RSNO SWAPS CONCERT HALL FOR EDINBURGH ZOO’S LEMUR LODGE Posted Wed 11 June 2025
Yesterday saw the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) swap its usual concert hall stage for Edinburgh Zoo’s Lemur Lodge in partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
Playing for 120 local primary pupils across two free shows, the Orchestra performed music inspired by oceans and the natural world including Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Sir Henry Wood’s Jack’s the Lad (Hornpipe) from Fantasia on British Sea Songs and Kevin Stannard’s Consider the Penguin. The children were given free access to Edinburgh Zoo following the performances as part of RZSS’s education programme.
These concerts were part of the RSNO’s current National Schools Concert Programme Sounds of the Deep: A Musical Adventure. Since the beginning of 2025, the programme has engaged over 22,000 school children across Scotland, from the Shetland Islands to Dumfries and Galloway, and aims to connect Scotland’s young people with their National Orchestra and begin a lifelong musical journey.
Free Sounds of the Deep digital learning resources are available for schools online. For more information on how to access visit: www.rsno.org.uk/sounds-of-the-deep.
The RSNO is grateful to its benefactors and patrons who support its Engagement work. Sounds of the Deep is supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Endowments Trust, Alexander Moncur Charitable Trust, Balgay Children’s Society, Castansa Trust, Cookie Matheson Charitable Trust, David and June Gordon Memorial Trust, Educational Institute of Scotland, Forteviot Charitable Trust, Gaelic Language Promotion Trust, The Gannochy Trust, Glasgow City Council, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, Leach Family Trust, Leisure and Culture Dundee, Leng Charitable Trust, The McGlashan Charitable Trust, MEB Charitable Trust, Nancie Massey Charitable Trust, Northwood Charitable Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Q Charitable Trust, Scott Davidson Charitable Trust, ScotRail, Stevenston Charitable Trust, Tay Charitable Trust, Tillyloss Trust, Walter Craig Charitable Trust, Walter Scott Giving Group, William S Phillips Fund.