Gerard McChrystal comes from Derry, N. Ireland. He took up the saxophone as a second study for his RNCM audition in 1982. By 1987 he had made his concerto debut with the RTE Concert Orchestra playing the Dubois concerto live on TV in the final of RTE Musician of the Future. His UK debut was with the Philharmonia in 1989 premiering Out of the Cool by Dave Heath. He studied at the RNCM (Manchester) and was the first student to graduate with three awards including a distinction in his PPRNCM. Further studies at The Guildhall School, London and Northwestern University, Chicago followed. He has worked with Philip Glass, The Smith Quartet, guitarist Craig Ogden and Rambert Dance Co. Gerard has performed in 35 countries including USA, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Korea, Sweden and all over Europe including Italy, France, Spain and Slovenia. He has recorded albums with BBC NOW, Ulster Orchestra, and London Musici. His album Aria was named as one of the best classical CDs of 2011 by Classic FM. Orchestras Gerard has worked with include The Philharmonia, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, National Symphony of Ireland, Stuttgart Staatsorchester and the Orchestra of San Francisco Ballet. Venues include San Francisco Opera House, Baku Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, National Concert Hall, Dublin.