Gordon Cree
Background information
Born (1977-07-14) 14 July 1977
GenresClassical, Jazz, Easy Listening
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, musician & entertainer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, organ, trumpet, percussion
Years active1995–present
Websitewww.gordoncree.co.uk

Gordon Charles Cree BMus FGMS (born 14 July 1977, Ayrshire) is a Scottish singer, actor, musician and entertainer from Darvel in Ayrshire.[1]

Early life and education

Gordon Cree was born and brought up in a working class home in Ayrshire, Scotland, UK. After being educated at local primary and secondary schools, and at the unusually young age of 16, he was admitted as an undergraduate student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow where he graduated Bachelor of Music in 1998, aged 20. Following his formal education he was mentored in piano versatility and musical direction with Peggy O'Keefe, studied orchestral scoring and arranging with Brian Fahey and organ with Professor George McPhee at Paisley Abbey.[2]

Career

He has earned his living exclusively from music for his whole adult life, and has performed at a very high professional level as a singer, pianist, organist, arranger, orchestrator, composer, conductor and light entertainer.

He was the musical director for many seasons at the famous Gaiety Theatre, Ayr and has been personal accompanist and musical director to several well-known artistes, most prolifically Moira Anderson and Anita Harris. He worked for a time in the USA with legendary opera star, Marilyn Horne and has played prolifically for touring operas.

He was, for some years, a popular fixture - both alone and with his trio - at Gleneagles Hotel for Sunday lunch, special functions and during the festive season.

He has been a regular conductor for the Scottish concerts mounted by Raymond Gubbay International.

He is currently the organist and director of music of St. Andrew's West Parish Church (formerly Renfield St. Stephens), which is one of the largest and most imposing churches in Glasgow's City Centre, almost directly opposite his old stomping ground at the King's Theatre.

Composer

Cree has published many works, most of them short and very light in nature.

Selected Orchestral Works:
  • Capri Suite
  • Angela (tribute to Angela Morley)
  • Concertino (for organ and string orchestra)
  • Champagne Flutes
  • Fiddlers Free
  • Havanaise (for violin and orchestra)
  • Petite Marche Cérémoniale
  • Suite for Strings
  • Nocturne (for cello and orchestra)
  • The Bognor Bugler's Return (for trumpet and orchestra)
  • The Bognor Bugler's Farewell (for trumpet and orchestra)
  • Shades of Heather (for tuned percussion and orchestra)
  • Rhona Og Mhaiseach (miniature in the style of a Gaelic air for solo harp and strings)
  • Benquhat (march for brass band)
Solo Organ Works:
  • Prelude
  • Meditation
  • Aria
  • Trumpet Tune
  • Toccata on Adeste Fideles
Popular Music:
  • Scotland, My Song Forever (song)

Personal life

He has been in a relationship with operatic and concert mezzo-soprano, Cheryl Forbes, since 2007. They have been married since 2012.

Charity work

He is well known for his support of various charity through his performance and endorsement. He has been active for many years on behalf of the Scottish Showbusiness Benevolent Fund (and as of 2022 is its vice-president and trustee[3]), The Grand Order of Water Rats, he formerly sat on the Master Court of the Trades House of Glasgow[4] and is an Executive Founding Trustee of the Ayrshire (East) Foodbank which he established alongside his wife, Cheryl Forbes.

He is also the co-founder and organiser of a large-scale annual musical event which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Scottish charities, including the Ayrshire Hospice, C.H.A.S., Combat Stress, Sight-Savers, Erskine Hospital and Food for Africa.

A freemason, he is a member of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098, the membership of which is made up of entertainers, and into which he was initiated at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London.

References

  1. ↑ Darvel entertainer Gordon Cree to appear as guest at Scottish Cinema Organ Trust Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Gordon Cree – Loudoun Valley (Ayrshire)". Loudoun Valley. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "Trustees". Scottish Showbusiness Benevolent Fund. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Master Court". Glasgow, Scotland: The Trades House of Glasgow. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
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