NYCoS

The National Youth Choir of Scotland is an outstanding choir for young people aged 16 to 24. It was formed in the summer of 1996 and at full strength the choir numbers 100 (30 each of Sopranos and Altos and 20 each of Tenors and Basses). Membership is granted by audition on a yearly basis and is open to singers aged 16 to 24 who are born, resident or studying in Scotland.

Click here to pay your membership fees online

The basis of the choir's activities stems from the residential course in July. During this time, members receive expert choral and individual vocal coaching and work with professional musicians to perform major works from the choral repertoire in the main cities and concert halls in Scotland under the expert guidance of Christopher Bell, Artistic Director and Conductor of NYCoS.

NYCoS has performed at events all over the UK, the highlights of which include: Edinburgh International Festival, MTV Europe Awards and BBC Proms. The choir has toured internationally to Ireland in 2000, Sweden in 2001, Chicago in 2004, Hungary in 2007 (the 125th anniversary of Zoltán Kodály's birth) and Germany in 2010.

2006 was the choir's 10th Anniversary year. This was marked by concerts with the BBCSSO in Glasgow and London, the 10th Anniversary Gala with the RSNO in Edinburgh, and a BBC Songs of Praise from the City Halls in Glasgow, involving members of NYCoS Training Choir, NYCoS National Boys Choir and NYCoS Area Choirs.

Five years later in 2011, NYCoS celebrated its 15th Anniversary with unforgettable performances including Duruflé Requiem at Edinburgh International Festival with Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Robin Ticciati and a five-star Gala Concert peformance of Walton Belshazzar's Feast with RSNO.

"With Bell in overdrive, baritone Andrew McTaggart an authoritative storyteller and the RSNO pulling out all the stops in response to such singing, this was a shattering experience. I was pinned to my seat, juddering at the physical impact of the music."
The Herald, 15th Anniverary Gala Concert, September 2011

"This was a world class choral performance. It was beautiful. It was indescribably polished and refined"
The Herald, Duruflé Requiem, August 2011

"These fresh young voices produced a well-balanced, vibrant tone as well as demonstrating an impressive versatility"
The Scotsman, July 2010

"The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) is, quite simply, the best choir in Scotland. Nowhere else...will you find such a uniform level of attack, focused tone and electrifying musical delivery as these eager young singers produce."
The Scotsman, September 2006

"Bravo the choir, now a major musical force in Scotland, and a fine testament to the rigorous training it has clearly received from Christopher Bell."
The Herald, April 2006

For more information about NYCoS, contact Ruth Townsend, National Choirs Manager.