Cheryl Crockett
What got you interested in music?
My Grandad was a folk fiddler and my parents both played folk guitar (and Dad the moothie) – that’s how they met, at Aberdeen Folk Club. Dad was keen for my sisters and I to learn the violin so we could join in with Grandad’s fiddle tunes. As the youngest daughter I was desperate to start lessons so I could keep up with my sisters! We all went to Saturday Morning Schools Orchestras at Aberdeen Music Centre. I started off as 3rd violin in Mr Bolton’s Preparatory Orchestra. We played the Three Mary’s. I loved it!
What is the first album you ever bought?
I don’t remember… The first record my sisters and me were given was a 12 1/2 minute, 7″ vinyl version of Peter and the Wolf specially produced for Ribena by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Vernon Handley. We loved it so much we played it non stop! I still get sad about the duck that’s eaten alive, and hope the wolf and duck were rescued… time to commission Peter and the Wolf II perhaps?!
Where is your favourite place in Scotland?
Apart from Aberdeen beach, it has to be Orkney. It’s a magical place. My mum’s from Orkney and we used to visit her friends and family in the summer holidays – great memories. Mum was born on Sanday – and I first visited the island with Scottish Ensemble, doing a chamber concert as part of St Magnus Festival. It was an amazing and emotional day with brilliant sunshine. I met loads of relatives, and Jon and Di got sunstroke.
If you could see Scottish Ensemble collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
As an Aberdonian and former Harlaw Academy pupil, I would love SE to collaborate with Annie Lennox, Lisa Milne and Emeli Sandé in a NE Diva Night at Pittodrie Football Stadium, to help raise funds to restore the Category B Listed, Art Deco, Bon Accord Baths. Such a stunning building, that has lovely childhood memories for me – the sun shining through the stained glass windows. My Gran and Auntie Val used to take me there when I was little, on ladies day. We all wore flowery swimming caps!
Biography
Born in Aberdeen, Cheryl began playing the violin aged 7. Her love of music grew through participating in GRSO, NYOS, AIYF and playing for many of Lady Aberdeen’s concerts and productions at Haddo House.
Cheryl attended St Mary’s Music School, Guildhall and then Basel Academy of Music. Her teachers have included Jerre Gibson, Pauline Scott and Thomas Furi. She has played in masterclasses with Pinchas Zucherman, Lydia Mordkovitch, Vladmir Spivakov, Victor Lieberman, Ernst Kovacic, and Lorand Fenyves. Her chamber music coaches include Takacs Quartet, Siegmund Nissel, Menahem Breuer, Martin Lovett, Roger Bigley and Leonard Friedman.
Cheryl has been a member of Scottish Ensemble since 1997, and enjoys the variety of life as a freelance violinist, regularly playing as guest principal with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and RSNO and recording with the Scottish Session Orchestra. She has also worked with Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Philharmonic, Scottish Opera, Belle and Sebastian, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart and Kanye West.
Cheryl’s other favourite things include anything to do with her beloved dog Yossi, walks in the countryside, Yoga, and scones with jam and cream!
