Find out more about Steve Birch, Conductor of Glasgow Lyric Choir
Steve was born in Northamptonshire in 1959 and, coming from a musical family, received his first piano lesson at the age of eleven. Whilst still a schoolboy he also studied trumpet, 'cello, singing and French horn, playing the latter in both County Youth Orchestra and National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.
He developed an early talent for composing and conducting which lead to work with choirs, various ensembles and three years as the Musical Director of the Liberat Theatre company.
Steve has lived in Glasgow since 1988 and became organist and choirmaster at All Saints' Episcopal church in Bearsden, a post he held for nine years where he set up the All Saints' Festival singers.
In 1995, he graduated from the from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he studied singing, piano and french horn; as well as composition and conducting.Composing is an integral part of his life and the premiere of his cantata "Columba" was given in Glasgow in 1997. One of his latest works, "The Soul Dances" for violin and organ was given its premiere in Glasgow in 2006.
Steve taught music at the Glasgow Steiner School from 1995 until 2005 and became one of a team of organists and choirmasters at St John's Episcopal Church, Greenock, in 1997. With the choir of St John's he has appeared on two recordings for BBC radio as well as the choir's CD produced in 1999.
Steve became conductor of the Glasgow Lyric Choir in August 2000 and has worked with soloists from Scottish Opera as well as musicians fromthe Royal Scottish National Orchestra as well as musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
In August 2003 he worked with Dr. Mary Berry as organist for the Gregorian Chant workshops at the Cambridge Music Conference held at Trinity Hall College.
Steve is also Guest Conductor of the Glasgow Orchestral Society, and now teaches piano as a private tutor.