The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a celebratory tour and gala concert centred on one of the most recognisable works in the choral repertoire: Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The anniversary performances celebrate a milestone year for the organisation, with three decades of ambition, inclusion and musical excellence which have placed NYCOS at the heart of Scotland’s cultural life.
Founded 30 years ago by conductor Christopher Bell, NYCOS is the charity dedicated to nurturing and supporting singing among young people across Scotland. Through a nationwide network of choirs, training programmes and advocacy work, it creates opportunities for young people, teachers and choir leaders to engage with choral singing at every level, from first experiences to world-class performance. Since its inception, NYCOS has fundamentally shaped singing and choral culture across the country, with its national choirs flying the flag for Scotland on the world stage to critical acclaim.
The 30th anniversary celebrations return to the very beginning of NYCOS’s story. Thirty years ago, the organisation began its journey with a performance of Carmina Burana in the version for two pianos and percussion. It was an ambitious undertaking for a fledgling choir of just over 60 singers, divided into double choir and with scarcely any tenors – “a miracle it happened at all,” as those involved recall. That formative performance set the tone for the artistic boldness and belief in young singers that has defined NYCOS’s work ever since.
In 2026, Carmina Burana once again takes centre stage. Composed in 1935–36, Orff’s thrilling cantata sets 24 medieval poems exploring fate, springtime, love, celebration and the unpredictability of life. Driven by elemental rhythms, powerful choral writing and vivid orchestral colour, and framed by the world-famous opening and closing movement O Fortuna, the work continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its raw energy and dramatic sweep.
The anniversary tour takes place in August 2026, bringing together the National Youth Choir of Scotland with regional choirs from across the country, reflecting NYCOS’s nationwide reach and commitment to participation at every level. Performances take place at Paisley Town Hall on 21 August, Aberdeen Music Hall on 22 August and Perth Concert Hall on 23 August. Each concert will feature the National Youth Choir of Scotland alongside regional choirs from the host area, with NYCOS Renfrewshire Choir joining in Paisley, NYCOS Aberdeen in Aberdeen, and NYCOS Perth and Dundee in Perth. Soloists will be drawn from within the choir, with children’s choir parts sung by regional ensembles.
One hundred and forty of Scotland’s finest young singers will be conducted by Christopher Bell, NYCOS Founder and Artistic Director, accompanied by two pianos and percussion. Alongside Carmina Burana, the programme includes the world premiere of The World by Jay Capperauld, with text by Robert Louis Stevenson and Niall Campbell, and Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year.
The anniversary celebrations culminate in a landmark gala concert at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on 13 September 2026. This special performance brings together the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christopher Bell, with soprano, tenor and baritone soloists to be announced. The children’s choir parts will be sung by members of the National Boys Choir, National Boys Choir Training Choir, and National Girls Choir Training Choir. The programme mirrors the tour, pairing Carmina Burana with Capperauld’s The World and a newly orchestrated version Dove’s The Passing of the Year, heard for the first time in Scotland, offering a powerful statement of both continuity and renewal.
Across its 30‑year history, NYCOS has championed the social and personal benefits of singing for young people, from confidence and self-esteem to communication, connection and learning. With a strong remit around inclusion and advocacy, the organisation continues to make the case for singing as an essential part of Scotland’s cultural and educational life. At a time when opportunities for group singing among young people have never been more important, the anniversary celebrations provide a moment to reflect on what has been achieved and to look ahead to the next generation of singers.
Christopher Bell, Artistic Director of NYCOS, said: “I vividly recall the working party which met in 1995 to ask why Scotland did not have its own National Youth Choir. We resolved to create one, and NYCOS was born less than a year later.
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“I have long since ceased to be surprised at what NYCOS singers can achieve – year on year they surpass all expectations, whether on stage at the Edinburgh International Festival or touring with our own productions. The network of regional choirs we added in 1998 is the backbone of our organisation, creating the singers of the future.
“I am so proud of Scotland’s young singers. Join us on tour this year as we celebrate 30 years.”
Tickets for all concerts are on sale now via https://www.nycos.co.uk/events/
