Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society guest at RSNO opener
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, have been invited by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) to play for arriving guests at their season opening performance this weekend.
Both orchestras were featured in the 2026 RPS Awards, the ceremony for which was held in March in London.
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society (KOS) was the winner of the voter-decided Inspiration Award, which celebrates the work of amateur music-making groups across the country; the RSNO won the Ensemble Award, which recognises professional musical ensembles for outstanding quality and scope of performances and work.
Following conversations between the two orchestras about how their joint wins could be celebrated on Scottish soil, the RSNO has invited the players of community orchestra KOS to attend and play for the audience as they arrive in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for the orchestra’s season opener concert this Saturday.
The programme includes Mahler’s Sixth Symphony and Rachmaninov’s Fourth Piano Concerto.
The KOS performance, which is free to ticket holders attending the RSNO concert, will feature a suite of pieces from the orchestra’s repertoire, including Vaughan Williams’ Prelude to the 49th Parallel, original compositions from KOS Resident Composer John Gourlay, and finishing with excerpts from John Williams’ soundtrack to Star Wars.
Graeme Wilson, KOS Musical Director and Conductor, who this season marks 50 years at the community orchestra’s helm, said: “Another honour for the award-winning Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, hard on the heels of its Inspiration Award win at the Royal Philharmonic Society 2026 presentations.
“We are very grateful for this invitation to play a pre-concert recital for an ensemble as prestigious as the RSNO – it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for KOS players.
“I am very proud of the orchestra and its members for its achievements in 2026 as it starts its own 26/27 season, On Tour with KOS, featuring music from around the world.”
Alistair Mackie, RSNO Chief Executive, added: “It's great to welcome Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and celebrate our respective wins at the RPS Awards closer to home.
“This year's awards showcased a wealth of Scottish talent, and we'd like to extend huge congratulations to KOS on their win.
“I'm looking forward to hearing their members play at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as we mark the beginning of our 2026:27 Season.”
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society will be playing two concerts for the remainder of the year at Kirkcaldy’s Old Kirk, on Tuesday, October 6 and Sunday, December 13.
For more information and tickets visit their website www.kirkcaldyorchestralsociety.org/.