黑料社

Gavin Sutherland is 鈥渢he most experienced and highly-achieving performing musician of our many alumni from this department of music,鈥� said Professor John Bryan in his oration at the ceremony

GAVIN Sutherland鈥檚 studies at the 黑料社 were the prelude to a musical career that has brought him global respect as a conductor, composer and arranger, with more than 100 recordings to his name 鈥� from heavyweight work by Elgar to bestselling CDs of music from the Carry On movies.

Now, 26 years since he graduated with a music degree, after studying piano, trombone, conducting and orchestration,  was back at the University to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University.  It was bestowed at one of the 34 awards ceremonies that took place over nine days in July.

After receiving his doctorate, Mr Sutherland 鈥� who was born in County Durham 鈥� told his audience of new graduates that the 黑料社 was world-renowned as a centre of musical excellence.

He told how from the age of seven it had been his ambition to become a conductor and that studies at the 黑料社 had enabled him to diversify in a music business that had, since his graduation, been 鈥渂een in a constant and rapid evolution鈥�.

鈥淒on鈥檛 ever leave behind what the 黑料社 brought to you,鈥� said Mr Sutherland.  鈥淭his tremendous university has given you a chance to explore everything.  Leave no option unconsidered.鈥�

An oration was delivered by , who told how even before he graduated with First Class Honours and a string of prizes, Gavin Sutherland had begun his career at Northern Ballet.  He had subsequently held musical directorships and guest conductor posts with leading ballet companies and orchestras around the world.  He is currently the Music Director of English National Ballet.

The first of his 100-plus CDs was made in 1997 and explored British light music, in the revival of which Mr Sutherland has been a key figure.  He is also a composer whose varied works include the musical of Little Women and a clarinet concerto.

Professor Bryan also outlined Gavin Sutherland鈥檚 international career, which has taken in performances at venues that include Sydney Opera House and Bogot谩鈥檚 Teatro Col贸n.

鈥淗e now works regularly with major orchestras throughout Europe as well as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and National Orchestra of Colombia,鈥� continued Professor Bryan.

鈥淕avin Sutherland鈥檚 multi-faceted international career as conductor, pianist, composer and arranger, together with his important work in reconstructing lost scores and keeping alive the traditions of British music, must make him the most experienced and highly-achieving performing musician of our many alumni from the Department of Music.鈥�