Matthew McIlree is a recent graduate from the University of St. Andrews, where he completed both piano and organ scholarships alongside a degree in mathematics and computer science. He began learning piano and violin in 2005 and achieved a place at the Music School of Douglas Academy in 2012. There, he took up organ and studied with David Hamilton from 2013, having been introduced to the instrument at his local church. He has been a multiple prize winner at both the Glasgow and Inverclyde music festivals, including twice winning the Glasgow Society of Organists’ Trophy at the Glasgow open organ class; and three times winning the top piano award, as well the 2016 overall prize, in Inverclyde. He is now studying for his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Glasgow, alongside working freelance as a wedding musician and accompanist. Having first played the piano for the Glasgow Phoenix Choir on our Oban tour in 2019, he is now playing for us more regularly, including Cambuslang on Sunday 20 November and our upcoming Christmas concerts.