NYCOS

05/06/2026

We’re going on tour.

Celebrate 30 years of NYCOS with a powerful programme across Scotland this August.

Carmina Burana — Carl Orff
The World (World premiere) — Jay Capperauld
The Passing of the Year — Jonathan Dove

📍 Paisley Town Hall | Fri 21 Aug 2026, 7.30pm
📍 Music Hall Aberdeen | Sat 22 Aug 2026, 7.30pm
📍 Perth Theatre and Concert Hall | Sun 23 Aug 2026, 7.30pm

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now: https://www.nycos.co.uk/events

Images by Robin Mair Photography

02/06/2026

Pauline Stafford has been a valued part of the West Lothian Regional Choir as Musicianship Tutor and has contributed so much to NYCOS over the years. Congratulations on your election as MSP for Bathgate and wishing you every success in your new role. 🎉

It was an emotional final concert working for . It has been a wonderful 10 years working with the most fantastic colleagues and young people. Now celebrating their 30th anniversary NYCOS is far more than just singing. Young people build confidence, develop friendships and represent Scotland on the world stage. Wishing them all the best for the future.

01/06/2026

BSL Youth Wanted: Perform at the Scottish Parliament!

English transcript

Do you use British Sign Language (BSL)? Are you aged 14–18?

The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) is looking for young people from Scotland, aged 14–18, who use or are familiar with British Sign Language to take part in an exciting project.
You will work with inspirational speaker, musician, and performer Paul Whittaker to help create and sign a special performance taking place at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 27 June.

Rehearsals will take place online initially, followed by in-person sessions in Edinburgh on 26 and 27 June.

Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.
We welcome applications from all young people who use BSL, including those who are Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing.

If you would like to register your interest or find out more information please email Louise Major, Regional Choirs Producer at [email protected]

If you know of anyone that might be interested in this opportunity, please share this post with them.

24/05/2026

We are pleased to be featured in The Herald Scotland ahead of our 30th Anniversary Gala alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 13 September, following our Anniversary Tour with concerts in Paisley, Aberdeen and Perth.

We will return to the piece performed at our very first concert, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, together with our 30th anniversary commission, The World, by Jay Capperauld, and The Passing of the Year by Jonathan Dove.

Read more 👇

The National Youth Choir of Scotland will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a major gala concert at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall this September.

22/05/2026

4 days to go!

Our summer concerts kick off on 26 May — don’t miss it. Regional Choirs across Scotland will take to the stage.

🎟️ Book now: https://www.nycos.co.uk/events

Music: The Circus by Stephen Deazley
Performed by NYCOS National Girls Choir, conducted by Christopher Bell

16/05/2026

Countdown to summer concerts is officially on ☀️

Our Regional Choirs are busy in rehearsals, bringing together everything they’ve been working on this term. Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes from one of our newest choirs in East Lothian.

All 14 regional choirs will take to the stage between 26 May and 9 June.

Tickets may be limited on the day — book now via our website: https://www.nycos.co.uk/events

Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic \\ Photography & Design

14/05/2026

Yesterday our Chamber Choir had the honour of performing at the Kirking of the Parliament in St Giles' Cathedral 🎶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Marking the opening of the Scottish Parliament, bringing together music in one of Edinburgh’s most historic settings.

We performed music by Chris Hutchings, James MacMillan, Marjory Kennedy-Fraser, Fraser David Macdonald, in the presence of civic leaders, Members of the Scottish Parliament and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

A real privilege to be part of such a special occasion.

Photo credit: The Scottish Parliament

03/05/2026

Oban Boys’ Singing Project – Next Session Saturday 9 May

The Oban Boys’ Singing Project is back next Saturday, 9 May, and it’s free to join.

If you know a boy aged 10–17 who enjoys singing (or would like to give it a try), this is a fun, supportive space to sing together, learn new music and build confidence — no previous experience needed.

📍 St Columba’s Cathedral Hall, Oban
🕚 11am–4pm
💷 Free to attend

Session dates:
🗓️ 9 May • 13 June • 19 September
👉 Come along to any session — no need to attend them all.

🔗 Book a place:
https://www.nycos.co.uk/.../national-boys-choir-oban-2026/

Please share to help spread the word!

28/04/2026

Alumni Spotlight: Ruth

Ruth found her love for singing at a young age, then took her music‑making to the next level when she joined NYCOS in 2005. She went on to spend years moving homes around Europe and has now built a life working as a teacher in Madrid. She sings with one of Spain’s leading amateur vocal ensembles Coro Nox.

Though this lifestyle was sometimes challenging, finding a choir to join always helped her to feel a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places. Those experiences, along with the challenge and support she valued from NYCOS, helped to build a resilience that she now shares with her students.

‘The kids at my school have a very strict choir conductor; she’s wonderful, but she’s very strict. The kids say things like “do we have to go to choir again today?” or “we’ve got the concert coming up and I’m not sure”. The best advice I can give them is that it’s honestly worth it.’

Delve into Ruth’s spotlight at nycos.co.uk.