Community & Education

Get Involved

There are many ways to be part of the Borders Music Festival

Education & Outreach

Inspiring the Next Generation

Education and community engagement are central to the Borders Music Festival. In 2026 we and our partners are working with schools and young musicians across the Borders through a series of workshops and other immersive projects.

SNJO Big Band Session

Jazz ยท Workshop

SNJO Big Band Session

Tuesday 15th September ยท Peebles High School ยท 10:00

The Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra leads a high-energy big band workshop for young musicians at Peebles High School.

Find out more →
SCO Immerse Project

Orchestral ยท Immersive

SCO Immerse Project

Tuesday 15th September ยท Galashiels Acadamy ยท All day

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's acclaimed Immerse project - a full day of creative music-making with young people from schools across the Borders.

Find out more →
Primary Schools Singing Workshop

Choral ยท Workshop

Primary Schools Singing Workshop

Friday 18th September ยท St Mary's School ยท 10:00

80 primary school children from across the Borders in a singing workshop led by members of The Sixteen.

Find out more →
SCO VIBE Showcase

Orchestral ยท Showcase

SCO VIBE Showcase

Sunday 20th September ยท Galashiels Academy ยท 14:00

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's VIBE project comes to Galashiels Academy for a high-energy showcase performance. Open to the public โ€” free entry.

Find out more →

Schools & Educational Partnerships

If you represent a school or educational organisation in the Scottish Borders and would like to explore a partnership with the Borders Music Festival, we'd love to hear from you. We're always looking for new ways to bring music to young people across the region. Get in touch →

Borders Music Festival 2026

Emerging Artists

The Borders Music Festival is proud to present five outstanding young Scottish soloists as part of our Emerging Artists programme. Performing alongside the Borders Chamber Orchestra in the Come and Sing โ€” Mozart Requiem on Saturday 12th September, these talented musicians represent the very best of the next generation of Scottish classical singing.

Katie Carmichael

Katie Carmichael

Soprano

Click to read biography

Katie Carmichael

Soprano

Scottish soprano Katie Carmichael recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with her MMus in Vocal Performance, studying with Elizabeth McCormack. This year she joins the Rising Stars of Voice programme at the Edinburgh International Festival and is a young artist on British Youth Opera's Serena Fenwick Programme in collaboration with Garsington Opera. Recent performances include Bruckner Mass in D Minor, Mahler Symphony No.4, Mozart Requiem and Poulenc Gloria. Stage credits include Pamina in Die Zauberflรถte and performances at Garsington Opera.

Click to close

Caitlin Mackenzie

Caitlin Mackenzie

Mezzo-soprano

Click to read biography

Caitlin Mackenzie

Mezzo-soprano

Isle of Lewis born mezzo-soprano Caitlin Mackenzie is a recent graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she completed her MMus studies with Elizabeth McCormack. A Samling Artist and keen oratorio soloist, her recent performances include Mozart Requiem, Bruckner Mass in D Minor, Handel Messiah and Karl Jenkins The Armed Man. Stage credits include Auntie in Peter Grimes with British Youth Opera and performances with the Scottish Opera Chorus at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Click to close

Austin Smith

Austin Smith

Tenor

Click to read biography

Austin Smith

Tenor

Austin graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BMus (Hons) in Vocal Performance in 2025 and is currently studying for his Master's degree. During his postgraduate studies, he has performed in opera scenes including Idomeneo, Fidelio, and Die Fledermaus. An accomplished choral singer, Austin has performed with the National Youth Choir of Scotland and represented the RCS on an international performance tour of China in April 2026.

Click to close

Timi Bimbo-Adeola

Timi Bimbo-Adeola

Bass-baritone

Click to read biography

Timi Bimbo-Adeola

Bass-baritone

Nigerian bass-baritone Timi Bimbo-Adeola is in his third year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He won first prize in the Hugh S Robertson Prize for Scottish Singing and made his operatic debut with the RSNO in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges. Currently an academy singer at the National Opera Studio, Timi has performed as bass soloist with the RSNO and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and was selected for coaching from Sir Bryn Terfel.

Click to close

Alex White

Alex White

Bass

Click to read biography

Alex White

Bass

Bass Alex White is in his final year of BMus Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying under Professor Stephen Robertson. He has performed operatic roles including L'Arbre in L'Enfant et les Sortilรจges with the RSNO. An accomplished soloist with Glasgow Bach Cantata Project, Alex brings extensive choral experience across UK cathedral choirs and maintains active interest in chamber music, performing with the Dunedin Consort and Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus.

Click to close

Come and Sing

Signature Event

Come and Sing - Mozart Requiem

One of the festival's most loved events - a joyful, inclusive performance of Mozart Requiem open to singers of all abilities. No audition required, just a love of singing.

Rehearsals take place on Saturday 12th September from 13:45, with a full performance at 18:30 with the Borders Chamber Orchestra at Melrose Parish Church. Whether you're an experienced choral singer or a complete beginner, you are warmly welcome.

Bring your own score or hire one at the event (ยฃ5 per score). Space is limited โ€” register your interest and we'll confirm participation with full details.

Register your interest →

Join the Festival Community

๐Ÿค

Volunteer

Help make the festival happen. We rely on a wonderful team of volunteers to support events, front-of-house, and administration throughout the festival week.

Find out more →
๐Ÿซ

Education

We work with schools and young musicians across the Scottish Borders through workshops and immersive projects. If you'd like to explore a partnership or bring students to a festival event, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact us →
๐Ÿ“‹

Join the Board

We welcome expressions of interest from people who would like to join the Borders Music Festival board of trustees and help shape the festival's future.

Find out more →
๐Ÿ’ผ

Sponsor or Fund

Business sponsorship and philanthropic funding play a vital role in making the festival possible. We'd welcome a conversation about how we can work together.

Explore opportunities →
โค๏ธ

Become a Patron or Friend

Support the festival as an individual Patron or Friend and enjoy exclusive benefits while helping us bring world-class music to the Borders.

Find out more →

Support the Festival

Become a Patron
or Friend

The Borders Music Festival is a registered Scottish charity. Your support helps us bring world-class music to the Borders, keep events free for young people, and grow the festival year on year.

Patron
ยฃ2,500
per year
Friend
ยฃ25
per year
Support the Festival

Funded by

Baillie Gifford The Blackport Family The William Hill Trust Scottish Borders Council The Vinehill Trust The Turtleton Trust The Maple Trust The Henfrey Trust The Cruach Trust The Stevenson Trust, Langholm

Partners & Supporters

The SCO The Hugo Burge Foundation SBS Instrumental Music Service

Stay in the Loop

Be the first to hear about programme announcements, ticket releases and festival news.

Name