We are pleased to announce the appointment of Morag Burnett as Scottish Ensemble’s new Chair of Trustees. Morag, who has a wealth of experience in the arts, is deeply committed to Scottish Ensemble’s drive to create exhilarating musical experiences, push the boundaries of classical music and forge connections with diverse audiences.
Morag has served as a trustee on our board for the past three years and succeeds Jeff Fergus as Chair. We are hugely grateful to Jeff for his tenure, a period which has seen us develop new digital initiatives including films featuring Philip Glass’s Symphony No.3 and Anna Meredith’s Tull; an expansion of our offer for families and schools with the award-winning in Sync (developed with MishMash Productions); and deepening and expanding our Music for Wellbeing programme.
Morag Burnett said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of Scottish Ensemble and proud to have the opportunity to contribute to SE’s future. Innovation and collaboration are in SE’s DNA and I can’t wait to help steer this trailblazing group’s next chapter.”
We asked Morag a few questions to find out more about her:
Describe a moment when you saw the impact that Scottish Ensemble has in action:
I came late to the Anno party and was blown away when I experienced it in 2022, as part of the Bridge Project. I was completely lost in the world created by the music and visuals in Tramway. Spell-binding.
What piece of music brings you joy and why?
This changes all the time! But at the moment, it’s boygenius and Not Strong Enough. It deserves all its Grammy nominations.
What early musical experience had a lasting impact on you?
I performed with the festival chorus at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival when I was a teenager. The adrenaline of singing with choirs from different countries to create a performance over a few days was amazing.
What is Scotland’s best hidden gem?
Rousay in Orkney is absolutely stunning – and the ferry back to the Mainland lands you near to Evie, which has some of the best pizza in Scotland.
If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to understand any language. I always wanted a Babel fish from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – but a superpower would be even better.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
This is easy! My dream dinner party is takeaway pizza and raucous board games at home with my family.
Read Morag’s biography here.