Garry Walker

Last updated
Garry Walker
Born1974
NationalityScottish
Known forOrchestral conducting

Garry Walker (born 1974, Edinburgh) is a Scottish conductor.

Contents

Biography

Walker received his secondary school education at St Mary's Music School. [1] His initial musical training was as a cellist, [2] and he subsequently played cello in the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. In 1995, Walker graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University. [3]

In 1999, Walker won the Leeds Conductors Competition. [4] He subsequently became associate conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). [5] He subsequently served as principal guest conductor of the RSNO from 2003 to 2007. [6] [2]

Walker has also served as conductor of the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, principal conductor of the Paragon Ensemble, [5] and was a regular guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. [2] He has served on the faculty of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) as a visiting professor of conducting, and the RCS formally created the post of artistic director. In November 2015, the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie announced the appointment of Walker as its chief conductor, effective with the 2017–2018 season. [7] In June 2019, Opera North announced the appointment of Walker as its next music director, effective with the 2020–2021 season. [8] In February 2020, the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie announced that Walker is to stand down as its chief conductor at the close of the 2021-2022 season. [9]

As one of his hobbies, Walker enjoys climbing mountains. [2] He completed his goal to climb all 284 Munros. [10]

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References

  1. Conrad Wilson (27 June 2007). "Music". The Herald . Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cornwell, Tim (7 February 2004). "Climb every mountain". The Scotsman . Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  3. Markowitz, Michael (24 September 2003). "Garry Walker Named Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra". The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  4. Michael Tumelty (16 November 2004). "A man with a mission: Garry Walker tells Michael Tumelty why he is determined to bring new music to his audience". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  5. 1 2 Michael Tumelty (11 June 2002). "Work is pouring in for conductor Garry Walker". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. Kate Molleson (27 January 2016). "Interview: Garry Walker". The Herald. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  7. "Garry Walker wird neuer Chefdirigent des Staatsorchesters Rheinische Philharmonie" (Press release). Rhineland Pfalz Ministerium für Familie, Frauen, Kultur und Integration. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  8. "Opera North announces new musical leadership" (Press release). Opera North. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  9. "Rheinische Philharmonie: Walker verlängert nicht" (Press release). Rhineland Pfalz Ministerium für Familie, Frauen, Kultur und Integration. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  10. Tumelty, Michael (27 September 2008). "Peak practice fr rom[sic] a young conductor used to scaling the heights". The Herald . Retrieved 3 November 2009.
Cultural offices
Preceded by
Daniel Raiskin
Chief Conductor, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie
2017–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Opera North
2020-present
Succeeded by
incumbent