Jillian Bain Christie & Harry Williamson
Part of St Andrew's Cathedral at Noon Recital Series
Jillian Bain Christie
Jillian is a Scottish soprano and visual artist, currently based in Norfolk.
Originally a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Jillian subsequently studied Music at the University of Aberdeen, graduating in 2012 with a 1st class Honours degree. While in Aberdeen, Jillian was the recipient of a number of awards, in both performance and composition.
Jillian continued her studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London as a TCM and Helen Roll scholar, under the tutelage of Joan Rodgers CBE and Linda Hirst. Jillian completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Performance in 2013, and a Master of Fine Art in Creative Performance Practice in July 2014, attaining distinctions in both. Jillian continues to study privately with Joan Rodgers.
Jillian is committed to the promotion of contemporary classical music, and regularly gives first performances of music by living composers. She frequently collaborates with internationally renowned composer Paul Mealor, and has premiered many of his compositions, notably performing the soprano solos in his Symphony No.1 ‘Passiontide’ with the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, and in Song of the Ocean with Michael Collins and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Other performance highlights include the creation of the title roles in two operas by Joe Stollery, in association with Tête à Tête and SOUND Scotland; Stockhausen’s Stimmung at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre; and soprano soloist at Britten Pears Snape Maltings, with Aldeburgh Music Club and Suffolk Baroque Players. Jillian’s own electroacoustic vocal work An Gleann Sàmhaichte was shortlisted for the 2023 Scottish Landscape Awards, and was premiered at the City Arts Centre, Edinburgh.
Jillian combines her singing with a freelance career as an artist and illustrator. Selected projects include artist residencies in Iceland, Aberdeenshire and the JAM on the Marsh Festival, Kent; production direction for Aberdeen Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s 2019 Mikado; and a solo exhibition at the Barbican Library, London.
Harry Williamson
Harry Williamson has been organist and choirmaster at Springfield Church (formerly Craigiebuckler Church) since 2005 and is also the musical director of the Northern Lights Singers, a new choir which comprises members from the former Acclamations Choir and the Morven Singers. Harry enjoys playing piano for singers and instrumentalists at concerts, musical competitions, music lessons and exams and is also the rehearsal accompanist for Aberdeen Choral Society and the Haddo House Choral Society.