Born in Kirkcaldy in 1953 Stewart started playing Baritone with Tullis Russell Mills Band, following luminaries such as John Wallace and John Miller and a short head in front of James Gourlay. Three years at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he progressed to win the Governor's Trombone Prize and a James Caird Travelling Scholarship. He was guided by Peter Oram ( BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) towards the Royal College of Music, where he had lessons from John Iveson and Arthur Wilson.

 

Stewart then started a 14-year stint with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Opera in Glasgow, as well as freelance opportunites with most British orchestras.
 

Since 1986 he has been Head of Wind and Brass at Uppingham School in Rutland and Sub-Principal Trombone with Sinfonia Viva (formerly East of England Orchestra). For the past 16 years he has also been a Housemaster at Uppingham. For the uninitiated, this is like being an orchestral manager but with more drunks to sort out!

He would like to see more young players become involved with the BTS and to generate more participation from them at regional and national events.