OUR CONDUCTOR
Gerard Doherty studied violin and conducting at the Royal Scottish Academy. He studied conducting at post graduate level with Martin Brabbins at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and also won a scholarship to study for two seasons at the American Academy of Conducting, Aspen, with Murry Sidlin, David Zinman, Jorma Panula and James Levine.
Gerard’s natural gift as a conductor first came to prominence when he conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) in Debussy’s La Mer in the presence of Walter Weller. With Weller’s highest recommendation, Gerard made his debut as a conductor, which led him to conduct the RSNO on numerous occasions, including when he had to step in during a recording session, as the conductor was indisposed, to complete a recording of opera arias, which were highly acclaimed.
His conducting has taken him to the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Gerard is currently Principal Conductor of the Glasgow Sinfonia and the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra and also guest conducts a number of other Scottish ensembles.
He has conducted a wide range of choral and symphonic works and is much admired for his natural musicianship, clear understanding, integrity and breadth of repertoire, which spans baroque to contemporary. His reviews have described his music making as “thrilling”, “exhilarating”, “triumphant” and “vibrant”. He is also a well established conductor of choral music having spent 20 years as conductor of the Ayr Choral, conducting many major symphonic and sacred choral works as well as ‘A Capella’ repertoire.
His wide experience and in-depth knowledge of orchestral technique and repertoire are also in demand with the next generation of musicians. He was for 10 years Principal Conductor of the Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra. He has been course director and conductor of the NYOS repertoire course on three occasions and has also conducted the Symphony Orchestra of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, the Orchestra of the University of Castel Branco, Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra, Renfrewshire Schools Symphony Orchestra, West of Scotland Independent Schools Orchestra and Glasgow Schools Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland. He is at present conductor of the East Renfrewshire Schools Symphony and Senior String Orchestras, winning numerous awards.
He played violin for all of the major orchestras in the country, including 23 years as first violin in the RSNO.
“Gerry brought to his conducting vast experience, a marvellous natural musicianship, a clear understanding of the psychological complexities of the art of conducting and a very wide knowledge of orchestral repertoire and orchestral technique…A musician of true calibre and integrity.”
Martyn Brabbins, Associate Conductor of the B.B.C. Scottish Symphony Orchestra
“His musicianship shone through and the Orchestra had no trouble following his clear and decisive beat.”
Walter Weller, Conductor Emeritus of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
“With Gerry Doherty at the helm as conductor , and a programme that built with magnetic logic to Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, the concert developed an unstoppable momentum.”
Michael Tumelty, The Herald, UK, February 12, 2001.
“This was a shapely, vibrant performance of Handel’s Messiah…thrilling the audience with robust tone and tight-knit ensemble work… exhilaratingly joyful… sung with sincerity and sensitively”
The Ayrshire Post, October 29 2001
“Gerard Doherty mustered and controlled his combined forces with authority, conveyed by the admirable clarity of his conducting” ( Mozart Requiem and Waisenhaus Mass )
W Grant Kidd Ayrshire Post May 17 2002
“…As conductors go, he is pretty good at the business.”
The Herald, UK, October 18, 2001.
“The RSNO and conductor Gerard Doherty delivered a sophisticated version of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf”
Michael Tumelty, The Herald , February 23, 2002
“ Sunday night’s performance of the Verdi Requiem given by the Ayr Choral Union under their conductor Gerard Doherty was a remarkable success…( it )will be remembered as a milestone..
Throughout the performance Gerard Doherty retained complete control of the various resources.
The sympathetic orchestral direction for the soloists was another aspect of his skilful work.”
Alisdair Chisholm,The Ayrshire Post, March 30th, 2003
“ This was a truly triumphant night for Ayr Choral Union conducted by Gerard Doherty.” ( Carmina Burana. )
Dorothy Howden, The Ayrshire Post, October 26th,2003
“……Gerard Doherty’s considerable talents as their conductor, thus resulting in a wonderful performance.”
( Bach. St. Matthew’s Passion. )
Dorothy Howden, The Ayrshire Post, 22nd April, 2004
Contact details: Gerard Doherty
28 Brackenrig Crescent,
Glasgow G76 0HF