National Youth Choir of Scotland
The National Youth Choir of Scotland is an outstanding
choir for young people. It was formed in the summer of 1996 and
at ideal 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. The basis of
the choir's activities stem 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. Previous performances include Carl
Orff Carmini Burana, Rossini Petite Messe
Solennelle, Fauré
and Duruflé Requiems,
Britten Rejoice in the Lamb,
MacMillan Divo Aloysio
Sacrum, Haydn Mass
in Time of War, Chilcott
The Making of the Drum,
Bernstein Chichester
Psalms, Handel Zadok the
Priest, Lauridsen Lux
Aeterna and O Magnum
Mysterium, Musgrave
On The Underground.
Works by Gardner, Leighton and McEwen featured on the choir's first CD produced in 1998, and works by Britten, MacMillan, Tippett and Tavener were included on the choir's second CD produced in 2000. The latest CD produced in 2002, features a selection of Scots songs. All three CD's are available from the NYCoS Shop. The choir has toured internationally to Ireland in 2000, Sweden in 2001 and Chicago in 2004. In August 2007 the choir toured Hungary to mark the 125th anniversary of Zoltán Kodály's birth. Over a period of 9 days, 7 concerts were given including St Stephen's Cathedral and Mathias Church in Budapest, the Great Reformed Church in Debrecen and the concert hall of the Kodály school in Nyíregyháza. Concerts have been given in England in Birmingham and London. In 2003, the Sopranos and Altos also took part in the Edinburgh International Festival, performing Messiaen Trois Petites Liturgies with the BBC SSO under Ilan Volkov. In 2003 the choir was also involved in the MTV Awards in Edinburgh, and sang for the first time in Proms in the Park; the Scottish part of BBC Last Night of the Proms. 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. For a more extensive history of the choir and the additional activities that NYCoS run click here. PRESS QUOTES You don't get a much finer choral sound than this in Scotland. Its unforced strength projected Bernstein's dramatic writing with precision and keen sensitvity The Scotsman, April 2006 These gifted singers covered themselves with glory. Indeed, the energy and discipline of their singing set the bar high… Chicago Tribune, August 2004 this is a choir with spot on intonation and beautifully controlled dynamics… The Guardian, August 2003 …an accomplished performance all-round, from the flawless tuning to the excellent blend of the young voices. It was musically sensitive too, the singers all extremely attentive and responsive to the lucid direction of the conductor. The Herald, July 2003 Bell has the youngsters eating out of the palm of his hands. They respond super-sensitively to this every gesture. Thea Musgraves’s setting of poems written for the world’s various underground systems required the choir to project every word distinctly, and this they did, with spectacular energy and humour. The Scotsman, July 2003 The emotional commitment of the singers was total, particularly in the spirituals from Tippet's Child of our Time, and in a performance of the Fauré Requiem which was one of the best I have ever heard. Classical Music Magazine, September 2001 The National Youth Choir of Scotland achieved something very few choirs ever manage to do - they filled the cathedral with sound. And what a vibrant, full sound it was. This is a big choir and Christopher Bell takes obvious delight in giving his young singers every opportunity to create an impressive range of colours and dynamics. The big moments were very thrilling, but the quiet singing, when it occurred, was also immensely satisfying. Irish
News, September 2000
2008 datesThe location for the residential course in 2008 will be Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. The course will run from 6th - 12th July with concerts in St Andrews on Friday 11th and at the City Halls in Glasgow on Saturday 12th.
Repertoire for NYCoS 2008No decisions have been made about the repetoire for 2008.
Audition DatesThe auditions for 2008 will be held during the periods 28 February - 2 March and 6 - 8 March in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Depending on the number of applications from each area, auditions may also be held in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Dumfries during the above dates. See Auditions for what is required at a NYCoS Audition and an example of the sight-reading test. Should I apply for NYCoS or NYCoS Training Choir? Don’t worry if you are unsure which choir to apply for. Once we have heard you we will be able to advise you which choir would be most suitable. Accommodation July
– Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh,
which has a full range of rehearsal and recreational facilities
(including a swimming pool). Set in 100 acres of grounds, the
recently refurbished accommodation is a mixture of single and
shared rooms Full board terms are provided.
StaffStaff members vary from year to year.
Fees and FundingThe membership fee for NYCoS 2008 is Ł430, which includes full board accommodation at Merchiston Castle School, provision of transport to concert venues and vocal coaching. It also includes accommodation during the September weekend plus transport to concerts. Is there any financial assistance available? Yes. A number of local authorities, schools, universities, colleges, educational trusts and firms have assisted members in the past. You should apply either through your school, Head of Education Service or Faculty Head etc. See Funding
Missing Persons
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