John McLeod (composer)

John McLeod (8 March 1934 – 20 March 2022) was a Scottish composer and conductor. His compositional style encompassed a wide range, often incorporating elements of Scottish traditional music and employing a vivid, colourful orchestration.

McLeod studied composition with Hans Gál at the University of Edinburgh and later privately with Peter Racine Fricker. He held positions including Composer-in-Residence with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Head of Composition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).

His output included orchestral works, concertos, chamber music, vocal music, and music for stage and screen. Notable works include The Sun Dances (an orchestral showpiece often performed as a concert opener), Hebridean Dances, and concertos for various instruments including clarinet, percussion, and trombone. Many of his compositions were inspired by or directly incorporated Scottish themes, both historical and geographical.

McLeod received numerous awards and commissions throughout his career and his music has been performed and recorded internationally. He was a significant figure in contemporary Scottish classical music, known for his accessible yet sophisticated musical language.