SCO Academy 25/26

The SCO Academy provides a unique opportunity for aspiring young musicians to rehearse and perform side-by-side with the Orchestra under the guidance of SCO musicians and conductors.

The 25/26 SCO Academy will be delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council Instrumental Music Service (IMS), Glasgow Create, St Mary’s Music School and Douglas Academy. The Academy is open to string players aged 12 to 18 who have been playing for at least 1 year, no matter what grade they are.

Our Associate Composer, Jay Capperauld, has been commissioned to create a multi-ability piece that the SCO Academy players will perform side by side with players from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. We invite young string players of all abilities to attend our free workshops, which will provide them with insight into the composition process and the opportunity to have their ideas incorporated into the final piece.

If you know a young person who...:

• Plays a string instrument and has played for at least one year
• Is aged between 12 and 18 years old
• Receives lessons through Glasgow CREATE or the City of Edinburgh Council Instrumental Music Service

...then get them involved! To sign up, please complete one of the registration forms below.

Privacy Statement: The SCO are the data controller for the personal information you have provided. We will protect the privacy of the Participant, will not collect any more information from you than we require, and will process all data in a clear and transparent way.

Information Processing: All data processing carried out by the SCO is permitted by the GDPR and is held in many formats that may include personal details, name, address, DOB, email, phone numbers, next of kin, emergency contact numbers, gender, medical information, photograph, audio and audio-visual recording of activity

Data Sharing: Data relating to participants will only be shared amongst company personnel where it is necessary for them to have this to undertake their duties.

Data right: You have the right to be informed, the right to access data, to correct inaccuracies, to have information deleted, the right to portability, to object to the inclusion of information, and to withdraw any consents at any time.

Through learning new skills, gaining unique experiences, and creating music with peers and inspirational professionals, the SCO Academy helps young people to better understand their musical selves and encourages musical progression.

The Academy also enables young musicians to complement their regular music-making activities by working alongside SCO musicians and conductors on a special season concert programme.

Each Academy involves sectionals, coaching and rehearsals, culminating in a performance as part of the Orchestra’s season programme.

Featuring Vaughan Williams’ Concerto Grosso with conductor Andrew Manze

Our 2024 SCO Academy programme, delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council Instrumental Music Service, Glasgow CREATE and students and staff from St Mary’s Music School, provided a unique opportunity for aspiring young IMS musicians to rehearse and perform side-by-side with the Orchestra under the guidance of SCO musicians and conductors.

In May 2024, acclaimed Vaughan Williams conductor Andrew Manze led a programme of the composer's music as part of the SCO’s 23/24 Concert Season. Young string players sat alongside our SCO musicians on the concert platform and worked with Andrew to perform Vaughan Williams’ Concerto Grosso.

The Concerto Grosso, a 14-minute piece in five movements, is uniquely composed for all skill levels with the orchestra divided into three sections based on skill: Concertino (Advanced), Tutti (Intermediate), and Ad Lib (Novice, open strings only).

Kindly supported by the Penpont Charitable Trust, the Radcliffe Trust, and the Vaughan Williams Foundation.