National Youth Choir of Scotland makes headlines with hilltop singing

Harriet Clifford
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Making front-page news, NYCOS came together with founder and conductor Christopher Bell to sing on Calton Hill at 6am after 14 months of Zoom rehearsals.

NYCOS on Calton Hill, 17 May
NYCOS on Calton Hill, 17 May

Ian Georgeson

On 17 May, twenty-nine members of the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) sang together in person for the first time since March 2020 in an early morning event broadcast around the UK. 

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the front page of The Scotsman, and making countless headlines, the youth choir met on Calton Hill in Edinburgh to sing Vaughan Williams' Let all the World in Every Corner Sing and Greg Gilpin’s Why We Sing. 

COVID-19 restrictions in most of Scotland were lifted to Level 2 on 17 May, meaning that up to 30 people can meet outside to sing. 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, NYCOS has been providing singing opportunities for 16- to 24-year-olds since 1996, and now comprises seven national choirs and 15 regional choirs. 

Christopher Bell, founder and artistic director of NYCOS said: ‘NYCOS is the organisation dedicated to encouraging singing for young people the length and breadth of Scotland. 

‘It has been incredibly hard to not be able to truly nurture the talent that exists here in Scotland over these past 14 months, and to see the effect that not being able to meet and sing has had on our wonderful singers/musical family. 

‘Being part of NYCOS and being able to sing with their peers from across the country is an incredibly important part of their young lives, with all the health, development and wellbeing benefits that singing brings.’

Mollie Quigley, who took part in the 6am rehearsal, said: ‘We are all excited to be back singing all together again. A lot of us have sung together for 10 years and it is good to hear everyone finally back together again. On Zoom it doesn’t feel like you’re singing together, it feels isolated. This morning has been wonderful hearing everyone together again.’

Marcus Wylie added: ‘It has been great seeing everyone together again this morning. On Zoom you cannot hear the harmonies and it is not the same as being together with your friends. This morning has been amazing and I'm looking forward to lots more singing now this year.’

The outdoor rehearsal marked the start of in-person rehearsals again for members of the NYCOS National Choirs, NYCOS, National Boys Choir and National Girls Choir will practise outside in areas which are Level 2 or lower. 

www.nycos.co.uk