Page 178 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

Although Kit has been playing music from an early age, he considered going into Law. Some
people might recall him as the active young MYSP who was at the forefront of the campaign
to ban mosquito devices, the high-pitched sound that could only be heard by people
under the age of 25.

He decided that composition was a better fit for him, however, and after applying to several
conservatoires, decided on Guildhall. So the former Bell Baxter and St Leonard’s pupil went
straight from school to London last September to begin the course.

“I started French Horn when I was about seven, taught by a wonderful woman called
Margaret Douglass, primarily an astrophysicist, who taught that at St Andrews University.
Her real passion has always been teaching kids French Horn and particularly jazz French
Horn! For the best part of 10 years I was taught by her,” says Kit.

Kit McCarthy at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He says he pretty much taught himself to compose, along with musician friends and bits he
picked up at school, and even though he played in orchestras, including the National Youth