Alison Green

Alison Green studied at the RSAMD in Glasgow and the Conservatoire de Musique in Geneva. After freelancing with all the Scottish orchestras, including spending a few years as First Bassoon with the Orchestra of Scottish Ballet, Alison joined the SCO in 1990.

Born in Edinburgh, she now lives in Glasgow with her husband, clarinettist Lawrence Gill and her two children. She loves playing with the SCO due to the variety of work and challenges it offers her. One day she can find herself hunting for bears with some seven-year-olds (Education project We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) and the next she can be playing in a high profile concert. In her spare time she teaches at the RSAMD and to relax she enjoys swimming, reading, jewellery making and spending time with her family.

What is your most memorable concert? (either playing or listening)

There are so many concerts which stick in my mind. If I had to choose one, I would say playing Mozart in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with Sir Charles and Alfred Brendel. I love working with these two musicians whom I admire and respect tremendously. Some of the discussions they have during rehearsals are also very entertaining.

What’s on your iPod, or what do you listen to in the car?

I always seem to miss the radio programmes I enjoy due to work or just forgetting they are on. While reed making I enjoy listening to Radio 4 and I have podcasts of programmes like Woman’s Hour on my iPod so I can catch up when I’m on the move.

Tea or coffee?

I limit my coffee consumption to one cup a day and don’t drink it at all if I have a lot to play - it can make me feel a bit jittery.

Photo © Andrew Gill