THE conductor Garry Walker has been appointed the artistic director of conducting at Scotland’s leading talent school.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow has announced that Walker will be the first musician to hold the position.

From Edinburgh, Walker studied cello with noted American cellist Ralph Kirshbaum and conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music.

He also attended masterclasses with the late French composer and conductor, Pierre Boulez.

He has been visiting professor of conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for two years.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: "We've long admired the quality of Garry's teaching and his conducting and are tremendously excited about how this closer association with the RCS will elevate our programme into being among the finest internationally.”

Walker said: "I look forward to further developing the conducting programme at RCS and seeing the positive impact our students have in music both here in Scotland and internationally. It’s very much our aim to create an international centre of excellence for conducting here in Scotland."

Walker has been involved with the conducting programme at RCS for a number of years as visiting lecturer.

He will also take up the position of chief conductor of the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz from September 2017.

Walker was permanent guest conductor of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, principal guest conductor of Royal Scottish National Orchestra, principal conductor of Paragon Ensemble and now also works with the Red Note Ensemble.