Links to selected CHROMA projects:

SHETLAND BLUES
SHETLAND 2026: BIGTON & FAIR ISLE

Feedback from Shetland Blues August 2026
The children of Fair Isle Primary School could not have enjoyed their week with the CHROMA ensemble any more. It was a fabulous week full of music making, composition and art creation. The energy, knowledge and passion from the ensemble meant the children were enthused from the very first session, carrying this energy all the way through the week in everything they did.
To see each child take part in composing their own piece of blues music was fantastic to see, with so many expressive arts skills honed and developed in the process. The afternoon art complemented the music in a way that brought the project to life even further, from cyanotype to watercolor to simply the freedom to express yourself through the paintbrush.
The planning and preparation behind the project was evident. What was fascinating to observe was how the musicians involved our children in the editing process, allowing them to feed back on how their pieces sounded and make adjustments and tweaks. The musicians deserve huge credit for the thought that went into each element of the learning that saw children make so much progress and gain confidence. Taking their bows at the Saturday night concert captured this perfectly and I am certain the children will remember this experience for years to come (one child even asked for multiple copies of his composition the day after so he could send them to all his family members far and wide).
We cannot wait for more projects in the future and are absolutely thrilled the children have such an experience here in Fair Isle.
Jonathan Pye Principal Teacher Fair Isle School

Luca (11): “I had such a great time and all the CHROMA ensemble are lovely.” 

Ander (8): “I had so much fun because they have been making music with us and I loved composing.” 

Teddy (11): “It was a good experience and I would love to do it again and again and again.” 

Khalicee (6): “I enjoyed meeting the musicians because it was exciting to meet new people and I love music.” 

Hetty (6): “I love spending time with the ensemble because I love music and they were energetic and kind.”

ARMADA 1588
shetland 2023: BIGton, sandwick, dunrossness & fair isle

Bigton, SANDWICK, DUNROSSNESS

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to reconnect with our old friends CHROMA (we first worked with them in 2006) when they visited Bigton in September with a Spanish Armada themed project. The bairns loved taking part in the schools' workshops in Renaissance music and dancing. It was such a highlight to have Chroma join us at Bigton Band and for everyone to get the chance to listen to instruments that they rarely hear - and played so beautifully. The visitors really embraced the spirit of our 'open-to-all' group with energetic, fun and inclusive activities. It was such a memorable experience to improvise sections of Warlock’s “Mattechins” with them. They even had us all singing the Spanish song “Cabrillas Galopando” in 4 parts. The Bigton community turned out in force for the free gig in our new venue Hymhus, with Bigton Band joining CHROMA for the finale. It was the first time the venue had hosted an acoustic classical chamber group since we gained community ownership of the kirk and it was so special to hear the detail of all the instruments and appreciate the high level of musicianship, sensitivity and interplay between the performers. Special thanks to Claire for organising and for creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the workshops and the concert - the personal touch makes such a difference and helps to make classical music seem all the more accessible. CHROMA made a lasting impression and helped to motivate not just the bairns but the grown up tutors too! It was very much enjoyed by all and we hope they will come back again soon. “

Alice Ritch, co-founder, the Bigton Collective

“The bairns really enjoyed the day, and I cannot believe how it all came together. Two of my bairns are in the school, one was part of the musical group and one in the dance group. Both have raved about Friday and really enjoyed it.”
Louise Leslie, Acting Head, Dunrossness Primary

Fair Isle

“CHROMA visited Fair Isle in September 2023 for a wonderful week of immersive music, dance, crafts and history.  From 5 year olds in primary 1 to islanders in their 80s, all of us benefited hugely from this week of creative fun.  CHROMA are highly skilled in encouraging and engaging the children, including kids with additional support needs, and all found a happy place to write their own music and take part in the activities.  CHROMA used a local theme, the wreck of a Spanish Armada ship here in Fair Isle, and brought the story to life with music, writing, beach combing and even dance.  The children learned about music and performance in a comfortable setting and will always have that to treasure, and us adults got to join in and enjoy world-class performances, even here in the UK's remotest inhabited island.  We hope our now long-standing friendship with CHROMA continues to keep enriching our lives here in Fair Isle.”

Eileen Thomson, secretary Fair Isle Community Association

”On behalf of the staff and children, I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone on the CHROMA team for a fantastic week of creativity and fun! The children fully immersed themselves in every activity and the whole community were extremely proud of their performance on Saturday night. The concert was beautiful and we were mesmerised by the musical pieces. We are very grateful and look forward to next time! “
Gillian Maxwell, Head Teacher, Fair Isle School

TOWARDS LIGHT
in various forms & Locations 2021-2022

"We were so happy to have the wonderful Chroma return to Fair Isle this autumn.  Each and every member of the group brings so much to Fair Isle - of course beautiful music, but also fun and engaging creative workshops for all ages - something quite special when we live in the UK's most remote island community.
The Fair Isle children get an incredible introduction to classical music and the joy it brings.  Chroma is not just a group of visiting artists; they have become true friends of the community and they enrich our lives here."
Eileen Thomson, Fair Isle Community Association

“thank you  so much for the great work you did with school children. The processes worked through, skills practiced and knowledge shared along with so much creativity has very much enhanced the children’s curriculum this term and beyond”
Ruth Stout, Head Teacher, Fair Isle School

2020-2021 BETWEEN LOCKDOWNS:
CurrenT, RisinG; RHUL & RAM

In July 2020 we recorded the score for Current Rising - a hyper-reality opera at the Royal Ballet and Opera (experiences postponed due to 3rd Lockdown but ran during May 2021), then worked with the under- and post-grad composers at Royal Holloway University of London (67 in all, over two terms), culminating in a live-streamed concert of stimulus piece Railgun by Anna Meredith plus a selection of student works. We continued our mentoring of 6 post-grad composers and 3 instrumentalists at the Royal Academy of Music - in the room in October , over zoom in February and back in the room again in March, when we recorded the resulting pieces.
Thank you to everyone who persevered to make these projects happen - safely - and bravo to the faculties at RHUL and RAM for giving their students quality projects with in-person CHROMAtie mentoring!

AWAKENING 2018-2019

CHROMA ARCHIVE