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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. VIBE in the Borders workshops

    –

    Workshop

    Galashiels
    Explore creative art and music-making in these free cross-arts workshops for ages 11-18.

  2. Baroque Inspirations

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Maxim Emelyanychev returns with an annual highlight of the SCO Season, rediscovering the musical splendours of the Baroque.
  3. Maxim Emelyanychev sits at the keys. He smiles off to his left. He wears a black suit and bowtie.

    Maxim & Friends

    Matinee

    Edinburgh
    Experience the exceptional artistry of SCO Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev as he showcases his passion for chamber music.
  4. Nicola Benedetti plays the violin.

    Benedetti plays Mendelssohn

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Mendelssohn’s exhilarating Violin Concerto is the ideal showcase for the world-renowned Scottish violin virtuoso’s consummate talents.

  5. Benedetti plays Mendelssohn (Inverness)

    Inverness
    Mendelssohn’s exhilarating Violin Concerto is the ideal showcase for the world-renowned Scottish violin virtuoso’s consummate talents.
  6. Lorenza Borrani smiles at the camera, holding her violin

    Borrani & Beethoven

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Lorenza Borrani returns for a second concert of the Season with an evening of wit, humour and magical evocations.
  7. Jess Gillam smiles up holding her saxophone.

    Saxophone Dreams with Jess Gillam

    –

    New Dimensions

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    St Andrews
    Jess Gillam brings her invigorating musical personality to a colourful and adventurous concert.
  8. Pekka plays the violin with a smile.

    Beethoven, Pekka & Dreamers’ Circus

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Aberdeen
    Classical and folk join forces for a celebration of dance, in this joyfully unconventional programme masterminded by Pekka Kuusisto.

  9. Big Ears, Little Ears

    St Andrews
    These interactive performances are playful, multi-sensory introductions to live orchestral music.
  10. Roderick Williams sings at the Proms with the Orchestra playing behind.

    The Language of Eden

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Andrew Manze conducts an evening of rapturous English music and striking new sounds, with Roderick Williams and the SCO Chorus.

Shape the Sound of the Future

New Music Fund

Do you enjoy contemporary music? Help us invest in the music of today and the masterpieces of tomorrow. Make a donation to our Big Give campaign between Thursday 12 February - Monday 30 March and every £1 will be matched to a total of £30,000!

Donate to our Big Give campaign

10 Latest videos  

Bruckner's Skull

19:50

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

Max Mandel smiles

Max Mandel

5:33

Cerys Ambrose-Evans Smiles

Cerys Ambrose-Evans

4:18

Marta Gomez Smiles

Marta Gómez

4:10

Kathryn Bryer Smiles

Katherine Bryer

2:59

Eric de Wit Smiles

Eric de Wit

4:22

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

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
Jess Gillam smiles up holding her saxophone.

New Dimensions

Exploring new sound worlds

Music for the mind, body and soul in a laid-back, informal concert format.

6 Concerts
2 Cities
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. The 2026 SCO Summer Tour is on sale!

    13 February 2026

    Looking for an excuse to explore Scotland this summer? See if you can catch the Orchestra on the road!
    Read More

  2. Digital Season: Bruckner's Skull

    12 February 2026

    Read the programme note for our online performance of Jay Capperauld's Bruckner's Skull.
    Read More

  3. The great Beethoven symphonies

    9 February 2026

    In which we bite the bullet and look at four unmissable works
    Read More

  4. Wrongfully marginalised: a history of women composers

    2 February 2026

    To celebrate International Women's Day, we look at the changing fortunes of women composers over the centuries.
    Read More

  5. Concert and insertion arias: a primer

    26 January 2026

    In which we look at the practice of exchanging one aria for another in operas - and not always for the best of reasons ...
    Read More

  6. A tribute to Caroline Garden

    21 January 2026

    We are sorry to announce the passing of Caroline Garden, a founding member of the Orchestra.
    Read More
  7. A violinist shown at three different ages: as a young man in a drawing, middle-aged in a painting and elderly in an old photo

    Joseph Joachim and the great German violin concertos

    19 January 2026

    Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Bruch and Brahms: four violin concertos, all connected by a single violinist.
    Read More

  8. The search for Beethoven's successor

    19 January 2026

    Beethoven died in 1827. Who would be worthy to take on his mantle?
    Read More

  9. Musical quotations

    19 January 2026

    Follow the thread as one composer quotes another ...
    Read More

  10. Composers' miracle years

    12 January 2026

    In which we look at times when a composer barely paused for breath between one work and the next
    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