Festival time is upon us! And we’re delighted to offer free tickets to Welcoming participants.
To book your free tickets, email [email protected] with your membership number, full name and name of show(s) you would like to attend.
All free tickets are subject to availability.
The Standard Life Opening Event: Deep Time
3 August | Festival Square | 10.30pm
A spectacular outdoor event to celebrate the start of the 2018 festival. Inspired by themes of communication including telegrams sent by young soldiers in 1918, Five Telegrams weaves a newly commissioned orchestral score, projected digital artworks and live participation together to consider themes of machines and codes, censorship, propaganda and reconciliation – ideas that resonate powerfully in contemporary life.
Free bus tickets available –if you need one please say so when booking!
Eurovision Young Musicians 2018: Competition Final
23 August | Usher Hall | 7pm
The Competition Final will be broadcast across Europe from the Usher Hall with the winner chosen by a jury that will include Sir James MacMillan and Marin Alsop. Each of the six finalists will perform a concerto movement with the BBC Scottish Symphony conducted by Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard.
National Youth Choir of Scotland
5 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 3pm
The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) is made up of young singers aged 16-25 and currently has over 100 members from all over Scotland. The choir will perform a diverse range of music including songs about the London Underground and music by the world-famous composer Eric Whitacre.
National Youth Jazz Orchestra (USA)
5 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 8pm
Grammy award-winning jazz singer, Dianne Reeves joins the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of the USA to perform a wide range of music, from Duke Ellington and Count Basie to hip-hop and R&B. Led by trumpet player, Sean Jones, NYO-Jazz is made up of young musicians aged 16-19 and is based at Carnegie Hall in New York.
YOA Orchestra of the Americas
7 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 7.30pm
With musicians from all over North and South America, the YOA Orchestra of the Americas is a group of young musicians aged between 18 and 30. World-renowned pianist Gabriela Montero will join the orchestra, to play music which depicts the hustle and bustle of India!
National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
9 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 5pm
Discover the beautiful, vivid music of French composer Debussy with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. The orchestra is made up of young musicians aged 25 and under, and its previous members include famous Scottish percussionists Evelyn Glennie and Colin Currie.
National Youth Orchestra of Canada
14 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 8pm
The National Youth Orchestra of Canada perform a breath-taking programme including a brand new piece of music by Canadian composer, John Estacio. The orchestra has played in the USA, China, Europe and Japan and is made up of young musicians aged from 16 to 28.
Colburn Orchestra
20 August 2018 | Usher Hall | 7.30pm
All the way from Los Angeles, the Colburn Orchestra is one of the world’s most exciting youth ensembles. They will perform with supremely talented young violinist, Simone Porter, and this exciting programme will be a truly inspirational experience for young audiences.