SCO Academy
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.
The SCO Academy programme will resume in Autumn 2026.
This was an excellent opportunity for me to play with a live orchestra and with others with a similar passion for music as me. It was brilliant!
SCO Academy Spring 2024
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.
