"bold and angular, yet melismatic
and mysterious - a hugely
striking piece from a Scottish
composer who should be heard
more often."

THE SCOTSMAN

Born in Edinburgh, John Gourlay was educated at the Royal High School and the University of Edinburgh (B.Mus. 1st) and worked as a school teacher in Wester Hailes.

As a lecturer at Glasgow Arts Centre he developed an interest in jazz education and set up the Strathclyde Arts Centre Jazz Band and Workshop as well as tutoring on the first National Youth Orchestra of Scotland jazz courses. John also began writing jazz charts for these and other groups.

Returning to teaching in Pollok, Glasgow, John made improvisation an important part of classroom learning and composed music for pupil groups. Moving to Fife to become Principal Teacher of Music at Dunfermline High School, he composed music for a number of Fife youth music ensembles.

In addition to charts for jazz orchestra and music for educational use, John’s compositions include music for wind band, for orchestra and also chamber music, including a series of pieces inspired by visual arts media. One highlight was having his Midsummer Sunrise performed by the Hebrides Ensemble at the St Magnus Festival in a memorial concert for Peter Maxwell Davies which was subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

John has played oboe and cor anglais in Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society for a number years, regularly composing and arranging for the orchestra and smaller groups of players. One long-running project is the series of Old Kirk Concertos written for various combinations and named for Kirkcaldy Old Kirk where the orchestra rehearses and performs.

Away from music he spends time reading and walking and especially enjoys spending the odd night out in the open on a Scottish mountainside.