Founded in 1975 by Dorothy Hately, the North East of Scotland Music School is a Scottish charity based in Aberdeen.  Its aim is to provide, at the lowest possible cost, the highest possible standard of tuition for promising musicians.

NESMS operates as a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee.  Its income comes from student fees (heavily subsidized) and it actively seeks donations from trusts, commercial organisations and individuals, as well as applying for occasional local authority grants.  Supervision is provided by a widely drawn Council of Management, with specialist sub-committees to oversee fundraising and public relations, strategic planning, teaching and performance standards, and administration.
 

NESMS has an active Friends group.  Friends commit to organise, help with and attend money-raising activities and concerts, and where posible to support pupils and provide performance opportunities.  Some Friends also offer to accommodate visiting tutors.

Many different skills and backgrounds can be brought to assist the group and a close knowledge of music is not required and new Friends are always welcome.

There is a close relationship with the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Music School in Dyce.  Many of our pupils are involved in the Grampian Youth Orchestra, the Aberdeen and North East of Scotland Music Festival, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS), and NYCoS (the National Youth Choir of Scotland). We are an examination centre for ABRSM and Trinity, and are frequently used for NYOS, NYCoS and GYOS auditions.