The True North Orchestra (TNO) is a new Scottish orchestra consisting of musicians specially chosen for their affinity to, and interest in, the Scottish traditional idiom as well as for their excellent musicianship.
The makeup of the orchestra is similar to a standard chamber orchestra, with the addition of three sets of lowland pipes (doubling on Highland pipes and whistle), a concertina and a clarsach.
Children of Alba with Kathleen McInness and the True North Orchestra. Composed by Jim Sutherland, words by Aonghas Macneacail
The brass section
This is a truly integrated orchestra – classically trained string players sit side by side with folk musicians to encourage the kind of musical cross-fertilisation that makes the True North Orchestra utterly unique.
Director, Jim Sutherland initially created the TNO to perform his score for ‘The Gathering’, Edinburgh Castle 2009. Other highlights include Celtic Connections Opening Gala, Glasgow 2010 and collaborations with Kathleen McIness, Grammy-nominated Maura O’Connell, Galician piping superstar Carlos Nunez.
The TNO draws on a rich talent pool of the finest musicians from all over Scotland, including prominent members of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, (BBC SSO) Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO), Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO), and the orchestra of Scottish Ballet, combined with top musicians from the traditional music world.
“Something exciting is happening in Scotland.”
Carlos Nunez
The great higland bagpipes
