Illuminati are a dynamic young chamber ensemble who have performed across the UK with great success. Formed four years ago whilst studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama for the Carlisle Cathedral Composition Competition they continued to play together, recognising the challenge and enjoyment that could be gained from exploring the untapped wind quartet repertoire. As a chamber group they are available to perform for formal recitals as well as for background entertainment at functions and events. Illuminati are renowned for their entertaining rapport with their audiences whilst in concert wherever they perform and have taken part in highly prestigious seasons, recently at The Leeds International Concert Season as well as local music and arts festivals such as Wavendon’s Music in the Garden. As well as these concerts, the group make regular appearances for music societies, soon to appear for the Cowal Music Club and Motherwell Concerts Society and have in the past been supported by the Tunnell Trust. Having successfully appeared at the Tunnell Trust’s Strathgarry Showcase for the last two years, Illuminati have solidified their reputation as an ensemble with sparkle and energy in their music.
As a member of Exeter College’s Chamber Orchestra Katie was a soloist when the orchestra won its section in the National Festival of Music for Youth in London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. A recipient of many scholarships and awards for her playing, Katie recently completed a Masters Degree in Performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under Richard Blake, Alison Mitchell and Janet Richardson (piccolo). In 2004 she won the RSAMD Governors’ Recital Competition and the John Macgregor Flute Prize and in 2006 was awarded the John Knox Prize for general excellence. She has performed with the RSNO, Scottish Opera and Edinburgh Grand Opera Company and is also much in demand as a pit band musician for stage shows on flute, clarinet and saxophone. In 2006 she performed in two musicals in the final of the Cameron Macintosh Highland Quest for a New Musical. In 2007 Katie toured with Reeling and Writhing theatre company’s production of Only the Men which is scored for solo female flautist with music by Eddie McGuire. January and March 2008 sees her tour Germany and Scandinavia with ABBA The Show.
Born and educated in Edinburgh, Fraser initially trained as a violinist, graduating from the RSAMD with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following this, he decided to continue his studies on the bassoon at the Academy, receiving a BMus (performance) with 1st Class Honours and a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, completing his studies in June 2008. During this time Fraser was successful in winning The Governors’ Wind Recital Prize, The Mary D Adams Prize for Chamber Music, The Mozart Concerto Prize, The Concerto Competition as well as the Peter Morrison Prize for overall excellence and contributions to the corporate life of the Academy. His solo appearances include Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and Weber Bassoon Concerto with RSAMD Symphony Orchestra as well as several performances of Michael Daugherty’s Dead Elvis in full costume. Fraser has performed and recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras. He is in increasing demand as a teacher and Animateur.
Susannah has been playing the clarinet since she was eight, although until the age of fourteen her main instrument was the recorder. The clarinet became her principal study whilst at New College, Oxford (where she graduated with a degree in English in 2000) and she held principal positions with several leading Oxford orchestras. Her numerous appearances as a soloist include Weber’s first clarinet concerto with the Glasgow Orchestral Society. She has completed a Masters Degree in Performance at the RSAMD under Yann Ghiro (principal, BBCSSO). In 2002 she was the recipient of the Olive Young Memorial Award. Susannah now teaches woodwind for The City of Edinburgh Council.
After graduating from Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied with Richard Weigall, Jenni Phillips and George Caird, Marian moved to Glasgow in 2001 to study at the RSAMD under Stephane Rancourt (RSNO, Halle) and completed her Masters Degree in Performance 2003. As an undergraduate she won a place on the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme. During her studies at the RSAMD Marian undertook regular outreach work in schools as a member of the Onegin Wind Quintet and succussfully auditioned for the RSNO Apprenticeship Scheme. A freelance oboist and cor anglais player, she performs regularly with Scottish Ballet and is currently on tour with the major musical production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
