Tickets on sale now: Go cosmic this summer with Scotland’s national youth orchestra

This will be closely followed by two pop-up appearances at Dynamic Earth Edinburgh, on Saturday 11 July at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, and a matinee performance at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall at 3pm on Sunday 12 July.

Conducted by Rebecca Miller, this summer’s concerts are a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the best of young Scottish talent on home turf and to hear The Planets performed by a huge orchestra, alongside cutting-edge contemporary works by female composers – Gravitational Waves by Iris ter Schiphorst and Laniakea by Camille Pépin.

NYOS’ concerts come at a time when audiences are demonstrating an increased interest in orchestral music. To showcase classical music to broader audiences, the NYOS orchestra is also stepping offstage to perform selected movements from The Planets in a series of pop-up performances at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s world-class science centre and planetarium. These performances, taking place on Saturday 11 July, are free to attend and offer both music lovers and science enthusiasts the opportunity to experience live orchestral music in a truly unique setting.

The leader of this year’s orchestra, Lucy Hanson said: “The Planets is undoubtedly one of the most beloved pieces of classical music – everyone has their favourite movements and sections. The music comes to life onstage and there’s no experience like it, for both audiences and musicians. In that moment, as the orchestra plays, we transcend so many different barriers together and the music becomes a language that we all speak.”

Not to be missed

NYOS continues to grow from strength to strength following last year’s first international tour in a decade, which included a sold-out performance at Berlin’s Young Euro Classic Festival. For many young Scottish musicians, taking part in NYOS is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

NYOS musicians continue to make their mark on the landscape of Scottish orchestral music. From illustrious alumni like Nicola Benedetti and Colin Currie to recent participants including Alasdair Cottee and Finn Mannion, both of whom reached the grand final of BBC Radio Scotland’s 2026 Young Classical Musician, being a part of NYOS sets young people on a path to performance and development opportunities like no other.

Reflecting on her time with NYOS thus far, Lucy said: “I’ve been involved with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland for almost ten years now, and it’s no exaggeration to say that NYOS has been one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys of my life so far. Having begun at the back of my section in my first year, it truly feels like a full-circle moment to now be leading the orchestra.”

Booking tickets, making dreams come true

With nearly 50 years’ experience of supporting young musicians to reach their full potential, NYOS firmly believes that financial circumstances should never be a barrier to opportunities, and half of this year’s orchestra members receive financial support to facilitate their participation. By attending the concerts in Perth and at the Usher Hall, you too are supporting the current and next generations of outstanding talent.

Kirsteen Davidson Kelly, NYOS Chief Executive and Artistic Director said: “NYOS empowers talented young people from every part of Scotland to realise their potential, both as musicians and as people. At the pinnacle of Scotland’s youth music pathway, we bring together the country’s most promising young performers, providing world-class orchestral training and extraordinary performance opportunities. We know that talent is everywhere, and we are committed to ensuring that every young person with the passion and potential to succeed can access these life-changing experiences, regardless of their background or where they live.”

You can book tickets to the July events here – come and celebrate Scotland’s outstanding youth musical talent this summer.