Gerard McChrystal, born in Derry, Northern Ireland, was the first student to graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music with three awards. After postgraduate study at the Guildhall School, London, he went on to win numerous national prizes and scholarships, including the Royal Over-Seas League, the Lombard & Ulster Foundation Award, and a scholarship to study with Fred Hemke at Northwestern University, Chicago, where he gained his master’s degree. His UK debut came with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the premiere of Dave Heath’s Out of the Cool, followed by Shaun Davey’s Relief of Derry Symphony with the Ulster Orchestra, recorded for his first CD.
Since then, Gerard has performed in over 35 countries, collaborating with artists and ensembles including Philip Glass, the Soweto String Quartet, Rambert Dance Company, Craig Ogden, and vocal groups Anúna and Codetta. A passionate advocate for new music, particularly by Irish composers, he has released 15 acclaimed recordings with orchestras such as BBC NOW, the Ulster Orchestra and London Musici. Gerard is Professor of Saxophone at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, and teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. A Vandoren Artist and former Ambassador for Derry–Londonderry UK City of Culture, he continues to champion the saxophone through performance, teaching and recording.
