Photo top row: Karol Fitzpatrick (left), Andrew McTaggart (middle), Mark Evans (right). Bottom row: Moira Morrison (left), Anna Ghazal (middle), Eileen Edgar (right).
We are thrilled to announce the names of our recently appointed Directors of NYCOS Regional Choirs in Midlothian, Renfrewshire and Stirling. The Choir Directors, supported by the newly created post of Associate Director, will play a key role in rebuilding youth choral singing in Scotland.
From 1 September, we will welcome Karol Fitzpatrick as Director of NYCOS Midlothian Choir. With thirty years experience working in music education, Karol currently works at Dollar Academy, as a choral leader with danceSing, and is Principal Assessor for SQA Advanced Higher Music. Karol will be joined by Associate Director Moira Morrison, who currently directs the youth choir Dunbar Voices, the Health in Harmony NHS Borders staff choir and the Gilmerton Singers. She also works across NYCOS Choirs and YMI projects.
From 8 September, Andrew McTaggart will join NYCOS Renfrewshire Choir as Director. He is no stranger to NYCOS; a former member of NYCOS Training Choir and the National Youth Choir of Scotland, he has most recently coached singers on the National Boys Choir and National Youth Choir of Scotland residential courses. Alongside a successful singing career and performing regularly with Scottish Opera, he currently works with several choirs including Ayr Choral Union, Greenock Philharmonic Choir and Cumnock Tryst Festival Chorus. Andrew will be joined by Associate Director Anna Ghazal, also a former member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland and NYCOS National Girls Choir; Anna is a primary teacher and music specialist who has sung in several established choirs and semi-professionally in the Armonico Consort. She has directed various choirs and delivered a range of music outreach projects.
From 7 September, Mark Evans will join NYCOS Stirling Choir as Director. A familiar face at NYCOS, Mark has worked with several of our National Choirs and is currently director of NYCOS Edinburgh Choir and NYCOS National Girls Training Choir. He is currently Course Director of the Music School of Douglas Academy, Milngavie, where amongst many other activities he directs a 100-strong senior choir, and a chamber choir. Mark will be joined by Eileen Edgar as Associate Director, who has been working in music education for over 30 years. She has recently retired as a Depute Head teacher in Glasgow and is delighted to be able to continue working with young people through NYCOS promoting and enhancing choral singing in Scotland.
Christopher Bell, NYCOS Artistic Director:
I welcome these new Directors and their Associates at this time when our task is very clear – to rebuild the NYCOS Choral infrastructure across Scotland. It’s particularly gratifying when these new appointments are former members who are returning to give something back. I look forward to working with them and hearing all these choirs singing again.
