The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to music-making and programme planning. Formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community, it is also one of Scotland’s foremost cultural ambassadors. The Orchestra performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland, and appears regularly at the Edinburgh, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and the BBC Proms. Its busy international touring schedule has recently included Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the USA.

Following several successful concerts with the Orchestra over recent years, Estonian conductor Olari Elts took up the position of Principal Guest Conductor this Season. He conducts four concert weeks in the 07/08 Season including the premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s A Prayer out of Stillness; a musical portrait of Schubert and the season finale – Nelson and Napoleon.

The SCO’s long-standing relationship with Conductor Laureate Sir Charles Mackerras has resulted in many exceptional performances and recordings over the years, particularly at the Edinburgh International Festival where they have established an enviable reputation for concert performances of opera. Their recordings together include seven Mozart operas, a Grammy-nominated set of Brahms’ Symphonies, the full cycle of Beethoven Symphonies (with the Philharmonia Orchestra), four CDs of Mozart Piano Concertos with Alfred Brendel, Mozart’s Requiem and a disc of Kodály and Bartók for Linn Records.

Following nine successful years as Principal Conductor, Joseph Swensen became the Orchestra’s Conductor Emeritus in 2005. Swensen has developed a unique relationship with the SCO as soloist as well as conductor and he and the SCO have released five CDs together through the Orchestra’s partnership with Linn Records.

Other conductors who appear regularly with the SCO include Nicholas McGegan, Andrew Litton, Frans Brüggen, John Storgårds and Thierry Fischer.

The Orchestra enjoys close relationships with many leading composers and has commissioned more than a hundred new works, including pieces by Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Edward Harper, James MacMillan, Haflidi Hallgrímsson, Einojuhani Rautavaara and Stuart MacRae.

The Orchestra plays a prominent role in the Edinburgh Festival. In 2005, it was awarded a Bank of Scotland Archangel by The Herald in recognition of its sustained quality contribution to the Festival.

The SCO has led the way in music education with a unique programme of projects. SCO Education provides workshops for children and adults across Scotland and has attracted interest and invitations from overseas.

The Orchestra broadcasts regularly and has a discography now exceeding 140 recordings. SCO recordings are available by mail order or by phoning 0845 270 1812 (Visa and Mastercard).  Please email your name and postal address to info@sco.org.uk to order a Recordings Catalogue.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra receives funding from the Scottish Government.

Book the SCO

If you would like to engage the Scottish Chamber Orchestra please email Judith Colman, Concerts Director, or call her on 0131 478 8334.

Click on players' names to view photos and short biographies.