National Centre for Music plans take leap forward with new chair

Ambitions to establish Scotland’s “national beacon for music” have taken a step forward with the appointment of chair CAROL MAIN.

The planned National Centre for Music, to be based in Edinburgh’s transformed former Royal High School building, is promoting Main from a role on the board of trustees she has held since 2023.

Main is the founding director of Yehudi Menuhin’s charity Live Music Now Scotland, and has served on boards at Creative Scotland, the Association of British Orchestras, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

She was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2015 and made a fellow of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2023.

She steps up to the role as the National Centre for Music continues its initial work on the redevelopment, which is slated for completion in 2027.

Main said: “To be appointed chair of the board charged with governance of such an exciting venture is a huge privilege and honour.

“As a culmination of what I have strived to do throughout my career in music in Scotland, I shall endeavour to encourage and support all those involved with the National Centre for Music in enabling a broad mix of people to come together with spirits lifted and lives enhanced through the best possible experiences of music in this extraordinary new setting.”

JENNY JAMISON, chief executive and creative director of the National Centre for Music, said Main’s “guidance and knowledge” had been “invaluable in the initial planning stages” of the organisation.

“Her connections across Scotland and within international musical communities run deep and having her officially in place as chair to help further shape our direction is a huge boost in this founding phase,” she added.