James Duncan Carey composer / arranger

Jim Carey was born in Wallsend and studied French and Music at King’s College, Newcastle, then part of the University of Durham, now Newcastle University. After National Service he took a Teaching Diploma and taught music in North-East England including banjo, ukulele and piano. After a Bachelor of Music degree he took a post in 1967 at Belfast School of Music and conducted orchestras and choirs in Northern Ireland.

In 1972 Jim moved to Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh and shortly afterwards joined the Society of Recorder Players. From 1976 he was a regular conductor of the Edinburgh Branch and in 1986 he succeeded Eric Gillett as Musical Director.

His first composition for recorder “Mock Baroque” was published in 1983. This and many subsequent compositions and arrangements were first played in manuscript by the branch. There are now some 30 publications in print and distributed worldwide, also several unpublished works in the branch library.

Jim was a visiting conductor for the national SRP and has conducted at many Festivals, bringing new music to Scottish Recorder Festivals each year.

Jim retired as Musical Director in 2003, sadly because of failing eyesight. At the retirement party we thanked him for his extraordinary musicianship and wisdom and recalled some of his jokes and stories over the years.

In 2010 Jim was elected as Honorary President of Edinburgh branch.