NYCOS

13/10/2026

Could you be the next voice of the National Girls Choir?

Watch the NYCOS National Girls Choir perform Claude Debussy's Beau Soir at their 2026 Spring Concert.

From expert tuition and new friendships to unforgettable musical experiences, our Easter residential course brings together talented young singers from across Scotland.

📅 Applications close on 30 October.
Auditions take place across Scotland this November, with online options available.

📹 Lewis Landini

13/10/2026

No rehearsal this evening but if you are missing your NYCOS fix, then listening to the anniversary gala concert is guaranteed to fill that gap.

Well worth discovering the pinnacle of what NYCOS membership can lead to.

Christopher Bell conducts Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana'.

13/10/2026

Missed our 30th anniversary gala concert at the Usher Hall?

Here’s your chance to listen from home!

📻 Tune in to BBC Radio 3 in Concert tomorrow, Wednesday 14 October, at 7.30pm, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The programme includes Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year and Jay Capperauld’s The World.

🎧 Listen live or catch up on BBC Sounds:

Christopher Bell conducts Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana'.

12/10/2026

Online Kodály Musicianship Begins 17 October

Ready to develop your musicianship from home?

Join expert tutors Lucinda Geoghegan and James Cuskelly for our six-week online Kodály musicianship courses, designed for all experience levels, from complete beginners to advanced musicians.

📅 Starts 17 October
🎓 Student discounts available
✅ Bookings now open

Find out more and book your place: https://www.nycos.co.uk/events/go-for-bronze-get-started-with-nycos-musicianship-online/

📸 Sally Jubb Photography

10/10/2026

Aged 12 to 17 and passionate about singing?

Join the National Girls Choir and sing with talented young singers from across Scotland.

Train with our expert staff, make new friends and grow as a musician during our Easter 2027 course. Chosen from Scotland's best young singing talent, members of the National Girls Choir are known for their exceptional musicality and expressive performances.

📅 Applications close on 30 October.

🔗 Apply now: https://www.nycos.co.uk/apply

08/10/2026

Aged 10 to 17 and passionate about singing?

Join the National Boys Choir and sing with talented young singers from across Scotland.

Train with our expert staff, make new friends and grow as a musician during our Easter 2027 course. Singing helps boys build confidence and develop musical skills, while being part of a supportive community.

📅 Applications close on 30 October.​‌

🔗 Apply now: https://www.nycos.co.uk/apply

06/10/2026

Despite the road closure access to wellside road (and the church) is still possible via the A96

See you at rehearsal soon.

06/10/2026

Passionate about singing?

Auditions for the National Youth Choir of Scotland are now open to singers aged 16 to 25.

Train with our expert staff to develop your voice alongside Scotland's finest young singers, then perform on some of the UK's most prestigious stages.

📅 Applications close on 30 October.
Residential course: 5-11 July 2027.

🔗 Apply now: https://www.nycos.co.uk/apply

03/10/2026

Scotland, it's time to sing! 🎶

We brought NYCOS Singing Time to life at West Primary School in Paisley, joined by Artistic Director Christopher Bell, internationally acclaimed tenor Nicky Spence, and presenter and NYCOS alum Holly Clelland.

“The main thing is the children are having a wonderful time taking part.” — Christopher Bell

“With Singing Time everyone takes part and they don’t have the trauma of feeling like the spotlight is on them when they open their mouths.” — Nicky Spence

A free gift for every primary school in Scotland, NYCOS Singing Time brings songs, games and music into classrooms across the country.

Read the full story: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/fabulous/16859123/opera-singer-wants-scots-pupils-sing-hymn/

📸 Paul Chappells

30/09/2026

Bach & Blood: Final Stop in London 🎵

Hear from Scottish Ensemble’s Artistic Director Jonathan Morton as he discusses Bach & Blood, our performance that brings together Scottish Ensemble and singers from the Chamber Choir of the National Youth Choir of Scotland NYCOS.

From the enhanced beauty of J.S Bach’s Chaconne, famously described as “the greatest structure for solo violin that exists”, to the eerie sound world of David Fennessy’s Blood, Jonathan talks through the power and process of the pieces.

Bach & Blood visited Whitekirk (Lammermuir Festival), Perth, Glasgow (Glasgow Cathedral Festival), from 16 - 18 September, and ends in London on 02 October.

Fri 2 October 7:30pm
London, Milton Court

Watch the full video through the link in our bio: youtu.be/bPplBadw01g

Find out more through the link in bio: scottishensemble.co.uk/programme/2026-27/bach-blood/

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Filmed and edited by Zip Tie Studio
Zip Tie Studio

23/09/2026

Hello, Glasgow! 👋

Join our new choir for P4-P7 singers. No previous experience needed!

📍 St Roch's Secondary School
📅 Wednesdays

Find out more and register your interest: https://www.nycos.co.uk/register-your-interest-rc

23/09/2026

That’s a wrap on the first three performances of Bach & Blood 🩸- next stop: London!

Bringing together J.S. Bach, Arvo Pärt, and Dave Fennessy’s Blood, and the voices of singers from the Chamber Choir of the NYCOS, it’s been a powerful few days of music.

Thank you for joining us at St Mary’s Church The Lammermuir Festival, St John’s Kirk Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, and Glasgow Cathedral Festival.

A huge thank you to our wonderful musicians:
Jonathan Morton (Artistic Director), Cheryl Crockett, Liza Johnson, Clio Gould, Donnie Deacon, Freya Goldmark, Tristan Gurney, Joanne Green, Laura Ghiro, Annabel Stevens, Jane Atkins, Andrew Berridge, Gordon Cervoni, Aiden Macdonald (Young Artist), Ben Michaels, Naomi Pavri, Sonia Cromarty and Diane Clark.

And to NYCOS Artistic Director, Christopher Bell, and singers: Jaimee Cheung, Florence Gill, Brigitte Harrigan Lees, Lorelei Law, Emily MacFarlane, Sophia Mashwani, Miriam McDonald, Beth Taylor and Michael Muoneke.

And a special one to Dave Fennessy for Blood 🤍

Next stop: London, 2 October at Milton Court at Barbican Centre
Tickets via the link in our bio: https://scottishensemble.co.uk/programme/2026-27/bach-blood/

📸 Stuart Armitt, Lammermuir Festival, 16 September

18/08/2026

New Term starts 25th August

Junior Choir - 5.45 - 6.45
Intermediate Choir - 5.45 - 7.15
Senior Choir - 6.45 - 8.45

New Members welcome!

22/06/2026

And if NYCOS is not enough singing for you, why not consider joining the Highland Youth Chorus?

22/06/2026

Date for your diary; Our first rehearsal of the next term will be on August 25th

Enjoy your summer!

01/06/2026

26/05/2026

COUNT DOWN TO THE CONCERT: THINGS TO REMEMBER 1

Enjoy yourself

We have worked very hard this term, and the results will be clear for everyone to see and hear. Performing on stage can always cause a little nervousness, but remember;

Everyone in the audience is there to see you enjoying singing.

Everyone standing beside you is there to support you.

Everyone in the other choirs is excited to hear what music you have put so much effort into.

Everyone who has been part of the rehearsals, whether they were standing at the front waving their arms, at the piano, leading musicianship, at the front desk signing you in and out, or in the main office in Glasgow, everyone is proud of you, of the work you have put in, of what you have achieved.

Everyone cannot wait to see what you can do.

Even Statler and Waldorf will not have a bad word to say after your performance, and if you don't know who they are? Well, that can be something fun for you to discover after the concert!

25/05/2026

COUNT DOWN TO THE CONCERT: THINGS TO REMEMBER 2

Hydration

The water you drink today primarily hydrates your body tomorrow. Even a huge bottle of water chugged right before the concert will do nothing, except perhaps make you need to go to the toilet half-way through the performance.

Drink lots of water TODAY so you are in top condition for the concert tomorrow!

24/05/2026

COUNT DOWN TO THE CONCERT: THINGS TO REMEMBER 3

The Venue

We love singing in the wonderful Culloden-Balloch Baptist Church, but on Tuesday we will be at the amazing Ness Bank Church by the river in Inverness.

I hope not to hand out any Travolta awards to anyone turning up confused at the wrong venue!

Parking is limited, so please plan accordingly.

23/05/2026

COUNT DOWN TO THE CONCERT: THINGS TO REMEMBER 4

Music / Words

Senior choir; you must bring your folder with all the music already prepared. There is no guarantee that there will be back-up copies and folders available.

Intermediate choir; your music folders will be at the church ready for you when you arrive, but you will need to make sure you have memorised the words of those songs for which you do not have music.

Junior choir; make sure you know all of the words. Don't end up on stage doing an impression of a goldfish - save that for the party later (if there is one, and if there is, I haven't been invited)