The best of the rest…

Loch Shiel Spring Festival 19-22 April From tubas on Glenfinnan viaduct to Antonine Brass in Sunart’s woods, the festival’s al fresco temptations are a breath of fresh air. Tel: +44 (0)1967 402313

Web: www.shielfestival.com

Plug Festival Glasgow 4-11 May

The Brodick Quartet, Red Note Ensemble and Glasgow New Music Expedition join composer-in-residence Rolf Hind (above) as The Royal Conservatoire plugs into the new. Tel: +44 (0)141 332 5057

Web: www.rcs.ac.uk

Mendelssohn on Mull 30 June –7 July

The island-wide chamber music rendezvous celebrates its 30th birthday and enters a new era with the Doric Quartet at the helm. Tel: +44 (0)7818 691300

Web: www.mendelssohnonmull.com Northern Ireland Opera Festival of Voice 31 August – 2 September

Part-celebration and part-competition as five singers go head-to-head, the multi-tasking festival returns to Glenarm. Tel: +44 (0)28 9027 7734

Web: www.niopera.com

The Cumnock Tryst 4-7 October

Cumnock remembers the centenary of the Armistice with a new oratorio by festival founder James Macmillan. The soloists include tenor Ian Bostridge (below).

Tel: +44 (0)778 861 8652

Web: www.thecumnocktryst.com

City of Derry International Choral

Festival 24-28 October

As choirs converge from across Europe, community events and gala concerts give Derry something to sing about.

Tel: +44 (0)28 7136 3672

Web: www.derrychoirfest.com

Sound 24 October – 3 November

Sound is immersed in commissions from James Dillon and Sally Beamish and welcomes Ensemble 2e2m.

Tel: +44 (0)1330 826526

Web: sound-scotland.co.uk St Andrews Voices 25-28 October Parry and Schoenberg make for unexpected bedfellows as Tenebrae honours a World

War I theme also taken up by vocal ensemble Song Tellers. Tel: +44 (0)1334 475000 Web: standrewsvoices.com