Roger Garland

Roger Garland studied the violin with Manoug Parikian whilst reading Music at Cambridge.

In 1969, he joined the English Chamber Orchestra, combining this with recital and solo work throughout the country. In 1973, he joined the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields with whom he has made many solo appearances and broadcasts in Europe, North America and Australia.

He has also appeared as soloist in broadcasts for the Chichester Festival and the Flanders Festival.
He has broadcast solo recitals and chamber music on B B C Radio 3 and is a keen champion of 20th century music, his latest CD being of the Trio by Michael Finnissy on Et Cetera Records with the Gagliano Trio. He also leads the Guarnerius String Quintet.

top of the page

John Gray

John Gray studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music.

He went on to play the double bass professionally, as sub-principal of London Symphony Orchestra and then as Principal of the Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields. He was also Professor of Bass at the Royal Academy of Music at this time. He emigrated to Australia and spent fourteen years as a lecturer in Double Bass at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. During this time, he was also the Bass-player of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

He returned to London seven years ago and now plays with the London Festival Orchestra, as well as working generally as a free-lance bass-player in classical and "period" music.

top of the page

Andrew McGee

Andrew McGee studied the violin with Rosemary Rapaport and David Martin at Royal Academy of Music where he won a Poulett Scholarship. He studied conducting with Sir Adrian Boult.

His playing career began at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he led the orchestra for some performances. He has been co- leader of the London Symphony Orchestra ; leader of the London Sinfonietta; a member of the Nash Ensemble and sub-leader of the Menuhin Festival Orchestra. He was professor of violin at the Royal Scottish Academy for several years where he also pioneered their scheme for the teaching of very young players - from 3 to 8 years old.

He is currently a member of the Academy of St Martin-in-the-fields and teaches violin and viola at the Centre for Young Musicians, Morley College, London.

top of the page

Jonathan Strange

Jonathan Strange studied the violin at the Royal Academy of Music with Hugh Maguire and Frederick Grinke.

He was the leader of The Strange String Quartet, formed at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Sidney Griller. The Strange String Quartet went on to become Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Sussex for three years. Jonathan then became a regular member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the London Sinfonietta and other chamber orchestras. For many years, he was co-leader of the London Mozart Players.

More recently, he has devoted an increasing amount of time to studio work while continuing to pursue a wide range of orchestral work and chamber music commitments.

top of the page

Dennis Vigay

Dennis Vigay studied with Cedric Sharpe at the Royal Academy of Music. He was Principal Cello and soloist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Academy of St Martin-in the-Fields . He was a founder member of the Academy of St Martin-in the-Fields Chamber Ensemble, with whom he recorded the first complete set of Handel's chamber music works.

His international solo and chamber ensemble appearances include performances at the Promenade Concerts, the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and Berlin Philharmonic Hall. He appears regularly with Music da Camera, the Dumka Trio and London Octet.

Until 1983 he was Professor of Cello at the Royal Academy Music, having been made a Fellow of the Academy in 1972.

top of the page