In 1998, two Area Choirs were set up as a pilot project in Edinburgh and West Lothian. This project was a huge success, so was gradually rolled out across the country. There are now 12 NYCoS Area Choirs across Scotland.

The aims of the Area Choirs are to encourage singing to the best of the singer’s ability, to learn to read music and to develop and train the voice. The emphasis is ultimately on fun, and on the establishment of good pitching and a good ear using the Kodály method.

Members are recruited annually from Primary 3 from schools within the local authority. The choirs are split into 4 or 5 different choirs dependent on age and ability, with the new recruits joining the Training Choir.

Area Choirs meet once a week and rehearsals are split between musicianship training and full singing sessions. Musicianship sessions take the form of small groups working on pitching and rhythm games. Members work through a musicianship awards scheme as they progress through the choir, using the NYCoS books Go for Bronze, Go for Silver and Go for Gold.

Concerts are performed at the end of summer and winter terms to showcase what the choirs have learned. Area Choirs are also often asked to perform at prestigious events throughout the year, such as local authority concerts, charity events and even performances at the Scottish Parliament.

Select your closest Area Choir to find out more details. A member must be attending a school within the local authority to be eligible to join the choir.

For information about a specific Area Choir, contact the Local Co-ordinator.

General enquiries should be directed to Area Choirs Manager Lorna Rudden.