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Schools Go Free

We offer complimentary tickets to school teachers and instrumental tutors who wish to bring a group of young people to SCO Season concerts. Presented and performed by world-class artists, our Season concerts offer a variety of fantastic musical adventures.

See What's On for further details of our concert Season. In the first instance, please email your ticket request to ticketing@sco.org.uk at least two weeks prior to the concert you wish to book. Please include the number of students, responsible adults and any access requirements.

For small groups there is limited availability to the majority of our concerts however below are the concerts where we can take larger groups, based on availability.

Selected Schools Go Free Concerts

  1. Maxim conducts the orchestra with the chorus singing behind.

    Bach St Matthew Passion

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    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    To mark 300 years since its first performance, we present Bach’s St Matthew Passion at the heart of our 2026/27 Season.
  2. Mari Samuelson holds the violin and wears a long black dress.

    Max Richter+

    –

    New Dimensions

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Explore the music of Max Richter, whose work bridges minimalism, electronica and cinematic sound to reshape the classical landscape.
  3. Sheku holds the cello in one hand and an outstretched bow in the other while facing to the right.

    Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Haydn

    –

    Community

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Expect bold ideas, youthful energy and unforgettable talent in a concert that bridges generations.
  4. Cerys Ambrose-Evans and Alison Green shown with their bassoons. They wear dark outfits.

    Side by Side

    –

    Matinee

    Glasgow
    Edinburgh
    Celebrate the vibrant colours and character of wind music as players from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland join SCO Wind Soloists.
  5. Sir Stephen Hough wears a black shirt and looks off to the right at his piano.

    The Magic of Mendelssohn

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Prepare for an evening of unadulterated Romanticism as the SCO celebrates the genius of Felix Mendelssohn.
  6. A stormscape with pink lightning coming down.

    Classical Revolution

    –

    Matinee

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Aberdeen
    Discover the elegance and energy of the Classical era in this illuminating programme tracing the evolution of the symphony.
  7. Lorenza plays her violin in front of a painting. Her eyes closed.

    Beethoven Symphonies

    –

    Matinee

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Experience Beethoven’s genius in a programme led by the incomparable Lorenza Borrani.
  8. The four members of Brooklyn Rider pose in various positions in dark clothing.

    SCO x Brooklyn Rider

    –

    New Dimensions

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    A bold collaboration with the genre-defying string quartet Brooklyn Rider, bringing together music of intensity, innovation and edge.
  9. Raphael Pichon stands and faces the right he is wearing a black suit

    A Celebration of Schubert

    –

    Choral

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Conductor Raphaël Pichon makes his SCO debut, bringing a distinctive vision to this celebration of Franz Schubert’s enduring legacy.
  10. Alena smiles and faces the camera with a violin clutched close to her.

    Prokofiev & Bartók with Alena Baeva

    –

    Matinee

    St Andrews
    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Alena Baeva returns to Scotland to direct a matinee performance full of energy, elegance and drama.
  11. Hakan Hardenberger

    Beethoven Deconstructed

    –

    New Dimensions

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    For the final instalment of our 2026/27 New Dimensions series, we journey deep into Beethoven’s creative universe.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Sunwook rests his head on his hands. His image reflects above on the open piano case.

    Beethoven Piano Concertos

    –

    Edinburgh
    Glasgow
    Aberdeen
    Sunwook Kim brings a rare combination of elegance and authority to two of Beethoven’s most celebrated piano concertos.

Edinburgh Open Rehearsals

We also offer open rehearsals for some Edinburgh concerts. This is an opportunity for secondary music students to discover how great music comes together and experience the Orchestra’s rehearsal process. Students and teachers will also be given the opportunity to meet two SCO players before the rehearsal begins.

Learn more

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