Since 1974, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra has been one of Scotland's five national performing companies, performing across Scotland, internationally and online. Known for its world-class performances, new commissions and creative collaborations, the SCO also works with communities through concerts, workshops and learning programmes.
We wanted to understand the organisation behind that work: the people, partnerships and planning that help bring music to communities across Scotland.
Ailsa Dent, Senior Philanthropy Manager at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, shared how all of those pieces come together to bring the organisation's mission to life: transforming and enhancing lives through the power of music.
Behind every concert are months, and often years, of planning. International artist schedules, long-term programming, venue bookings, touring logistics, marketing, fundraising and learning programmes all have to come together before the music reaches an audience.
That work allows the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to do what Ailsa describes as "bringing music to the people of Scotland."
Bringing music to communities
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's main season runs from September to May, with performances across Scotland.
Through programmes such as Big Ears, Little Ears, babies hear live orchestral music for the first time. Dementia-friendly performances create shared experiences for people living with dementia, their families and carers. Musicians perform in hospitals, museums and community venues, while free tickets for under-18s and dedicated student offers help remove barriers for people discovering live orchestral music for the first time.
Accessibility sits at the heart of the organisation's work. As Ailsa explains: "We want to break down the barriers to attending live music concerts and make the orchestra something that is for everybody."
Music, she says later in our conversation, is something people turn to "not just in the best parts of their lives, but also for support." That belief runs through every programme, whether it's a baby's first encounter with a live orchestra or a dementia-friendly performance bringing families together through music.
The organisation behind the Orchestra
When Ailsa tells people where she works, one question comes up time and again.
"What do you play?"
It's a question that reflects how most of us picture an orchestra.
Behind every concert is a team of 27 people making each performance possible, from programming and fundraising to production, partnerships and community engagement.
Some programmes begin taking shape two or three years in advance. International soloists are booked around demanding travel schedules. Concert weeks move quickly, with rehearsals followed by performances in Edinburgh, Glasgow and other venues before the orchestra moves on to an entirely different programme the following week.
"What might surprise people is the speed at which we are moving from one programme to the next," Ailsa says.
While the audience is applauding one programme, planning for the next is already underway
Moments that stay with people
For Ailsa, the measure of a successful concert isn't found in the programme notes. It's at the exit doors.
"The sign of a great night is standing at the door saying goodbye to everybody as they're leaving and people just can't stop talking about it."
Sometimes that's after a well-loved piece. Sometimes it's after something completely unexpected.
One performance that has stayed with her featured music by Schnittke, a composer unfamiliar to many in the audience.
It was a risk, but it became one of the concerts people talked about long after they had left the hall.
"People don't just want to hear things that they know. People do also like to be challenged."
That willingness to surprise audiences sits alongside an equally strong commitment to making people feel welcome, whether they're lifelong concertgoers or walking into an orchestra performance for the very first time.
Partnerships that make it possible
None of this happens without support. Public funding, charitable trusts, individual donors and business partners all contribute to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's ability to perform, tour and deliver learning and participation programmes.
Ailsa describes many of the orchestra's supporters as "part of the family", reflecting the close relationships built over many years with people and organisations that believe in its work.
"Partnerships like that are crucial to Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The support that Grant McGregor and our other business partners are giving to us allows us to do all of these things that the orchestra does."
At Grant McGregor, we choose to support organisations whose work strengthens our communities.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's impact reaches far beyond the concert hall. Through performances, learning programmes and community engagement, it connects people with music at every stage of life.
We believe the strongest partnerships are driven by a shared commitment to making Scotland a better place to live, work, learn and connect.
