In 2002, Alastair relocated to the USA to take up the position of Music Director at the Coraopolis United Methodist Church near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2010 he became Director of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir.
As a recitalist he has performed at St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and throughout the USA including St Thomas Church, New York City. In 2007, he performed at the Morelia International Organ Festival, Mexico, where his program of 20th century music was hailed as a highlight of the 41st festival.
Alastair is an award-winning composer. He has written for almost every genre, including an 80-minute chamber opera with a libretto by Jonathan Lennie based on the final flight of the Russian Astronaut, Vladimir Komarov. His music has been performed by ensembles and soloists such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, Brunel, Continuum and Composers’ Ensembles, Ixion, Gilde and Belmonte Quartets, Contemporary Consort, New Noise, Scottish Chamber Ensemble, Chroma, pianist Rolf Hind and mezzo-soprano Sarah Walker.
His work has been featured at the Spitalfield’s Festival, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Gregynog Festival, Hoxton Music Days, all of the London Cathedrals and on London’s South Bank at the Purcell Room.
Alastair’s music has also been broadcast on BBC Radios 3 and 4, and Radio Shetland. Many of his works have been released on CD recordings, and are available on iTunes.
Alastair grew up in the Shetland Isles off the Northeast Coast of Scotland, UK. He studied at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at Royal Holloway, University of London.
During his time in London,
he was Assistant Organist at Wesley’s Chapel, the Mother Church of World Methodism.