At NESMS we offer more
A Family Atmosphere
At NESMS we believe that small is beautiful – that what matters is the quality of the teaching and the friendliness of the staff, not the size of the building. But we do have excellent, well-equipped studios and a fine music library.
Find Out MoreA Centre of Excellence
Acknowledged experts come on a regular basis from all over the British Isles to give one-to-one coaching and advice on technique and performance – and to provide occasional workshops and master-classes.
Find Out MoreA Chance to Perform
For those who want to develop the ability to deal confidently with an audience we provide numerous opportunities for performance both solo and/or ensemble, with suitable support from more experienced performers.
Find Out MoreA Scottish Charity
Through fundraising, generous donations and occasional local authority grants NESMS is able not only to subsidize student lesson fees, but also to offer competitive scholarships and hardship funding.
Find Out MoreOpen to All
Talented individuals of all ages can gain access to teaching of the highest calibre. As a charity we offer competitive scholarships, and a hardship fund for the disadvantaged.
Find Out MoreWe Need Your Support!
Continuing financial support is essential to maintain the high quality of our teaching programme, and we welcome enquiries about donations, sponsorship and scholarship funding – as well as Friends' membership.
Find Out MoreProud to be Sponsored by
What the Professionals Say
It is so important that people feel they can engage at any stage of their lives in the world of music ‐ and NESMS is the perfect place to do so.
Evelyn GlenniePatron
I know from my own experience that NESMS occupies a very special place in the musical life of the North East of Scotland.
Neil MackiePresident
Our aim is to provide promising musicians with the opportunity to benefit from expert tuition right here in the North East.
Barbara McFarlaneChairman
Funding and Governance
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.
President:
Prof. Neil Mackie CBE FRSE
Vice-President:
Dr Murray McLachlan FRSA
Chairman:
Barbara McFarlane
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.
Friends of NESMS
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.
Wider Links
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.
