David Gerrard - Organ

 

 

Described as 'a musician for all seasons' (RTÉ), David Gerrard performs on the harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and organ. In demand as a continuo player, David has performed at home and abroad with both modern and period instrument groups including Dunedin Consort, The English Concert, English Touring Opera, Hebrides Ensemble, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Opera Settecento, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and The Sixteen.

A skilled choir trainer and conductor, he has held appointments as Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral and Magdalen College, Oxford, and as Assistant Organist at Paisley Abbey. David graduated with double first-class honours in Music from the University of Oxford, followed by a master's degree in Early Keyboard Performance from the University of Edinburgh where he is undertaking doctoral research (generously funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council). With experience working as a harpsichord technician and restorer, he has begun building early keyboard instruments.

Alison MacDonald - Cello

 

Alison MacDonald studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with Sharon McKinley and Douglas Cummings. She graduated with distinction and was the recipient of the college string prize. Alison appeared as a freelance cellist with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Sinfonia Cymru and the Charlie Barber Band. She was also a member of the Sentica Piano Trio, Junior Fellows in chamber music at RWCMD. The group performed extensively including recitals at St Paul’s Covent Garden, St John’s College Oxford, Halifax Square Chapel Festival and Highgrove. The trio also undertook concert tours in Colombia, Venezuela and Portugal.

Alison moved to Aberdeen in 2005. She teaches at Aberdeen City Music School, St Margaret’s School for Girls and Robert Gordon’s College. She is now principal ‘cello of Aberdeen Sinfonietta, a member of the Cargill Piano Trio and performs regularly with the Aberdeen Chamber players. In December 2023, Alison was the cello soloist in the Duruflé Requiem with Aberdeen Bach Choir.