South Lanarkshire Sinfonia

John Cushing was Principal Clarinet of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for 36 years, working with some of the world’s great conductors, composers and soloists.

As a soloist himself he has performed all the major clarinet concerto repertoire and is the dedicatee of Sir James MacMillan’s Clarinet Concerto “Ninian” which was written for him. John has been on the teaching staff of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (previously RSAMD) since 1978. Over the years he has conducted ensembles of all hues and forms from Quartet to Symphony Orchestra and is particularly proud of being the Artistic Director of The Scottish Clarinet Choir, a super-ensemble of 40 clarinets of all sizes that performs all over Scotland and the North of England, mostly in Cathedrals and historic churches.

As a Chamber musician he has performed numerous world premieres as well as the standard clarinet chamber music repertoire. John is a recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society Salomon Prize and is an Honorary Doctor of RCS. John has a passion for orchestral music and a passion for playing it really well – and he would really like you to join him on that journey in the South Lanarkshire Sinfonia!