Musicians Day School

We hold Musicians Day Schools every two years in Bristol. The aim is to give local musicians a chance to learn about playing for Scottish Country Dancing from an experienced professional. These Day Schools are usually in November on the same day as a Dancers Day School. In the evening we hold a dance when the Day School musicians have a chance to play for a Scottish Country Dance. The tunes for the evening will be practised during the day. The sheet music for the Day School is made available to musicians when they book.

This year’s Musicians Day School will be held on Saturday 15 November 2025 at Oatley Hall, St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 3TN. Please note this change of venue. The cost is £30 (or £15 for students), plus £5 for the tea if required. Tea and coffee will be provided during the day. Lunch is not included; you may bring your own lunch to eat in the hall. A list of local eating places can be provided. 

Musicians from all musical backgrounds are welcome to join the course; a minimum of ABRSM Grade 4 (or equivalent playing experience) is suggested. Percussionists need to be experienced Scottish dance music players.

Registration 9:30am With tea or coffee
Workshops 10:15am to 12:30pm
2:00pm to 4:30pm
Tea 4:30pm to 6:00pm A light meal, £5, at Newman Hall, 28 Grange Ct Rd, 
Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4DR
Evening Dance, as detailed below 6:30pm to 9:30pm At St Monica’s, Oatley Hall, St Monica Trust, Cote Lane
Henleaze, Bristol BS9 3TN

 

The workshops will focus on playing excellent music for Scottish Country Dancing. When your booking is confirmed you will receive the password for the Day School Music page. Click on the button below and enter the password. It will be very helpful if participants could familiarise themselves with the notes before the day so that workshop time can be spent developing the performance style rather than sightreading.

Please bring:-

  • a music stand for the Day School;
  • a colourful blouse or shirt for the evening dance;
  • a dark skirt or trousers or a kilt if preferred for the evening dance.

The tutor for this year’s Day School will be Ian Muir of Prestwick. Ian is a senior tutor at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. He has his own band, the Ian Muir Scottish Dance Band that was the Alba Scottish Dance Band of the year in 2010/11.

He has crafted his talents from a boy of 8 years old and became a professional musician at the age of sixteen.

His music has taken him to the four corners of the UK and indeed globally to the USA, Middle East as well as all over Europe.

Ian is best known for his Ceilidh dance music but is equally at home performing solo in concerts and with other members of his band playing for Scottish Country dancing.

Application Form

To apply, please complete the form below. Shortly after you click on Submit, an email will be sent to you with the details of your application, how to pay and how much.

The Day School Dance

Ian Muir & the Day School Band

Saturday 15 November 2025
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Oatley Hall, St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Henleaze, Bristol. BS9 3TN
Dance Programme
Crib via rscdsbristol.info/whats-on/
For alternative cribs, diagrams and videos
my.strathspey.org/dd/list/53643/
All dances to be recapped or walked once.

Light refreshments provided in the break. Dress Informal

THE RAVEN’S DANCE J32 3/4
SWISS LASSIE R32 3/4
MISS CATHERINE ANN S32 3/3
QUARRIES’ JIG J32 3/4
THE RECUMBENT STONE R48 5/5
AULD FRIEND’S MEET S32 3/4
CHOPPED NUTS AND CHOCOLATE SWIRLS J32 3/3
THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX R40 3/4
ST ANDREW’S FAIR J32 3/4
MAXWELL’S RANT R32 3/4
SLYTHERIN HOUSE S32 3/4
THE DANCING MASTER J96 4Sq
THE MINISTER ON THE LOCH S32 3/3
MRS MACPHERSON OF INVERAN R32 3/4

Contact Us

Secretary: info@rscdsbristol.info
Tickets: tickets@rscdsbristol.info

 Charity Number: 1059608

Where we dance

We dance at St Monica's, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 3TN on a Thursday evening.