About Us

Current TMSA Projects

Homecoming Trad Music Sessions

Supported by Homecoming Scotland 2009 and organised by the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) - a programme of over 300 Scottish traditional music sessions across Scotland from March to November 2009.

The Homecoming Trad Music Sessions will:

enhance the Homecoming Experience for visitors and Scots at home
showcase the diverse regional music and song traditions of Scotland
cultivate widespread awareness and interest in traditional music and song
extend the number of venues hosting traditional music sessions and events

The TMSA are currently looking for venues and musicians who are interested in taking part in the Homecoming Trad Music Sessions. If you think you would like to be included in the project, please contact us.

TMSA Young Trad Tour 2009

The TMSA undertakes a national tour and cultural exchange programme with the talented young traditional musicians who appeared in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award 2008, along with the winner of the previous year and accompanist. The TMSA Young Trad Tour and Cultural Exchange Programme as part of our ongoing Development Plan, is an annual event. They both exemplify our commitment to promote and develop traditional music in all areas of Scotland and include young people in that remit. A CD is produced as part of the project each year, and is generally launched after a final concert at Celtic Connections in January.

TMSA Young Trad Tour 2009 line-up The BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Competition takes place during Celtic Connections Festival in January each year. The competition is organised by Hands Up For Trad (led by former TMSA director Simon Thoumire and Clare McLaughlin) and is a well-respected and successful showcase for young performers representing the breadth of Scotland’s musical and song traditions. Previous winners are now amongst the most successful young performers of Scottish traditional music both nationally and internationally; and this tour can assist the young musicians to make the step towards professional careers in traditional music. The TMSA Young Trad Tour and Cultural Exchange Programme has expanded each year. It includes significant professional development for the young musicians whilst acting as a flagship example to all of the strength and vibrancy of Scottish traditional music and song.

Each year, as well as the concerts, there are a range of six Cultural Exchanges where the young musicians have the opportunity both to get together with experienced tradition bearers and also to pass on their own experiences to school age children. The interaction with the local communities is an essential element in the tour and one which the TMSA has pioneered and supports wholeheartedly.

Line-up
Ruairidh MacMillan: Fiddle (2009 winner)
Daniel Thorpe: Fiddle
Lorne MacDougall: Pipes and whistles
Adam Holmes: Guitar and Song
Jack Smedley: Fiddle
Kenneth Nicholson: Gaelic song
Ewan Robertson: Guitar and Song (2008 winner)

Tour Dates
See Events page for details.

Tour Sponsors/Supporters
Scottish Arts Council
Stagecoach Group
Hands up for Trad