Tickets are now on sale for the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) tour of Europe in late July. Widely acclaimed as one of the best choirs in the world, regardless of age, they are set to bring performances of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and American composer Stacy Garrop’s Sonnets of Desire, Longing, and Whimsy.
Between 25th and 30th July, the choir, that is famed for its high-energy performances under the artistic direction of Christopher Bell, performs a collection of rich choral work with Michael Bawtree on organ. These performances will take place at St. Lawrence’s Parish Church in York as part of the Ryedale Festival; Église St. Eustache in Paris; St. Rumbold’s Cathedral in Mechelen, Belgium and St. Nicholaas Basilica in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The choir then returns to the Capital to finish the tour in Edinburgh this August.
For many singers, being a part of NYCOS is a life-changing experience and this tour is set to be special for many members as they head into their last year as part of the ensemble. It is also one of the most experienced groups that NYCOS has toured, as it is made up of the leavers who are now in their mid-twenties, having notched up nearly 10 years of singing together.
In a cosmopolitan trip to European capital cities, a particular highlight is set to be its concert in Paris, where Scotland’s young singers perform in the Église St. Eustache. Gregorian chant and the emotion of Duruflé’s writing combine in his Requiem to fill this beautiful 17th-century church situated in the 1st arrondissement with mesmerising sound.
The choir’s summer culminates in a performance at the Edinburgh International Festival on Sunday 13th August in a favourite venue for them, the Usher Hall. NYCOS will be joined by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra alongside former members of the choir – Cardiff Singer of the World 2017 Catriona Morison and member of Academia Teatro all Scala in Milan in 2019-20 Paul Grant – as soloists.
In a special open access session at 4pm preceding the concert, Christopher Bell will give audiences a rare glimpse into the musicianship technique at NYCOS. Masters of the Kodály method of music teaching devised by Hungarian musicologist Zoltán Kodály in the mid-20th century, Bell and 200 young singers will explore and explain the method which has been central to the work of NYCOS for 25 years, before performing their last concert of the tour.
Artistic Director of National Youth Choir of Scotland Christopher Bell said “The National Youth Choir of Scotland combines the best of singing with the energy, enthusiasm and passion of youth. Audiences, world renowned conductors and orchestras have been delighted to hear the quality of sound and experience the commitment of Scotland’s young people. Please join us for what promises to be five outstanding performances this summer.’’
Tickets for the full tour are on sale now at
Sunday 13th August 2023
Edinburgh International Festival (with Royal Scottish National Orchestra)
5pm (with 4pm Kodály method demonstration)
Usher Hall
Edinburgh
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 