For further information contact us or see FAQ on theNYCoS 2013 page of the NYCoS websitewww.nycos.co.uk

Course staffNYCoS Scotland will be led by a team of experiencedstaff including Mark Evans, Conductor and AndrewNunn, NYCoS Conducting Fellow, and conductor ofthe award winning choir Les Sirènes. NYCoS TrainingChoir will be led by Frikki Walker, Director of Music atSt Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow. He has extensiveexperience of working with young voices and has forthe last two years worked with the NYCoS NationalBoys Choir. Margaret Izatt, a member of theDepartment of Vocal Studies at the RoyalConservatoire of Scotland, will head the team of vocalcoaches, all highly respected in their field. The CourseDirector is Ruth Townsend, and she leads a team ofqualified and experienced house staff.

National Youth Choir of Scotland The Mitchell, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DNTelephone: 0141 287 2856 Fax: 0141 287 2858 e-mail: admin@nycos.co.uk

www.nycos.co.ukScottish Charity No: SC024899 Registered in Scotland No: SC165149 Do

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Eoin Carey

Over the last seventeen summers, the National Youth Choir of Scotland hasestablished itself as one of the leading youth music organisations in Great Britain.Its outstanding performances in 2011, ranging from appearances with the KronosQuartet, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Edinburgh International Festivaland the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a Gala performance of WaltonBelshazzar’s Feast were recognised in May 2012 with an award from the RoyalPhilharmonic Society in London.

We are inviting applications for membership ofNYCoS and NYCoS Training Choir 2013 fromsingers aged between 16 and 24 born, studying orliving in Scotland.

“a world class choral performance” Michael Tumelty, The Herald (Duruflé with SCO, EIF 2011)

“a very fine performance indeed” Keith Bruce, The Herald (Requiem by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012)

Photographs: Top right – NYCoS Artistic Director, Christopher Bell accepts a RPS Music Award. Above – NYCoS at StGiles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh. Front page – NYCoS outside the Albert Hall, London at the BBC Proms.

NYCoS2013 is directed by NYCoS Artistic Director, Christopher Bell. In early July 2013 the choirwilll be touring to central Europe. Places for this tour were allocated last year, but there may be afew reserve places to be filled. In addition NYCoS2013 will be undertaking two high profileperformances in August and September for which additional singers will be needed. So if you arean experienced singer, and would like to be considered for the tour and/or additional engagements,please apply online for NYCoS2013.

NYCoS Scotland In a NYCoS Tour year there is an additional NYCoS Choir undertaking theresidential course and concerts. This choir is for new applicants with the relevant experience andsingers from last year’s Training Choir who are ready to move to a more advanced level.

NYCoS Scotland Dates (members must be available for all dates) 30 June - 6 July: summer course8 - 14 July: Birmingham and London appearances15 - 17 August: concert in Edinburgh23 - 24 August: concert in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh25 - 29 September: concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow

NYCoS Training Choir (SATB) is the first step to becoming a full member of NYCoS. We expectTC2013 to be one of the biggest we have had, and so it will be undertaking a more wide-rangingconcert schedule culminating in a candlelit concert in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh during theEdinburgh Festival Fringe. (See photograph on back page)

TC Dates (members must be available for all dates) 30 June - 6 July: summer course and concerts 23 August: candlelit concert in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

The Summer CourseBoth NYCoS and Training Choir activities stem from a residential course, which will run from 30June - 6 July at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. The seven days are full of intense musicalactivity, vocal coaching, individual singing lessons and full choir rehearsals mixed with recreation

time and informal concerts. Members receive individual singing lessons from top-flight singerscurrently singing professionally and teaching to the highest standards. We work hard, but we playhard too. The school has full sports facilities and a swimming pool, and there will be lots of timeto enjoy them. There is also a formal dinner where members dress up and dance the night away.

Am I good enough?This is the question most frequently asked by applicants when they phone our office or speakwith their teachers. If you are enthusiastic about singing, enjoy it and are prepared to work hardto sing to your full potential we would like to hear you.

How do I apply?The preferred way to apply for NYCoS Choirs in 2013 is online at www.nycos.co.uk/national-choirs. Alternatively you can download an application form from our website, and post it to theNYCoS office. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 January 2013.

All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not received acknowledgement withinseven days of applying, please call the NYCoS office to check that it has arrived safely.

AuditionsThe auditions will be held during 7, 8, 9, 21 and22 March in Edinburgh and Glasgow and,depending on the number of applications in eacharea, may also be held in Aberdeen, Dumfries,Dundee and Inverness.

You will be invited to come to an informal auditionwhere you will be asked to sing a song you haveprepared, sing at sight and sing some scales toestablish your range. Whilst ability to sing at sight isdesirable, you should not be deterred from applying ifyour sight singing is currently weak. Your singingteacher or class teacher should advise you on yourchoice of song. It is not advisable to sing songs fromshows (Cats, Les Miserables etc), as these do notalways show off your full vocal potential. All applicantswill be offered an audition so start practising now!

The price of successMembership of NYCoS Scotland is £495 and NYCoSTraining Choir is £460. This fee is inclusive of full boardaccommodation at Merchiston Castle School, provisionof music, and vocal coaching. A number of localauthorities, schools, universities, colleges, educationaltrusts and firms have assisted members with fees inthe past.

Don’t be put off by the cost as financial assistance isoften available.

Louise Davis