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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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

  4. 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.
  5. Illustration of musicians and children

    Big Ears, Little Ears at V&A Dundee

    Summer Tour

    Dundee
    These interactive performances are playful, multi-sensory introductions to live orchestral music.

  6. Dementia-Friendly Concert

    Summer Tour

    Glenrothes
    Our popular dementia-friendly concerts take pride of place in our Summer Tour.
  7. Moira Morrison leads a small group in Craigmillar Castle

    Make Music Day

    Community

    Edinburgh
    Make Music Day, which takes every year, encourages everyone to participate in music!

  8. Duruflé Requiem

    –

    Summer Tour

    Edinburgh
    St Andrews
    Join the SCO Chorus for an evening of profound beauty and spiritual depth.

  9. Summer Classics

    –

    Summer Tour

    Oban
    Callander
    Kingussie
    ...and more!
    An evening of wit and Mediterranean warmth awaits you, as Lucas Macías conducts a programme that lets our wind soloists truly shine.

  10. Highland Classics

    –

    Summer Tour

    Inverness
    Findhorn
    Blair Atholl
    This summer, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra brings a sparkling programme of classical favourites and virtuosic flair to Highlands audiences.

8 Latest videos  

Peter Franks plays the trumper. He wears glasses and a black suit and tie.

26/27 Season Trailer

00:38

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

26/27 Season Concerts

Explore more
  1. An illustration of a moon and pink stars

    Chorus Christmas Concert

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Return to the serenity of Greyfriars Kirk for an evening of reflection and warmth in one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric spaces.
  2. Cerys and Cebrian in costume as their Gaboon characters with their instruments performing.

    The Great Grumpy Gaboon

    –

    Community

    Dundee
    Aberdeen
    Glasgow
    After three sold-out seasons, the Great Grumpy Gaboon is back and ready to take you on a spellbinding adventure.
  3. Maxim plays a recorder like instrument to a full crowd.

    Baroque Inspirations

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Join Maxim Emelyanychev for an evening of contrasts and connections, where timeless style sparks fresh creativity.
  4. An illustartion of two young lovers dancing under chandeliers with pink stars surrounding them and moonlight.

    Viennese New Year

    –

    Matinee

    Edinburgh
    Aberdeen
    Step into the sparkling elegance of a Viennese ballroom as we welcome the New Year in style.
  5. Benedetti smiles as she plays the violin. She weard a sleeveless light dress.

    Brahms Double Concerto

    –

    Perth
    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    To close the Season we invite you to an extraordinary evening centred on one of the jewels of the Romantic repertoire.
  6. Roderick sings with the orchestra playing behind. He wears a white unbuttoned shirt and a black jacket.

    Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Conducted by Andrew Manze, this performance is a rare opportunity to hear Beethoven’s monumental setting of the Mass.
  7. Vaclav Luks conducts. He points off to the right. He wears a patterened tie, glasses and a black jacket.

    Mozart's 'Turkish' Concerto

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    A concert full of colour and character awaits with a programme that dances between Hungarian fire and Viennese grace.
  8. Lorenza Borrani plays the violin while the orchestra plays behind.

    The Seasons: Schumann & the Mendelssohns

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    A celebration of spring and renewal, with the music of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn alongside Schumann’s radiant ‘Spring’ Symphony.
  9. Carolyn Sampson sings and Maxim conducts while the orchestra play behind them. Carolyn wears a sleeveless dress and Maxim wears a dark suit with an unbuttoned white shirt.

    La Voix humaine

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Acclaimed soprano Carolyn Sampson brings this emotional tour de force to vivid life.
  10. Pekka plays to the audience - the orchestra perform behind him. He wears light glasses and a black long shirt.

    Beethoven Violin Concerto

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Aberdeen
    We join forces again with longstanding collaborator Pekka Kuusisto, who performs and directs a programme rich in invention and charm.
All particpants in the Music for Life films headshots.

Music for Life

Learning & Participation

To mark the launch of our new season, we’re delighted to share some stories about the profound, lasting impact of our Learning & Participation work, told in the voices of the people who experience it first-hand.

Learn more

6 Music for Life  

All particpants in the Music for Life films headshots.

Music for Life

01:43

Daniel talks to the camera. He wears a dark shirt.

Daniel Abrahams

02:53

Jane Bentley talks to the camera. She wears a necklace and a bandana.

Jane Bentley

02:52

Kenny looks to camera he wears glasses and a grey cardigan.

Kenny Moffat

02:22

Sarah talks to the camera she wears a spotted dress.

Sarah Duncan

03:20

Zac smiles to camera. He wears a black jumper over a white shirt.

Zac Nedumpully

01:37

A triptych of images of players. featuring Cerys Ambrose Evans, Shaun Harrold and Rachel Smith

Savings

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

Save 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
Donald plays the cello

Your 26/27 Season

Our 2026/27 Season celebrates the power of music to inspire, connect and transform. We look forward to showcasing our core orchestral repertoire, bold contemporary music and deep-rooted community engagement.

Explore today
Mari Samuelson leans back and plays the vilin she wears a long black dress.

New Dimensions

Explore new sound worlds

Experience visionary composers and genre-defying works that challenge tradition and reimagine the concert experience.

6 Concerts
2 Cities
An anatomical drawing of a human body.

Silent Teachers

Celebrating 300 Years of the Edinburgh Medical School

We partner with the University of Edinburgh to mark 300 years of medical education at Edinburgh Medical School to create a new film.

1 Film
Online
Learn 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.

Website aids.
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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.

Latest news

View all news

  1. Visions of the afterlife: the Requiem Mass

    11 May 2026

    Depending on whom you ask, death can be comforting or inspire holy terror, including in composers writing a Mass for the Dead.
    Read More

  2. Beethoven's Seventh: the apotheosis of the dance?

    27 April 2026

    How has Wagner's epithet affected the way we approach this favourite Beethoven symphony?
    Read More

  3. Silent Teachers

    23 April 2026

    Read about our collaboration with Edinburgh Medical School, celebrating its 300th anniversary.
    Read More

  4. Beethoven 200

    23 April 2026

    Join us as we mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death next Season.
    Read More

  5. Maxim extends his SCO contract

    23 April 2026

    Wonderful news from our Principal Conductor!
    Read More

  6. Music For Life

    23 April 2026

    Five short films on the SCO's work in the wider community
    Read More

  7. Introducing our 2026/27 Season!

    23 April 2026

    Discover all the treats we have in store next Season ...
    Read More

  8. Mozart and the development of the piano concerto

    20 April 2026

    How one composer almost single-handedly raised the piano concerto to unprecedented heights
    Read More
  9. Beethoven, Schubert and Mahler illustrated from left to right

    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

  10. 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

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