRail, our principal travel partner, for their continued support.”

Carter, an S1 pupil at Balerno High School who took part in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra residency, said:

“I found the RSNO Brass side by side project inspirational and AMAZING, thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful experience.”

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