Leading The Music
Musical Director
Jamie Brand, MBE
Born and brought up on the family farm in East Lothian, Jamie studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, specialising in Timpani and Percussion, 20th Century Music History and Conducting, where he was the recipient of the Hugh S Roberton prize for Orchestral Conducting in his final year.
Taking up a post at Annan Academy in 1996 as teacher of music, he has worked in a variety of roles, currently as Principal Teacher of Expressive Arts. In addition to his teaching duties, he has always been heavily involved in the organising and promotion of many extra-curricular activities, including regular concerts and shows, as well as annual UK and European trips.
Jamie still maintains a busy musical schedule outwith the classroom as Musical Director of Dumfries and Galloway Regional Youth Choir, Director of Music at St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Dumfries, Organist of Crichton Royal Memorial Church as well as playing percussion in Annan Town Band.
In what little spare time he has, he enjoys spending time with his family, working on the farm, trying to keep the garden looking at least respectable and collecting vintage cars.
He was awarded an MBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours list for services to Music and Education.
Rehearsal Accompanist
Katharine Durran
Katharine has developed highly acclaimed parallel careers as solo pianist, exponent of new music, chamber musician and song accompanist. She gave her first concerto performance in Edinburgh at the age of 11. After reading Music at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, she studied at the Royal College of Music under Kendall Taylor and Geoffrey Parsons.
For ten years she was pianist of the award-winning group Tapestry. Her other ensembles include Onyx (clarinet, ‘cello and piano) and the Giovanni Piano Trio. Highlights of recent seasons have included trio concerts with former BBC Young Musicians of the Year David Pyatt and Rafal Zambrzycki-Payne, recitals with violinists Madeleine Mitchell and Gina McCormack and the complete Beethoven ‘cello sonatas with Sebastian Comberti.
Katharine’s many CD recordings with singers have been highly acclaimed. Her debut solo album was a much praised recording of the complete Toccatas of J.S.Bach. Tracks from her CDs have often been featured on BBC radio programmes, including Night Waves, Composer of the Week, In Tune, Midnight Oil and Private Passions.
Katharine also conducts, teaches singing and runs community singing groups and choirs for all ages.
Katharine has been based in Dumfries & Galloway now for twenty years. She loves this area’s rural beauty, history, big skies and peace, along with its connections and accessibility for working in all far-flung parts of the country!