Classical music in the city
Classical music in the city
Glasgow is home to Scotland’s national orchestra, one of the world's top performing arts schools, and several iconic venues. The city is brimming with talent, here's where you can find it.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is one of the world’s best performing arts schools. It’s no surprise that the RCS has an outstanding and varied programme of music. Students perform regular concerts alongside leading classical stars such as violinist Nicola Benedetti.
If you prefer afternoon events, you can enjoy concerts at RCS each Monday and Friday at 1pm. Visit rcs.ac.uk for event listings.
City Halls
Praised for its excellent sound quality, City Halls is a hive of activity. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) performs here on Thursday evenings. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs most Fridays. This beautiful venue also hosts concerts by Scottish Ensemble, a cutting-edge string orchestra. Visit glasgowlife.org.uk/whats-on/ for more details.
Each Spring the BBC SSO presents Tectonics, a festival of new and experimental music. Visit tectonicsfestival.com for festival information.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS)
Being one of the top 3 places to study performing arts in the world, it’s no surprise that the RCS has an outstanding and varied programme of music. As well as regular performances from students, you can also see stars such as Nicola Benedetti and BBC Radio 3 recordings.
If you prefer a relaxing afternoon concert, pop along on Mondays and Fridays at 1pm. Visit rcs.ac.uk for full listings.
The University of Glasgow
Listen to classical music in the beautiful surroundings of Glasgow’s oldest university. Afternoon and evening concerts happen throughout the school year. The university showcases a wide range of musical styles and artists. Expect to see established Scottish musicians as well as emerging young talent. While many University of Glasgow events are free, booking is recommended. Visit gla.ac.uk for more info.
Secret venues in Glasgow
For something a bit different, Fever presents concerts by candlelight. Concerts take place in Glasgow’s iconic venues including Òran Mór and the historic Merchants House. Hear performances of Chopin, Vivaldi or classical tributes to Taylor Swift and ABBA. Visit feverup.com to see what’s on.
Did you know that Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music makes it one of 13 UNESCO sites in Scotland? In a world first Scotland's UNESCO sites have been brought together to form a trail - discover more about each of these 13 wonders and the UNESCO trail at visitscotland.com.
Article last updated: January 2024
