Glasgow Phoenix Choir

Event information

The Glasgow Phoenix Choir is delighted to be make a first visit to Strathblane Parish Church in aid of church funds. The Glasgow Phoenix Choir rose out of the ashes of the world-famous Glasgow Orpheus Choir and year celebrates a total of 124 years of choral excellence. Our conductor, Cameron Murdoch joined us in 1987 as Accompanist and Depute Conductor and is an Honours graduate in music from the University of Glasgow who also studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He regularly plays harpsichord and piano with various musical ensembles, including the excellent Glasgow CREATE Choirs, and performs throughout the British Isles. Cameron is also Organist and Choir Master of St. John’s Renfield Church in Glasgow’s West End. Many of the pieces in the current Phoenix repertoire were arranged by Cameron.
The Glasgow Phoenix Choir performs many concerts every year, the majority of which raise money for charity and each involves a range of music from choral standards to new music and, in addition, we feature many delightful solo performances by choir members. Choir recordings receive regular play on local and national radio stations. Our most recent postcard CD, All in the April Evening, was recorded in St John’s-Renfield Church in Glasgow’s West End and released in April 2023.

Matthew McIlree, who is now a regular accompanist with the choir, will perform with us at this concert. Matthew graduated from the University of St. Andrews, where he completed both piano and organ scholarships alongside a degree in mathematics and computer science. He has been a multiple prize winner at both the Glasgow and Inverclyde music festivals, including twice winning the Glasgow Society of Organists' Trophy at the Glasgow open organ class; and three times winning the top piano award, as well the 2016 overall prize, in Inverclyde. He is now studying for his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Glasgow, alongside working freelance as a wedding musician and accompanist. Matthew can also be heard playing the organ as part of the daily recital programme at Kelvingrove Art Gallery.