Scotscores / Muriel Johnstone

How did Muriel get where she is today?

Muriel Johnstone has earned a reputation as one of the finest musicians currently playing for Scottish Dance, both as a solo performer and together with other fine musicians.

Despite having played the piano since the age of seven, danced since the age of eight, played for Scottish Country Dancing since 1965, attended RSCDS Summer School regularly since 1965 as a dancer and since 1975 as a member of staff, arranged the music for the Society’s books from Book 28 to Book 41, played in a band since 1975, started “Scotscores” in 1984 and traveled the world since 1988, Muriel has never lost her enthusiasm for the music and the dance.

Muriel’s work in the field of traditional Scottish music has taken her from Scotland to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe. Her reputation as one of the finest musicians currently playing for Scottish Country Dance puts her in great demand for workshops, dances and concerts. During her career Muriel has had several wonderful musical liaisons since her first band gig with Bobby Crowe. These include Angus Fitchet, Marian Anderson, Judith Linton, Gordon Smith, Iain Fraser, Chris Duncan, Calum MacKinnon, Keith Smith and Alasdair Fraser.

Muriel’s diversity ensures a very busy life-style and a great deal of traveling as she continues to teach (both music and dance), perform, play for classes and dances, and compose. To date Muriel has released 17 CDs on her own “Scotscores” label (and has appeared on many other recordings) including five volumes of Dancing Fingers – a unique sound of piano and bass playing a mixture of dance and listening numbers. The music is all composed by Muriel herself. A strong interest in dance music has led to the recording of much of the less-available music from this repertoire e.g. the Dance Through the Miscellanies series and all of the currently published dances of Mary Isdale MacNab.

One of Muriel’s strengths and joys is providing sympathetic accompaniment for other musicians. This is heard to fine effect on Sandy Ower the Sea - the debut album of the exciting Australian fiddler Chris Duncan, North of the Tweed - a selection of music associated with the Borders of Scotland, played by Marian Anderson (accordion),
Judith Linton (fiddle) and Muriel Johnstone (piano), and on Cairngorms – a live recording with Keith Smith (fiddle) from the Cairngorms Ball in London.

A long-standing association with Roy Goldring has resulted in three CD’s of Roy’s ever-popular dances, Haste Ye Back, 15 Social Dances and Vintage Goldring.

The band also recorded Dancing Live from Blair Castle and Doncaster during the 75th celebrations of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Muriel has had a long association with the Society as a dancer, teacher and arranger of music, and subsequently as Musical Director. She has also done a great deal of recording and producing work on the RSCDS label. Her band has recorded the music for Books 38 & 24.

As a prolific composer, Muriel has provided tunes for many dances and for many people throughout the huge Scottish Country Dance world. Many of her compositions have been published in a number of dance books as well. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society recognized her service by awarding her the Society’s Scroll of Honour in 2002.

She considers herself to be one of the lucky ones having a career doing something she absolutely loves.

Although music takes up a large slice of time and devotion, there are other loves in Muriel’s life – her husband Bill, daughters Tracy and Sally, son Alastair, son-in-law Lindsay; playing golf, cooking, reading and spending time with friends – never enough! Muriel is currently living in Houston, Texas.

Here are just a few unforgettable highlights:

Her first try at reading chord symbols on stage in the Younger Hall, St. Andrews, 1975
Earlier in the pub Bobby Crowe (Band leader) asks: “Can you read the dots?”
Muriel replies: “I don’t know but I’ll give it a go!”
This led to Muriel becoming a full time member of Bobby’s band!

“An Hour with Muriel Johnstone”
Old Parliament House - Canberra, Australia.
A panic attack, an overdose of adrenaline, then an incredible hour of music and talking to a packed ‘house of parliament’!

Presentation of the Society Scroll
Prior to the Jeannie Carmichael Ball - The Thayer Hotel, West Point, NY.
Music by Keith Smith & Muriel Johnstone. Overwhelming speeches. Absolute joy to have all her children present.

Disappointments
Strange and wondrous piano-shaped objects that resolutely refuse to help her sound like the person she’s supposed to be!

Concert of Scottish Music – Alasdair Fraser & Muriel Johnstone
Backstage in a theatre - Minneapolis, MN.
Muriel spots a fire bucket and wonders if she has time to throw up before they finish announcing “and please welcome to the stage, Muriel Johnstone”. Virtually no rehearsal, absolutely no music, Muriel met this man a few hours earlier – why worry! One of the most exhilarating evenings, leading to a great friendship.