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Maxim lead the Orchestra at the proms. The organ is visible and the backs of heads.
Maxim lead the Orchestra at the proms. The organ is visible and the backs of heads.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Welcome to the SCO. We have been inspiring audiences and connecting with communities since 1974, delivering diverse programmes that are open to all. Embrace the classics, discover exciting new music, and create beautiful musical memories with us!

Coming up

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  1. Jonian Ilias-Kadesha sits on some old stairs with a violin.

    Bohemian Rhapsodies

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Flamboyant Greek-Albanian violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha directs a concert dedicated to the gutsy glories of Czech music.
  2. Lawrence Power holds his viola. He wears a black suit.

    Baroque Threads, Contemporary Colours

    –

    St Andrews
    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Kaleidoscopic hues and big emotions sit side by side in this vibrant concert weaving together the Baroque era and the present day.
  3. An angel statue with a golden hue.

    Mozart Requiem

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Riccardo Minasi is joined by the excellent SCO Chorus and a brilliant line-up of vocal soloists for Mozart's Requiem.

  4. VIBE in the Borders

    –

    Workshop

    Galashiels
    A FREE music-making project for 30 students in S1-3 who love singing or playing an instrument.
  5. Philip Higham plays the cello. He wears a suit.

    Schumann Cello Concerto

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Aberdeen
    Join Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and exceptional SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham for this varied concert.
  6. A cross section photograph of a bridge

    Dvořák 'New World' Symphony

    –

    Perth
    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Join Maxim and the SCO musicians for an electrifying and emotional conclusion to the Season.

  7. Rhythms of Fire

    Summer Tour

    Dumfries
    Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating the power of music to move and inspire at Dumfries + Galloway Arts Festival.
  8. Maxim wears a suit and looks to the left of screen

    Beethoven's Symphony No.7

    Amsterdam
    Maxim Emelyanychev has a spotlight at the Concertgebouw this Season and will conduct Beethoven's Seventh.
  9. the seven SCO Young Singers' wear concert blacks and stand smiling with white backdrop

    Monteverdi Madrigals

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Outstanding singers from the SCO Chorus Young Singers’ Programme are joined by a small SCO ensemble.

  10. Cello Classics

    –

    Summer Tour

    Arbroath
    Aberdeen
    Fraserburgh
    ...and more!
    Experience the cello like never before with this vibrant programme led by SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham.

7 Latest videos  

A babys hand and fathers hand link.

The Night Watch

09:10

Bruckner's Skull

19:50

Summer Tour 2026

00:31

Against a red background, a man in a dark jacket and shirt looks out of frame. His face is illuminated by a light from above.

SCO New Music Fund

1:20

Silent Night

5:54

Jay sits admiring the filming of his work

Whisky Mouth

5:49

Image with Maxim conducting with cameras around

The Origin of Colour

14:50

Image with Maxim conducting with cameras around

Digital Season

Experience the SCO from home

Explore your 25/26 Digital Season filmed at Leith Theatre, and enjoy from the comfort of home.

3 Films
Online
Explore today

Summer Tour 2026

May-September

This summer, we are bringing world-class music to 26 towns and cities across Scotland. We look forward to performing at a venue near you.

11 tours
26 locations
explore today

For the Love of Music

Your 25/26 Season

This Season we honour our shared love of music through interviews with our players, exploring their connection to the music they play.

Explore today
Maxim Emelyanychev sits at the keys. He smiles off to his left. He wears a black suit and bowtie.

Matinees

We offer a series of matinee concerts throughout the Season, giving you the chance to enjoy the SCO in an afternoon performance.

8 Tours
Various venues
Discover more

Join In

Creative Learning Programme

We believe everyone deserves equal access to exceptional musical experiences. See how you can be part of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's mission.

Over 15 projects
Across Scotland
Discover more

Let's take a moment.

Unwind with the SCO from the comfort of your home. Listen through our extensive recorded catalogue on Spotify (or your preferred streaming platform) and enjoy our latest releases.

Listen on Spotify
Discounts

Full information on bookings and discounts can be found here.

For school group bookings,learn more here.

Accessibility

In collaboration with the venues we regularly perform in, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our performances. Learn more about venue access here.

What we offer:

Braille and large text brochure
If you would like to receive an accessible copy of our Season brochure, please Contact Us.

Discounts
For most SCO concerts, we offer 50% off full-price tickets to people with a disability and free tickets for carers.

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Digital Season

Our digital concerts are FREE and available to watch via our website and on our YouTube channel. You can find out more here.

Press

If you have a specific press enquiry or require images of artists, please contact our PR at maddie@rdmr.co.uk.

For anything else you can contact Will Fisher, Marketing and Communications Manager, at will.fisher@sco.org.uk

Learn more about the Orchestra here, get in touch to request an up-to-date biography, or browse our latest news.

Careers

Any job opportunities with the SCO will appear here. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Feedback

We hope every SCO concert is special and we value all feedback.

You can get in touch with us via social media, email, telephone, or through individual departments here.

Savings

Discover the discounts available to you. From multibuy offers to free child tickets, learn about the different ways you can save.

Save today

Latest news

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  1. Beethoven, Schuber tt and Mahler illustarrated from left to righ.

    The Curse of the Ninth

    13 April 2026

    You've composed nine symphonies. Do you start another, or would you fall foul to the dreaded Curse of the Ninth? [insert dramatic music]
    Read More

  2. A Tribute to Brian Schiele

    10 April 2026

    The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is deeply saddened by the death of Brian Schiele, a much-loved violist.
    Read More

  3. Gavin Reid elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

    7 April 2026

    Read More
  4. A man plays the cello, his bow on the string

    Philip Higham: "I’ve loved Schumann's Cello Concerto since I was young"

    6 April 2026

    We chat to our Principal Cello about Schumann, Widmann and much else besides ...
    Read More

  5. Digital Season: The Night Watch

    2 April 2026

    Read the programme note for our online performance of Jay Capperauld's Bruckner's Skull.
    Read More
  6. The SCO Chorus and Orchestra confucted by Maxim.

    The SCO Chorus' favourite masses

    30 March 2026

    How to choose among the hundreds of masses that have been written over the centuries? Let the SCO Chorus be your guide ...
    Read More

  7. The SCO Chorus on music for Lent

    29 March 2026

    With Easter just around the corner, we delve into perhaps the richest (and often darkest) choral repertoire of all ...
    Read More

  8. The viola comes out of the shadows

    23 March 2026

    How two British violists brought the instrument into the spotlight
    Read More

  9. Czech composers (beyond Dvořák)

    16 March 2026

    How many others can you name?
    Read More
  10. Francesca sits on a bench with a red brick wall behind her. She holds her viola and wears a black top and black trousers.

    Quickfire Questions with Francesca Gilbert

    9 March 2026

    Get to know the Orchestra's newest violist!
    Read More

Inspiring music making

We believe that access to world-class music is not a luxury but something that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy.

Your support helps to continue inspiring performances and ensures quality live music is reachable for future generations and accessible for all.

Support us