National Choirs
National Youth Choir of Scotland
Ages: 16 - 25An outstanding choir for young people, recognised internationally by audiences and artists as one of the best choirs in the world.
Comprised of the most promising young singers from across the country, membership for the National Youth Choir of Scotland is granted by audition to those born, resident or studying in Scotland, or of Scottish descent. Led by world-renowned conductor Christopher Bell, the basis of the choir’s activities stems from a week-long residential course in Edinburgh. During the residential course, the repertoire for the year ahead is learnt and choir members receive vocal tuition and singing lessons.
The choir has performed major choral works at events across Scotland and the UK, the highlights of which include the Edinburgh International Festival, BBC Proms and XX Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. The choir has also toured to Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Slovakia, Sweden and the USA, and at major public events and venues such as Philharmonie de Paris and Carnegie Hall, New York.
Donald Runnicles, OBE
“One of the best choral ensembles in the world”
The Herald
“they are, beyond debate, the best choir in Scotland”
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NYCOS is back! Applications for National Choirs 2025 are now open. Now is your chance to join one of Scotland’s best choirs – don’t miss out.
In 2025, the choir will consist of two main sections
National Youth Choir of Scotland
Gives experienced choral singers prestigious performance opportunities.
NYCOS Training Choir
Gives enthusiastic singers the experience and vocal coaching required for progression.
Auditions
Members of the National Youth Choir of Scotland are amongst the most promising young singers in the UK and admission to the Choir is by audition. Preparation is key; it’s never too early to start practising. After hearing you, Christopher Bell will decide whether you are ready for membership of the National Youth Choir of Scotland or NYCOS Training Choir.
What to sing at the audition
At audition, you will be invited to sing a song you have prepared, sing at sight and sing some scales to establish your range. Whilst ability to sing at sight is desirable, you should not be deterred from applying if your sight-singing is currently weak. Your singing teacher or class teacher should advise you on your choice of song. For more information, see the Audition Guidelines.
Audition Locations
Depending on numbers, auditions may be held in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. The opportunity to audition online may be available to anyone with accessibility needs or in remote locations.
Residential Course
The activities for the year all stem from the week-long residential course where the repertoire is learned. The seven days are full of intense musical activity, vocal coaching, individual singing lessons and full choir rehearsals mixed with recreation time and informal concerts. Members receive individual singing lessons from top-flight professional singers, teaching to the highest standards.
Concerts & Engagements
The course finishes with a concert for NYCOS Training Choir at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. Members of each choir will have the chance to take part in exciting additional engagements, full details of which will be advised prior to your audition. Members will be expected to take part in both the residential course and additional engagements.
Costs & Financial Assistance
We want you to apply, regardless of your needs, income or background. Auditions are free, all of our venues are accessible, you don’t need any specific experience and fees can be reduced up to 100% based on sibling discounts and household income.
Members pay 5 instalments of £147 for NYCOS or 5 instalments of £136 for NYCOS Training Choir.Costs are inclusive of membership, full-board accommodation, provision of music, additional engagements and all activities throughout the residential course.
If you have any questions or feel that anything is stopping you from applying, please contact Kenny Boyd and he would be happy to help.
If you are enthusiastic about singing, enjoy it and are prepared to work hard to sing to your full potential, we would like to hear from you.
No. Members must be available for all parts of the commitment. The team trains together and performs together – if members of the team disappear it affects our performance.
All parts of the residential course are important. At the beginning you are learning new music and settling into the course structure, and if you miss the beginning you will lose a lot, perhaps never catching up.
We prefer members to come to the course and stay for the duration, unless there is a pre-agreed extenuating circumstance. For example, in the past people have had a hospital appointment which if missed could not be re-organised for months. Each case is different so is considered individually.
The school has full sports facilities and a swimming pool. There is also a formal dinner at the end of the week for choir members to dress up and dance the night away.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland is directed by Christopher Bell, Artistic Director. Kenny Boyd, National Choirs Producer, leads a team of qualified and experienced house staff. NYCOS has Child Protection Guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of choir members.
Those who will be aged 16 – 25 at the time of the residential course born, resident/studying in Scotland, or of Scottish descent.
Those who will be aged 18 – 25 at the time of the rehearsal course born, resident/studying in Scotland, or of Scottish descent.
This is a national choir. In order to perform at the highest possible standard it needs to recruit the best singers available each year. To keep your place in the choir you need to work at maintaining and improving your vocal and musicianship skills.
