Wallace Galbraith MBE

Whilst at school, Wallace had visions of a career in music and gained
his diplomas in A.R.C.M. and A.C.V. at the age of 17. After an initial career with the family bakery business, he began teaching in Ayrshire Schools in 1977, forming the now internationally renowned Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra in 1982.

Wallace has been closely involved in all aspects of music in Ayrshire, playing, teaching and conducting - for 12 years he was the conductor of the Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra - and in June 2000 he was awarded the MBE for services to music, particularly
with the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra. His group of professional string
and wind players - Arioso - now play widely throughout Scotland at
many events such as weddings, conferences and civic occasions.

Wallace has also been instrumental, so to speak, in the restoration of the Burns Violin.

wallace@fiddleorchestra.com

Alistair McCulloch, Musical Director

Ayrshire born Alistair McCulloch has been Scottish National Fiddle Champion on three occasions and is in constant demand as a performer both at home and abroad.

Alistair is involved in a range of musical projects and is perhaps best known for his work with the band 'Coila' and as a soloist with the renowned Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. His first solo album 'Highly Strung', was released to widespread acclaim. He is also a member of the exciting new Celtic group 'Canterach' - this group which features former members of 'The Tannahill Weavers', 'Iron Horse' and 'Ossian', has just released a debut album. Alistair has appeared on around thirty commercial albums and has worked alongside Alasdair Fraser, Aly Bain, Peter Morrison, Anne Lorne Gillies, Moira Kerr and Donald Shaw to name a few.

His talents lie in composition as well as playing, a fact evidenced by other artistes' use of his music. Recent commissions include 'The Cabrach Suite' composed for William Grant and Sons of Glenfiddich Whisky. Alistair also enjoys teaching the fiddle privately and at the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop. More information on Alistair can be found on his website.

alistair@fiddleorchestra.com

Blair Parham, Assistant Musical Director

Blair has been involved with the orchestra since 1987 playing the cello and bass guitar, and in 1995 he joined the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. After completing his degree in Genetics, he did a postgraduate diploma in IT, before taking a year out to work and live in Canada and Australia.

On his return to Scottish shores in 2001, he was invited to take up the assistant musical director role alongside Alistair. Since then, he has travelled extensively through China and S.E. Asia and, finally, taken up a career. He completed his Postgraduate Certificate of Education where he was awarded the university's Court Medal for Academic Achievement, and now teaches Biology and Science to secondary pupils.

He is still searching for a solution to hereditary high foreheads.

In 2008, he was delighted to be asked to take up the role of conductor of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra alongside the orchestra's musical director John Mason MBE, and has since conducted in some of the major concert venues in the UK.

Wallace Galbraith, MBE

Alistair McCulloch

Blair Parham