OUR DIRECTOR

Alistair Auld has been Musical Director of the Marches Choir since January 2015.  Alistair is a free-lance conductor and organist.  A graduate of London University and post-graduate of Durham, he also holds associate-ship performance diplomas from the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Organists.  He has given organ recitals in Shrewsbury Abbey, St Mary's Shrewsbury, St Christopher's Cathedral Bahrain, St Peter's More, and St John's Bishops Castle.

Alistair spent nine years living and working as a conductor and teacher in Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf, having previously been director of music at the Duke of York's School in Kent, and prior to this was on the music staff at Strathallan School in Perth, Scotland.

Whilst in Bahrain, Alistair was organist of St Christopher's Anglican cathedral in the capital Manama, Head of Music at St Christopher's School and Conductor of the Manama singers, a large chorus.  He introduced some great choral repertoire with distinguished international soloists to Bahrain.  Most notably, a highly acclaimed Verdi Requiem, Orff Carmina Burana, Haydn Nelson Mass at the 14th Bahrain International Music Festival, and Opera Gala featuring Bizet Carmen, Borodin Polovtsian Dances and Verdi Grand March (Aida), Brahms German Requiem, Puccini Messa Di Gloria, and Handel Messiah amongst others. 

Alistair was founder conductor of the Bahrain Sinfonia who accompanied the choir and also performed large orchestral works such as Tchaikovsky March Slave, Sibelius Finlandia and Saint Saens Organ Symphony, and smaller scale works including Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings, Vivaldi Four Seasons, Mozart Piano Concerto no. 23 and Symphony no. 29.  During his final year in Bahrain he conducted a memorable performance of David Fanshawe African Sanctus, with the composer present.

Alistair has also directed the music for a host of Music Theatre productions including Weill The Threepenny Opera, Bart Oliver!, and Kander and Ebb Cabaret.

From 2011-2014 Alistair was Musical Director of Shrewsbury Choral Society and Sinfonia; concerts included Haydn Nelson Mass, Britten St Nicolas and an Opera Gala.  He also conducts the More Singers, a chamber Choir based in Church Stretton. Performances have included Durufle Requiem, Mozart Solemn Vespers and Palestrina Missa Aeterna Christi Munera.  In Aberystwyth Alistair directs Aber Opera, a group of keen opera singers who give regular concerts in and around mid-Wales.