• Our History

    The Glasgow Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1975 by Tom Kent and Dorothy Gunnee (who still plays timpani in the orchestra). The first rehearsal took place on the March 4th 1975, and the orchestra's first concert was held on June 3rd 1975 in the High School of Glasgow.  


    During the lifetime of the orchestra  we have given 132 concerts and over 1,100 players have participated in the orchestra. We have given performances of 118 symphonies and 53 concertos have been performed by 58 soloists.

  • Our New Conductor - Alistair Gibson

    Alistair is an accomplished conductor, educator, and trombonist whose musical journey spans a diverse and distinguished career. He trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the prestigious Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. Over the years, he has established himself as a conductor of various styles, having conducted an array of esteemed ensembles, including the Broxburn and Livingston Band, Glasgow Orchestral Society, Kingdom Brass, and Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra.


    Currently, Alistair serves as Associate Conductor of the Dunbartonshire Concert Band as well as guest conducting a number of ensembles across Scotland. He is also the founder and driving force behind his "Come and Play" series in central Scotland, which attracts musicians from across the UK to engage with challenging repertoire such as Pictures at an Exhibition, Mahler’s First Symphony, and Star Wars in an encouraging, collaborative environment.


    In 2025, Alistair became the first person to complete his Master’s in Conducting for Community and Youth Ensembles at the Royal Northern College of Music, graduating with distinction under the expert tutelage of Mark Heron, Dr Robert Gardiner and Dr Melvin Tay. His conducting education has been further enriched through masterclasses with world-renowned figures such as Bernard Haitink, Rudolfo Saglimbeni, Bjorn Sagstad, and Robert Guy. In 2024, Alistair advanced to the second round of the prestigious Frederick Fennell Conducting Competition, following a successful track record as a semi-finalist in the Brass Band Conductors Association Competition.


    Also in 2025, Alistair established his own chamber orchestra, Towpath Camerata, dedicated to performing high-quality chamber music in venues across Scotland’s central belt. Building on his passion for nurturing musical leadership, he has also developed his own conducting courses—beginning in October 2025 with an Introduction to Conducting course and with plans to expand into more advanced offerings in the near future. 


    In addition to his conducting work, Alistair contributes to the pioneering Sistema Scotland project as a brass educator and serves as a dedicated brass teacher for West Lothian Council. Outside of his professional commitments, he resides in Falkirk with his wife, Kirstin, and their two cats, or can often be found on a squash court.


    For more information, visit www.alistairgibson.co.uk


  • Our Assistant Conductor - Allan McPhee

    Allan McPhee has played with GSO since 1999 and is currently Principal Trumpet. He is also Principal Trumpet with the Glasgow Orchestra Society and has been a guest player with all the amateur orchestras in Glasgow. Prior to orchestral playing he spent about 15 years with some of the finest brass bands in Scotland. He sang for several years with the choir of Paisley Abbey, and continues his association there as a founder and organiser of Abbey Brass, a group of instrumentalists many of whom are current or former members of GSO. 


    He is full-time organist at Newlands South Church, where he has been for many years. He has performed a number of organ recitals at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and has been both a continuo player and accompanist for several choirs. 


    Allan is a prolific arranger and composer of music for small ensembles, soloists, brass chamber groups, and full orchestras. His works have been performed in Paisley Abbey and the RSC. 


  • Our Committee and Constitution

    In February 2017 members agreed at an AGM to adopt a constitution and to elect a committee comprising office bearers and ordinary members.  Office bearers have a responsibility for specific tasks and are in place for up to three years. Ordinary members are in place for up to one year and will  elected at the annual general meeting of the orchestra. The minutes of committee meetings are circulated to the orchestra and at least one  committee meeting will be held  in each of the three playing sessions. The selection of music played by the orchestra is done through consultation with the orchestra the conductor and the deputy conductor.


    Chair - Neil Dely (Horn)

    Orchestra Leader - Javier Francos Marrero (1st Violin)

    Music Librarian - Janice MacKinnon(Viola)

    Treasurer - Alison Downie (Cello)

    Administrator - Deborah Rutherford (2nd Violin)

    1st Violin Rep - John Dunn (1st Violin)

    2nd Violin Rep - Jim Spy (2nd Violin)

    Viola Rep - Janice Mackinnon (Viola)

    Cello/Double Bass Rep - Alison Downie

    Woodwind Rep - Richard Taylor

    Brass Rep - Neil Dely

    Ordinary Member - Morven MacKinnon

    Percussion Rep - Sarahanne Doherty

    Ordinary Member - Maya MacAdam


    All members of the committee may be contacted via gso@glasgowsymphonyorchestra.co.uk.