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 I have lived on the West Coast of Scotland my entire life, growing up in Innellan, south of Dunoon. My parents were both teachers and we all benefitted from living on the Clyde, learning to sail from a young age at Toward Sailing Club. Despite having no musicians in my family, I was lucky that my parents recognised something musical in me. To encourage this, I began piano lessons from the age of five. 

As Lisa said in her blog post, we have peripatetic instrumental teachers to thank for so much of our music education in Scotland. I originally wanted to try the clarinet (my mum had hoped to learn, and I thought I could teach her if I got good enough) but there was a shortage of brass players in the local area so I was moved in that direction and started to play the trumpet at the age of 10. This lasted for all of six months before my Instrumental Tutor Harry Derrett suggested I try the French Horn (I’ll tell the RSNO Trumpet Section that I needed more of a challenge…!). Harry was part of the local music service, serving all schools in Dunoon and surrounding area. It is thanks to him for recognising that I had talent and encouraging my parents to support my further education that I am in this position today. 

A Children’s Classic Concerts performance was my first exposure to the RSNO – I wouldn’t have believed then that it would one day be me onstage in a costume! 

When I started secondary school, I joined the RSAMD Junior Department, travelling to Glasgow every Saturday morning for a full day of practice under the beady eye of Maurice Temple. During that time, I played in the Dunoon Grammar School Wind Band as well as the school Jazz band where I masqueraded as a trombone under the baton of, the then head of music, John McIntosh. I also played with WSSSO (formerly Strathclyde Schools Orchestra, the Argyll and Bute Concert Band (run by RSNO former Principal Flute John Grant), the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland and Youth Orchestra of Scotland and Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. I have been taught by many RSNO musicians over the years, and to this day over a third of the Orchestra teach at the RCS, which I think shows how committed our musicians are to supporting the future of the industry in Scotland. 

I moved to Glasgow when I was 17 and began full time studies at the RCS. During that time, I met many of my future colleagues, and very quickly after graduating I was on trial for the Third Horn position at the RSNO. Luckily, that went well, and about nine-months later I was offered the job in 2017! My most memorable performance is Wagner’s Die Walküre at Edinburgh International Festival conducted by Sir Andrew Davis in my first week in the job. We invited former members of the section back to perform, with musicians I had looked up to including Bob McIntosh in the section alongside me. 

I am glad I get to share the stage with my friends and work with musicians I admire. The social aspect of music is very important, and I’m still friends with many people I met in youth bands growing up. When you learn an instrument, you get to meet people of different ages and different backgrounds which is important for every aspect of life. I’m aware that many of the services I benefited from growing up are either at risk or are no longer available. Working for a National Company I recognise our role in supporting music education, and I hope that with your support young people across Scotland continue to get the opportunities I had. 

Andrew McLean
Associate Principal Horn, RSNO