Music in Dollar 
News
Our next event is Charlotte Rowan, dynamic violin virtuoso originally from Dollar - must see!
Jia Ning Ng played with great precision and heart, a real treat.
Ticket prices have been held the same as last season. You won't find the highest quality professional music cheaper anywhere!
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Who are we?
Music in Dollar is an independent organisation with a mission to promote music and the arts around Dollar, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
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2025-26 Season
Buying Tickets
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Tickets for each concert can be bought by clicking the 'Buy tickets' button beside the concert listing below, or at the door (we have a card machine, but it doesn't always work so best to have some cash as backup). Cost is £12, students in full-time education admitted free of charge.
Season Tickets provide entry to all concerts in the season. Cost is £40. That's less than £7 per concert, unbeatable value!
Choose how you'd like to pay: online using the button below, buy at the door (card or cash), or contact us to request bank transfer details.
Next event
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From an early age, local lass Rowan (who attended Dollar Academy) has been captivating audiences with her dazzling virtuosity, commanding stage presence and imaginative spirit.
Since graduating in 2012 from Peabody Conservatory of Music, USA, she has launched a career as a solo performer, and as a duo with long-established partner Charlotte Stevenson.
She last played at Dollar in 2020, and the memory of that powerful and passionate performance lingers. We are very much looking forward to her return to Dollar!
A breathtaking recital. I was advised to get my programme signed for posterity, and wish I had – Stirling
The sheer virtuosity of her playing - speed, range of technique, mood - was amazing. You truly gave us a concert to remember. Such an amazing performance – Crail
Previous concerts
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Season Opener - Music on Sunday Afternoon
Free of charge - all welcome
Sunday, 14th September 2025
In a change of format, our event to open the new season is an afternoon of live music.
Combining the informality of the Open Evening, with raffle, games and stalls from the Coffee Morning and two halves of live music of varying styles, courtesy of talented students. There is something for everyone - enjoy music, wine, chat and games in a relaxed cabaret-style setting.
Drinks and refreshments are supplied. Come along, bring your friends, enjoy!
Season and Basic memberships will be on sale. As a bonus for buying early and beating the rush at the first concert, every Season membership comes with free complimentary tickets. Treat your friends and family!
Note that this is in the Maguire Building, Dollar Academy, not the usual Gibson Hall where we stage concerts. It is a magnificent modern building (2005) in the grounds of Dollar Academy, around 200 yards from the main school building (link to map), and close to the sports pavilion. Signs directing you to it will be in place.
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Defying conventional beliefs that the opera can only be played in huge city venues, we’re bringing it to Dollar! Cut-down in size but not in quality, A Night at the Opera comprises four singers, eleven instruments, conductor and compère!
Programmes are packed with favourite operatic melodies, including pieces to delight both the musical connoisseur and the less operatically minded. Homage is paid to giants of the genre such as Bizet, Delibes, Donizetti, Mozart, Offenbach, Puccini, Saint-Saens, J Strauss and Verdi, sometimes with a nod to Lehar and Gilbert and Sullivan. Each item is introduced with full musical and character explanation.
A surprise or two may also be in store!
"Fabulous performance! What a wonderful evening! Sublime singing, all accompanied by a magnificent orchestra. An absolute joy from start to finish!" – Lanark Music
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Chinese Ensemble
Free of charge - all welcome
Sunday, 2nd November 2025
3:00pm Gibson Hall, Dollar FK14 7DU
And now for something a little different! The Edinburgh Chinese Community Orchestra (aka Harmony Ensemble) was established 25 years ago as a group of local musicians and visiting students who love performing Chinese music.
They perform at many events throughout Scotland, often representing the Chinese Community at traditional celebrations, bringing Chinese music to a wider community.
For our performance, the ensemble will comprise Li Rong Rong and Eddie McGuire (of Whistlebinkies fame, and a prominent composer) who introduces the pieces. They have lined up a magical programme of Chinese music in various styles.
This is an informal event, where the audience are invited to touch and play the instruments and chat to the performers.
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We Play Piano
Free of charge - all welcome
Sunday, 9th November 2025
3:00pm Gibson Hall, Dollar FK14 7DU
Music in Dollar are hosting another piano performance afternoon, We Play Piano. See the accompanying information.
This is an afternoon for young pianists ages 5-18, of all abilities and all styles, to play for family and friends, with a supportive and encouraging audience.
It showcases young courageous pianists who are dedicated to performance. Come and join us for what will be an inspirational afternoon of young talent!
Refreshments will be provided.
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Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis has created a brand new style that embraces classical, gypsy jazz and folk. Hailed as a ‘current-day improvising Paganini’, his inclusive and innovative approach to music has united audiences and is influencing a new generation of string players.
An invitation to the Richard Strauss Festival in Germany started the Tim Kliphuis Trio (Nigel Clark, guitar and Roy Percy, double bass) whose mission is a ‘total music’ without stylistic barriers. They performed at the Amsterdam Canal Concert, curated the world fiddle night at Celtic Connections Glasgow, celebrated Stéphane Grappelli at the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois-sur-Seine.
Many collaborations and tours later, we are thrilled that artists of this international stature will play for us in Dollar.
Superb ... a thoughtful, provocative meeting of minds – The Sunday Times
Playfully inventive and technically brilliant – Time Out
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The Chloé Piano Trio, winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society Henderson Prize 2021, was formed in 2017 by talented emerging musicians at the Royal College of Music, London. They come to Dollar as Tunnell Prize winners, with a programme of Mozart, Dvorak, Weir and Ravel.
Few young groups play with as much personality as the Chloé Piano Trio – Keith Bruce, Vox Carnyx
An outstanding ensemble, with very high standard of playing, bringing together three top-rate instrumentalists and equally sensitive, intelligent and dedicated musicians ...probing interpretations of not only mainstream repertoire, but also of lesser known works which deserve more recognition – Ulrich Koella, Ticino Musica Festival
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Come and Sing!
Free of charge - all welcome
Sunday 1st February 2026
2:00pm Gibson Hall, Dollar FK14 7DU
There's no better way to feel good than to sing! Music in Dollar has organised a day when you can do just that – with some expert tuition along the way. Singing doesn't require an instrument – it's you! Everyone can do it, so why not come along and have some fun.
The format will be to learn a couple of songs, with a vocal workshop led by expert tutor Brian McBride to help bring it all together. Theme is Scottish songs. At the end the 'choir' will perform the songs for anyone who wants to come along and listen.
This is a community event, all are welcome at no cost. Bring along friends and family, anyone who is interested to either sing themselves or listen to others.
Water will be provided. Bring along any other edibles to keep you going. A pencil might also be handy for taking notes.
Those who don't fancy singing can still enjoy the sounds of those that do. It's worthwhile just to hear Brian singing all the parts!
Watch Brian describing the event
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We Play Piano Feb 26
Free of charge - all welcome
Sunday, 22nd February 2026
3:00pm Gibson Hall, Dollar FK14 7DU
By popular demand, we have scheduled another piano performance afternoon, We Play Piano. See the accompanying information.
This is an afternoon for young pianists ages 5-18, of all abilities and all styles, to play for family and friends, with a supportive and encouraging audience.
It showcases young courageous pianists who are dedicated to performance. Come and join us for what will be an inspirational afternoon of young talent!
Several advanced students from the RCS are playing in this event. Hear the stars of the future!
Refreshments will be provided.
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Singaporean pianist Jia Ning Ng has recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where, in addition to gaining B.Mus., M.Mus. and Artist Diploma, she won many prestigious awards. In April 2022, she made her debut with the RSNO, for which she was awarded First Prize in the RCS Concerto Competition. Jia Ning is also an active chamber musician, being particularly drawn to Lieder, and has also collaborated with the Resol String Quartet
Since graduating Jia has played throughout Scotland to rave reviews (and standing ovations). This was originally programmed for last season, but delayed for family reasons. We are delighted that we were able to reschedule what should be a fabulous concert.
From the imposing opening solo piano passage through the technical middle sections, Ng played with an admirable blend of sensitivity and musical understanding – Straits Times
Ng was clearly alive to all the nuances of Schubert’s famously illustrative accompaniments whether turning the great Steinway into a gently plucked lute or rippling seamlessly as the flowers swayed in the breeze – Oxford Lieder Festival