Threatened music group on record high

A MUSIC group in Edinburgh is accepting record numbers of students, a year on from losing its main source of funding.

The Scots Music Group, based at Shandwick Place, said it had moved on from last year's financial blow with a range of new projects.

The future seemed bleak when the Scottish Arts Council pulled its funding in March last year. However, group leader Clare Anderson said as well as more students than ever attending its courses, its new website was also receiving unprecedented interest.

Funds from the Inspire Project have also boosted prospects.

"We're delighted to have been successful in obtaining funding for the Inspire Project, which follows on from a very well-received pilot project we ran earlier in the year," she said. "Securing this funding will allow us further to develop the programme, through which we aim to encourage people who are socially excluded to participate in traditional music and its wider community.

"It's worth pointing out that this is ring-fenced project funding. The continuing success of our core activities still owes much to the fantastic ongoing support we receive from our members, volunteers, tutors and staff."