Steve's Chair is kindly supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown
Are you interested in sponsoring a Chair?

Steve plays viola professionally with the Scottish Chamber together with being a music educationalist, facilitator and composer. He has worked with some of the worlds most famous and inspirational musicians, playing in Scotland and throughout the world.

Steve was also Director of Music at Heriot-Watt University for over 24 years, stepping down at the end of 2022.

Steve moved to Scotland to join the SCO in December 1983, having previously worked in the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra.

As a composer Steve has had many of his works played throughout the UK, also on television and radio.

Through his work at Heriot-Watt and many other music institutional settings in Scotland, Steve has become sought after as a choral and orchestral conductor, showing strong commitment to the community sector of music making, exploring both contemporary and mainstream repertoire.

As a music educationalist and facilitator, Steve has led numerous creative music projects throughout the UK. Through this work, together with the training of staff, teachers and trainers, Steve has raised the profile of music as a tool for leadership training, team building and group development skills. This emphasis on music and team building has attracted the attention of some high profile businesses which have used Steve in their team development programmes with great success. This has projected creative music into the corporate community and new exciting territories.

In 2005 Steve was awarded an MBE for services to music. In 2006 he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by the International Rotary Foundation in recognition of his dedicated service to music in the community. In 2009 Steve was awarded an Honorary Doctorate [D.Litt] by Heriot-Watt University.

And when he is not working? Steve is married to Anne and, when their schedule allows they drive to the West Coast of Scotland where they launch their boat and motor to a very remote area where they have a ‘butt ‘n ben’ [small cottage]. Here is the place to chill, cook, and catch up on life – it’s also a wonderful place to create and write!