Arts / Shetland singers sought for Scottish national youth choir
KEEN YOUNG singers from Shetland are being urged to put their names forward for the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) for 2026.
With the choir set to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, it is keen to include singers from the isles to help mark the momentous occasion.
Auditions are done free of charge, and can even be carried out online. And NYCOS has said it will contribute to travel costs for any Shetlander who wanted to travel down.
Shetlander Ellen Smith is also a successful former member of the choir, who went on to study singing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and then to Manchester to study opera.
Despite Smith’s success and the potential for travel reimbursements, NYCOS has received no applications from Shetland for its 2026 courses.
With the 31 October deadline set to be extended, artistic director Christopher Bell said this was young people’s chance to represent Scotland on the big stage.
“Young Shetland singers are missing out and we don’t know why, as we send the information to schools and community groups,” he said.
“We have 100 per cent bursaries, including amounts to cover travel, if there is a need.
“Our auditions can be online, and can also be pre-recorded, so there is no barrier to being involved.
“In joining a NYCOS national choir, singers get the chance to tour Scotland and internationally, to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival and occasionally the BBC Proms in London.”
Bell added this was “an exciting prospect for Scotland’s young singers”, with the boys’ choir running from ages 10-17 and the girls’ choir from ages 12-17.
The NYCOS is from ages 16-25.
He said all they need from people is a wish to develop their singing, with residential courses with likeminded singing enthusiasts offered.
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