Red Note Ensemble
is a Scottish-based professional music ensemble, dedicated to developing and performing contemporary music to the highest standards, and taking the music out to audiences around and beyond Scotland.

We were founded in 2008 by Scottish cellist Robert Irvine, and we are directed by John Harris (Chief Executive) and Robert Irvine (Artistic Director).

We perform the established classics of contemporary music; we commission new music; we develop the work of new and emerging composers from around the world; and we work hard in new spaces to find new audiences. Our performing ensemble is drawn from the deep talent pool of Scottish new music expertise, and we count amongst our players some of the very finest performers working in the UK today.

Red Note made its debut in May 2008 with a recording of Eddie McGuire’s Carrochan suite for Delphian records, and since then ensemble has rapidly gained profile and support.

We aim to tour Scotland twice each year, in the Spring and Autumn, and we run a regular new music series showcasing the work of new composers (Noisy Nights and What Happened) bi-monthly in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We also work to develop the work of new composers, particularly at Glasgow University and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

We are delighted to have been appointed Contemporary Ensemble-in-Residence at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow in 2009 for a three-year period, and Associate Company of the Traverse Theatre from January 2010.