

FISH
Sat 17 Oct, 10.00am
Sung from Glasgow
"NYCoS have managed to Keep Scotland Singing throughout Lockdown, and their daily activities and Wee Sing programmes have been enjoyed by wee ones and their families across the country and further afield. As Kodaly said; "With music, one’s whole future life is brightened. This is such a treasure in life that it helps us over many troubles and difficulties. Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life.” I am delighted that our national youth choir is part of 'Distant Voices' and I hope you and your wee ones enjoy these two sessions full of songs, games and rhymes for the whole family."
Amanda, Festival Director
Session 1 (10.00) - for babies up to 1 year
Session 2 (10.30) - for babies and toddlers up to 3 years

Karen Clark
Singing Leader
Karen Clark (BMus Hons, ARAM) studied bassoon and piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she received the Queen’s Commendation for Excellence, the Louise Child Prize for Academic Achievement and the Irene Burcher Prize for Woodwind. Karen pursued a successful career as a bassoon soloist, performing and recording with several of the UK and Europe’s leading orchestras, including the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Tonhalle-Orchester, Zürich. In 2009, Karen gave a solo performance at the BBC Proms.
Since 2012, Karen has pursued her passion for music education, and has worked extensively for NYCOS, delivering Kodály education workshops in schools across Scotland, as well as teaching musicianship and conducting at the West Lothian Area Choir. She is also the coordinator of several NYCOS projects, including the Active Learning programme for Early Years and the Wee Sing choir for P3 pupils across Scotland. In 2014, Karen gained her PGDE (primary) to further develop her skills and passion in education, with a focus on developing music education within the primary school curriculum. Karen regularly delivers training sessions for nursery and primary school teachers, providing an introduction into the Kodály approach and how it can be delivered in the primary classroom.
Karen is also a musicianship lecturer at the RCS Junior Conservatoire and the RSNO Junior chorus, and has also delivered musicianship at Big Noise, Raploch. Most recently, she has been involved in the creation of the Kodály HUB - a new online music education resource developed in collaboration with NYCOS, the RCS, the Liszt Academy Budapest, the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague and the Netherlands Youth Choir. Alongside project managing, Karen was responsible for the editing and testing of new educational materials for primary pupils, as well as creating new resources and contributing to the development of a new curriculum.

NYCoS
NYCOS (formerly known as National Youth Choir of Scotland or NYCoS) is a youth arts organisation, dedicated to providing high-level singing opportunities for Scotland's young singers aged 0–25. Led by Artistic Director, Christopher Bell, NYCOS provides a national infrastructure for young people, teachers and choir directors to support and develop choral singing in Scotland.
NYCOS activities currently include four National Choirs, a growing network of Regional Choirs across Scotland, Mini Music Makers classes and a broad range of educational projects. NYCOS also commissions and publishes a range of publications, songbooks and educational resources.