Biography

I studied classical piano with Audrey Innes from St Mary’s Music School and David Parkhouse in Aberdeen. However I have always been interested in a wide range of piano styles, particularly jazz. As a self-employed pianist I worked for the entertainment agency in Edinburgh playing in many Hotels and for various events. I have also played in several bands over the years in varying styles from dance bands to rock bands. I worked as a session music playing with Billy Mackenzie from the Associates and providing keyboards in studio recordings. I was also accompanist for the folk singer Mary Sandeman.

As a teacher I continue to accompany singers and instrumentalists for exams and performances.

I am also able to play accordion, organ, and clarinet with a sound knowledge of acoustic and bass guitars.



At University I studied composition and wrote many classical pieces which were all performed at concerts. In addition I wrote a composition for a Scottish Chamber Orchestra workshop. I also acquired an interest in music technology, working in the electronic studio.

I have continued to compose over the years, expanding my music to include a wide variety of different genres including theme tunes, songs, arrangements, electronic music and music specifically written for commercial packages.

My latest wind band composition was performed by the Military Wind Band based at Dreghorn Barracks.

With advances in Music Technology I now have a comprehensive knowledge of Sibelius 6 and Cubase 5. My studio includes 3 computers designed for different uses: One is exclusively for Cubase 5 with edirol strings, Halion Orchestra, Edirol SD20 sound module, Edirol UA25 midi/audio interface and an E-MU xboard 61 keyboard. The second is for scoring with Sibelius 5 and inputting sometimes with an M-Audio ozone keyboard. The third is for mastering using Cubase 5 and Isotope 4 mastering suite.

I also have the software for cakewalk pro’ and pro-tools 7. Examples of my performing/accompanying/compositions can be found on my web-site at www.guscarmichael.co.uk