Gary Skyrme

Gary was born and brought up in Tenby, South Pembrokeshire. His earliest musical experiences include listening to Tenby Male Choir, of which his father was a member. He started learning piano at the age of five and went on to pass Grade 8 with distinction aged 13, and obtain his ALCM at 17. He was Organ Scholar at St. Mary’s Church, Tenby and also played tenor horn in Tenby and District Brass Band.

Whilst at the University of York, where he obtained a BA Hons degree in Music, he sang in the University Choir and also directed a student choir and the Concert Band.

On graduating, he moved to London to be the producer at Meridian Records, a small independent classical label. There, he produced over 100 commercial CDs between 1994 and 2004. Whilst living near Bromley, he sang with Bromley Parish Church Choir, the Allegri Singers and Canticum, as well as playing the organ at a number of local churches.

In 2004, he and his family moved to Yorkshire. Gary returned to the University of York to study for an MA in Community Music. Family and work commitments meant he was unable to complete the course but he continues to champion music making for all and is the founding musical director of Batley Community Choir. Gary sang with the St. Peter’s Singers, Leeds, under Dr. Simon Lindley between 2005 and 2014, and was the regular organist at Batley Parish Church until 2024. 

Gary continues to make recordings for amateur choirs and ensembles across the country: see Just Music Production for more details. But his 'day job' is now far removed from music! He is the Digital Systems Manager in the Estates and Facilities Service of the University of Huddersfield, looking after all the systems used by the Estates team to manage and maintain the campus.