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
![Conductor François Leleux smiling at the camera, holding the baton, against a dark background with shapes in different shades of green.]()
Mozart & Strauss
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Matinee
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Aberdeen
Deeply charismatic oboist and conductor François Leleux directs Mozart’s cheeky Bassoon Concerto, and music by the teenage Richard Strauss.![Chorus members photographed from above, holding their sheet music.]()
Seven Last Words
Choral
Edinburgh
A choral contemplation of loss and rebirth from Scotland’s greatest living composer, Sir James MacMillan, performed by the SCO Chorus.![Shot from behind a violinist playing to the audience at a dementia-friendly concert.]()
Tea Dance Concerts
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Edinburgh
Dumfries
...and more!
Enjoy an afternoon of music and join our musicians as they perform a programme designed especially for people living with dementia.![]()
Big Ears, Little Ears
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Matinee
St Andrews
Perth
Big Ears, Little Ears is our relaxed concert series for children under the age of five and their grown-ups.![Stephanie Gonley plays the violin.]()
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante
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St Andrews
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Stephanie Gonley, leads an evening of innovation, virtuosity, and timeless classics.![Pianist Yeol Eum Son standing with her arms crossed elegantly, lightly smiling at the camera, against a dark green background with a lighter green circle.]()
Yeol Eum Son plays Beethoven
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Choral
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Yeol Eum Son makes a welcome return with Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, in a concert that reaches its climax with Haydn’s ‘Nelson’ Mass.![Violinist Nicola Benedetti, leaning on one arm with her head resting on the other hand, smiling at the camera against a dark background with light pink and green shapes.]()
Benedetti plays Brahms
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Perth
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Nicola Benedetti joins charismatic Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev for an end-of-Season celebration full of romance and adventure.![]()
SCO Wind Soloists in Concert
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Summer Tour
Kames
Kilmelford
Crianlarich
...and more!
Join our Wind Soloists for an intimate and captivating evening of music in Kames, Kilmelford, Crianlarich and Gartmore.![]()
Summer Serenade
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Summer Tour
Brechin
Fochabers
Fortrose
Experience an unforgettable evening as the SCO Strings take you on a journey through vibrant rhythms, tender romance and timeless beauty.![Sean shibe hold his guitar. He wears a white shirt with a high colour]()
SCO at East Neuk Festival: Opening Concert
Summer Tour
St Monans
The SCO have appeared at every ENF, so who better to open this 20th Festival?
12 Latest videos
25/26 Trailer
1:59
Max Mandel
5:33
Cerys Ambrose-Evans
4:18
Marta Gómez
4:10
Katherine Bryer
2:59
Eric de Wit
4:22
Summer Tour 2025 Trailer
0:42
Supporting the SCO
2:37
Seascape
7:35
Serenade in Seven Colours
10:00
Novelletten
13:58
Principal Guest Conductor
3:09
Latest news
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Haydn's lost joke
1 April 2025
Could there be more to the Farewell Symphony than meets the eye?![]()
2025/26 Season highlights
20 March 2025
Don't know where to start with the new Season? We have a few starting points for you.![Three men, the first two in 18th century formal dress (one in black and white, one in a red coat), the last in an old photo, smoking]()
What is a sinfonia concertante?
17 March 2025
We delve into the history of a hybrid genre ...![Composer Ruth Gipps leaning forward with both hands gently touching her face.]()
Digital Season: Gipps Seascape
7 March 2025
Read the programme note for our online performance of Gipps' Seascape![]()
The bassoon concerto
3 March 2025
For the last article in our concerto series (for now), we turn to an instrument too often dismissed as the orchestra's resident joker.![]()
The tortured tale of Schumann's Violin Concerto
24 February 2025
Or, how suppressing a work for 80 years can affect its long-term fortunes.![]()
The double bass concerto
17 February 2025
We complete our survey of the concerto for stringed instruments with the double bass. It's not just about jazz!![]()
Musical folk tales
10 February 2025
It's the 19th century and musical retellings of Greek myths are out. Enter the European folk tale ...![]()
SCO announces Summer Tour 2025
7 February 2025
The Orchestra is touring Scotland this summer, with 7 programmes across 20 venues.![]()
Once upon a time: music with a narrative
3 February 2025
How do composers set about telling a story in music? We look at a few examples.
