The Arkleston Singers
Music Team
Musical Director - Marcus Kitchen
Marcus began his musical studies at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester studying voice, piano and conducting, whilst expanding his interest in Musical Theatre. Thereafter he moved to Glasgow to undertake studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Voice, Piano and Conducting (under Professors Alasdair Mitchell and Nigel Boddice), graduating BMus (Hons) in 2016. During his time at the RCS, Marcus had the opportunity to work with, and observe, many conductors as they led both chorus and principal cast members in preparation for the Conservatoire's operatic productions.
Marcus began his musical studies at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester studying voice, piano and conducting, whilst expanding his interest in Musical Theatre. Thereafter he moved to Glasgow to undertake studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Voice, Piano and Conducting (under Professors Alasdair Mitchell and Nigel Boddice), graduating BMus (Hons) in 2016. During his time at the RCS, Marcus had the opportunity to work with, and observe, many conductors as they led both chorus and principal cast members in preparation for the Conservatoire's operatic productions.
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He has been Conductor of the Tideswell Male Voice Choir and has conducted the Carlisle Community Choir, the RCS Singers and the Strathclyde Chorus when they were performing at the Strathclyde Proms. He is leading the Strathclyde Chorus again in their current season. In addition to his work as a choral conductor, Marcus has also accompanied many groups, including the National Youth Choir of Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Boys Choir, as well as individual students presenting for their Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams.
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Accompanist - Christopher Nickol
Chris hoined us as our accompanist in 2022. Chris is a well known and highly accomplished pianist and organist, who has very wide experience as an accompanist and recitalist, with a reputation built locally, nationally and internationally.
Christopher Nickol was a music scholar at Ampleforth College: an organ scholar at Royal Holloway College, University of London & a postgraduate scholar at the Royal College of Music. He is Director of Music at New Kilpatrick Church, Bearsden: a staff member of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: a pianist at The Dance School of Scotland: accompanist to the Bearsden Choir: a deputy organist at Glasgow Cathedral & the University of Glasgow.
In addition to playing for the Arkleston Singers & the Bearsden Choir, Chris has performed as an accompanist & soloist with many of Scotland's major choirs & orchestras. He has given organ recitals throughout the U.K. & also in Europe & the U.S.A.
He has broadcast on B.B.C. Radio & TV & has released 8 CDs featuring organs in Scotland & Ireland. He is a frequent contributor to the programme of daily organ concerts at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, playing about 35 recitals each year.
Chris hoined us as our accompanist in 2022. Chris is a well known and highly accomplished pianist and organist, who has very wide experience as an accompanist and recitalist, with a reputation built locally, nationally and internationally.
Christopher Nickol was a music scholar at Ampleforth College: an organ scholar at Royal Holloway College, University of London & a postgraduate scholar at the Royal College of Music. He is Director of Music at New Kilpatrick Church, Bearsden: a staff member of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: a pianist at The Dance School of Scotland: accompanist to the Bearsden Choir: a deputy organist at Glasgow Cathedral & the University of Glasgow.
In addition to playing for the Arkleston Singers & the Bearsden Choir, Chris has performed as an accompanist & soloist with many of Scotland's major choirs & orchestras. He has given organ recitals throughout the U.K. & also in Europe & the U.S.A.
He has broadcast on B.B.C. Radio & TV & has released 8 CDs featuring organs in Scotland & Ireland. He is a frequent contributor to the programme of daily organ concerts at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, playing about 35 recitals each year.
The Arkleston Chamber Ensemble
Made up of friends of the former Musical Director, The Arkleston Chamber Ensemble made its first appearance with the choir in 2006 and has been part of every Annual Concert since then. The musicians enjoy playing music which is not in their normal repertoire, often despite its demands and intricacies. Catriona McGilvray has been leader since 2009, excelling in some fiendishly difficult solo work as well as providing excellent artistic leadership to the Ensemble, whose input lifts the Annual Concert to new heights each year.
Made up of friends of the former Musical Director, The Arkleston Chamber Ensemble made its first appearance with the choir in 2006 and has been part of every Annual Concert since then. The musicians enjoy playing music which is not in their normal repertoire, often despite its demands and intricacies. Catriona McGilvray has been leader since 2009, excelling in some fiendishly difficult solo work as well as providing excellent artistic leadership to the Ensemble, whose input lifts the Annual Concert to new heights each year.