Dr John Butt of Cambridge University has been appointed to the Gardiner Chair of Music at the University of Glasgow.

Dr Butt, who is a Fellow of King's College, bridges the distinctive traditions of musicology and musical performance. He is an international authority on the music of J.S.Bach and is also active in performing music; as choral conductor, organist, harpsichordist and musical director.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Butt said: "I am absolutely delighted to enter such a vibrant environment where the University is so obviously committed to regenerating the Music Department."

As Head of the Department of Music at Glasgow he will have particular responsibility for developing the academic and research profile of the department in a role which will complement Professor Graham Hair's brief as Director of Music in the University

Dr Butt began his academic career as a lecturer at Aberdeen University in 1986. Two years later he moved to the University of California at Berkeley as University Organist and Assistant (later Associate) Professor in Music. In 1997 he returned to Cambridge, where he had been Organ Scholar at King's College while an undergraduate from 1979-82.

He has published widely on Bach and the Baroque era and has recently completed a cultural study of the contemporary interest in performing in the historical context using period instruments and techniques.

As a performer he has recorded extensively on organ, harpsichord and clavichord and his concert work includes his time as director of the UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus and the Philharmonia Baroque chorale. At Cambridge he founded the new mixed choir, King's Voices, which sings in the Chapel on days when the College Choir is not present.

Dr Butt, who is 40 and married with four children, will take up his post in October.

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Further information can be obtained from the University Press Offcie on 0141 330 3535 or from Dr Warwick Edwards, Department of Music: 0141 330 4571

First published: 2 May 2001