Make Music Day calls on Scottish musicians to perform Auld Lang Syne
Grassroots music festival, Make Music Day, is calling on Scottish musicians to join together in a celebratory performance of one of Scotland's must popular and enduring folk songs.
Article Source: Make Music Day
Last Updated: 27 May 2020 9:46
Make Music Day is a grassroots yet global music festival. It takes place every year on 21st June, which is the summer solstice. The festival was originally launched in France in 1982, as Fête de la Musique, and its popularity continues to grow organically. Musicians from all over the world will be participating this year in a celebration which spans 1,000 participating cities, and over 120 countries.
Unlike traditional music festivals, Make Music Day is an open invitation which is extended to everyone; to make music anywhere and everywhere. In these times of social distancing, music has a unique power to bring us together as a community.
So whilst physical public gatherings understandably are likely to remain prohibited for a while, we can stay connected by filming our music making endeavours on camera phones, and sharing online, enabling performances to be enjoyed by audiences all over the world, as part of the global Make Music Day event.
In response to the assembly challenges created by Covid-19, Make Music Day UK, supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland has launched the Auld Lang Syne Digital Participation project.
The project invites musicians and singers of all ages, skill levels, and musical persuasions to join together in a celebratory performance of one of Scotland’s must popular and enduring folk songs.
Alison Reeves, the Scotland Development Project Manager for Make Music Day UK says: “Make Music Day UK has been developing the presence of this global festival which recurs on the 21st June each year since 2017, and we decided early on in lockdown to divert all our efforts into supporting people to take part online.
“There has been a huge outpouring of Scottish music making on social media over the past months, and the Auld Lang Syne project will capture the wealth and diversity of people playing and singing together from their own homes. The song is sung across the world and the message of friendship is perfect for celebrating how music connects us across our community, nationally and globally.”
This classic Scottish song takes on a new poignancy in these times of social distancing, as it acknowledges the importance of friendship and human connection. The song is renowned the world over, yet remains quintessentially Scottish. With lyrics written by Robert Burns, ‘For Auld Lang Syne’ is loosely translated as ‘For the Sake of Old Times’.
Make Music Day UK has commissioned internationally acclaimed Scottish musician and composer Hamish Napier and in-demand drummer Cat Myers to create a special arrangement of this traditional folk song for the project.
Hamish Napier commented: “The lockdown has kept so many apart, but this project has been created to bring us together. It was exciting to be asked to create this new arrangement of one of Scotland’s most famous songs. I’ve been singing it for as long as I can remember at ceilidhs, weddings and other public gatherings. It only has 5 chords in it: G, A minor, C, D and E minor. You can join in by singing, playing the melody, the chords, drums or bass line. Or get the pots and pans out, dance or juggle. The most important things is to enjoy getting involved, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the song come to life in the final project video.”
Full details can be found how to participate on the Make Music Day UK website, where the sheet music, lyrics and recording tips on how best to film performances are all available as downloadable resources.
Like all Make Music Day projects, there is no participation fee, and no expensive video recording equipment is needed to take part, as most camera phones will be suitable. The project is now live, with the deadline for submissions being 5:00pm on Friday 5 June.
The video submissions will be stitched together to create a musical collage, which will be premiered on the Make Music Day UK website and social channels, on Sunday 21 June, and it will be part of the global Make Music Day Live Stream. Performers are encouraged to share their video performance to their own social channels on Make Music Day, tagging #MakeMusicDayScotland and #MakeMusicDayUK
The invitation to participate is not limited to those enjoy singing, or have access to musical instruments. The project welcome contributions from people playing home-made instruments too, and includes links to Bash The Trash’s environmental art project, which provides direction in how to create fun instruments from found objects!
Full information on the Auld Lang Syne Project can be found here:
https://makemusicday.co.uk/auld-lang-syne/
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Doddie Beir kicks off at Aldi in supermarket exclusive ahead of Six Nations Championship
The special-edition craft beer from Cold Town Beer raises vital funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, supporting its mission to find a cure for MND.
READ MORE
Return to Middle Earth as The Lord of The Rings Trilogy celebrates its 25th anniversary at Vue
One of the most iconic and beloved fantasy trilogies of all time, The Lord of The Rings, is returning to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
READ MORE
Young people at HMP & YOI Polmont crown top dog in Stirling
Young people at HMP & YOI Polmont crown ‘Captain Chaos’ Layton as Stirling’s top dog in Thistles’ photography competition
READ MORE
Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Stirling Visitor Levy Scheme approved
Stirling Council has approved a visitor levy scheme that will enable major new investment in the area’s tourism offering.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue
There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.
READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling announce Longlist for 2026 Stirling Business Awards
The Go Forth team has announced the longlist for the 2026 Stirling Business Awards as voting begins to choose the winners of the annual honours.
READ MORE
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Young Stirlingshire golfers follow in footsteps of Ryder Cup heroes
Two young golfers from Stirlingshire are aiming to make history in Portugal in December when they tee off in the 2025 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at Quinta do Lago.
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Bridge of Allan restaurant launches festive feast Take Home Christmas Box
The Meadowpark, one of Bridge of Allan’s most popular family restaurants, is bringing the magic of festive dining to homes around Stirling this Christmas.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
BID Launches Drop In Business Hour Session for Stirling Business Community
Go Forth Stirling has launched a new initiative for the city’s business community giving them the opportunity to consult with the BID team and other partners.
READ MORE
Residents and businesses invited to Forthside project drop in event
A drop-in session is being held on Friday (21 November) for local residents and businesses to learn more about the major redevelopment at Forthside.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links