The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's five-year residency in Craigmillar has left an indelible mark on both the community and the orchestra, challenging traditional notions of music and performance.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s five-year residency in Edinburgh’s Craigmillar district has not only enriched the local community but also marked a fundamental shift for the orchestra itself. This ambitious project, which concluded in March, involved over 23,000 participants across nearly 1,000 eventsshowcasing the orchestra’s commitment to community engagement and musical innovation.
The residency, which began in 2026was more than just a series of performances. It was a quiet rebellion against traditional assumptions about who gets to make music and who belongs in a concert hall. Laura Baxter, the SCO’s Learning and Participation Director, described it as a challenge to the status quo, emphasizing the excellence of experience that the orchestra could provide.
Community Projects and School Initiatives
The residency unfolded in several interconnected strands, each designed to engage different segments of the community. The first half focused on community projects, including Seen and Heardan adult community choir, and Craigmillar Voicesanother choir set up by the SCO.
Additionally, the Reconnect project worked with individuals at early stages of dementia. The second half concentrated on school initiatives, from nursery to secondary education.
Castlebrae Community High School became a key partner, with the SCO setting up a community choir and seeing children who joined in primary schools continue their musical journey into secondary education. This created a thread of music running through the entire community.
The Seen and Heard Project: A Collaboration of Art and Music
One of the most enriching strands of the residency was Seen and Heardwhich brought together adults from across Craigmillar to create both artwork and music. Regular sessions were held at Craigmillar Nowa former church converted into an arts space in the heart of Fort Kinnaird shopping village. SCO Associate Composer Jay Capperauld played a pivotal role in this project, facilitating a conversation between art and music.
Capperauld’s role was not that of a traditional composer but rather a facilitatorlistening to the community’s aspirations and helping them express their creative ideas. The project spent its first couple of years building trust and relationships, culminating in a final performance that showcased the community’s hard work and artistic growth.
The Final Concert: Tapestry
The residency’s celebratory final concert, named Tapestrywas a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Craigmillar community and the SCO. The concert combined music created jointly by Craigmillar participants, Capperauld, and choral leader Moira Morrisonalong with a specially created film by artist Karolina Glusiec. Performers from both the Craigmillar community and the SCO came together to create a memorable and ambitious finale.
The joy and pride evident on the faces of the performers and audience members left a lasting impression on those involved. Baxter noted that the hard graft and dedication put into the concert were clearly visible, making it a highlight of the residency.
The Legacy of the Residency
With the residency officially over, the question arises: what next? Baxter explained that the SCO had been thinking about the exit strategy from about year three, ensuring that the project’s legacy would continue. Craigmillar Voices will continue under its own constitution and committee, and a similar path is expected for the choir at Castlebrae Community High School.
The relationship between the SCO and the Craigmillar community is far from over. Baxter described the residency as a friendshipone that continues even as the official project concludes. The SCO remains committed to supporting the community in various ways, ensuring that the bonds formed during the residency endure.
Looking ahead, the SCO plans to reflect on what has been achieved and consider future projects. While specific plans are not yet finalized, it is clear that Craigmillar will remain a part of the orchestra’s future endeavors. The residency has fundamentally changed the SCO, reinforcing its commitment to reaching across Scotland and engaging deeply with local communities.
