Musical Director

The Fair City Singers, an independent choir for 11–17 year olds from Perth schools was formed in September 1989 by music teacher Marion Neilson. From the beginning she has been ably supported by her husband Martin as accompanist. In 1991 the Fair City Junior Singers was formed as a training choir, and, as some of the Dads also wanted to sing, Martin launched the Perth Barbershop Singers in 1997! Fifteen years on, the Fair City Singers continue to attract young people from Perth and its surrounding countryside to sing together and bring pleasure to audiences the length and breadth of the country. You can contact Marion and Martin Neilson by email via this site (enquiries@faircitysingers.org.uk).

Marion Neilson began singing at the age of nine with the Ayr Junior Gaelic Choir. During her teenage years she won many prestigious awards at Music Festivals and Competitions and at the age of 17 won a scholarship to study singing at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. She gained teaching and singing diplomas and went on to combine classroom teaching with concert performances until family life and the Fair City Singers changed the direction of her life. Since 1989 she has devoted herself to fostering a love of vocal music in children and her ability as a choral director was recognised in 1994 when she became runner-up in the prestigious BFYC Conductor of Youth Choirs which was held in Leicester Cathedral. At present Marion is an APT Guidance and Music teacher at Perth Academy.

Martin Neilson was born in Lanarkshire and played the piano from the age of three and church organ from age 14. He graduated MA in Music and Languages from Glasgow University. During his student years he was greatly influenced by Peter Mooney, the conductor of the Glasgow Phoenix Choir. From 1969 to 1975 Martin was accompanist to this choir, touring throughout Britain, USA and Germany. In 1975, after moving to Perth, he held the baton as Musical Director of Perth Operatic Society for 10 years. As well as his professional post as Principal teacher of Music at Perth Academy, he is much in demand as an accompanist at concerts, ceilidhs and cabarets. His additional skills as an arranger of music for the Fair City Singers can be heard on their 1999 CD including ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from the film 'Titanic'. Click here to hear a Real Media stereo clip of this song. Since forming the Perth Barbershop Singers he never has a dull moment.

In 1997 the work of Marion and Martin Neilson with the Fair City Singers was recognised when they were awarded the D K Thompson Award for outstanding service to the city of Perth.