Archie McVicar
Key Facts
- Instrument: Tuba
Biography
Archie McVicar is a 22-year-old tuba player currently completing his Master of Performance at the Royal College of Music, London. He began his journey as a musician aged 7, joining the local youth brass band on euphonium in Campbeltown, Scotland. Under the direction of his music-teaching father, Archie made quick progress, gaining a principal seat with a Championship Section brass band aged 11. Archie went on to live in 6 different countries throughout his childhood and made the most of it by gaining experience with a wide variety of ensembles. His favourite moments include competing with Brassband Willebroek in Belgium (World Champions 2017-2026) and playing his first orchestral concert with Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra – the latter inspiring him to pursue music professionally.
Since beginning his music studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2020, Archie has seen major successes as a soloist, winning both the RBC Brass Concerto Prize and Brass Solo Prize in 2021, as well as winning Best Soloist at the UniBrass National Championships in 2022, accompanied by RBC Brass Band. He was also honoured to be chosen to give a recital at the Lichfield Festival in 2023 – an opportunity rarely afforded to tuba players. In March 2024, Archie made his debut as a concerto soloist, with Wynton Marsalis’ Tuba Concerto with the RBC Symphony Orchestra, in a performance that was described as “a virtuosic rendition of the Concerto that captivated the audience from beginning to end” (Duncan Fielden). Alongside his solo success, he has also been successful as a chamber musician; winning the RBC Brass Chamber Prize in 2021 and 2022 and being a finalist in the RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize.
As an orchestral musician, Archie has also seen considerable early success; working professionally with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and winning a trial with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Through this work and with various youth orchestras, he has been conducted by Martin Brabbins, Alpesh Chauhan, Ludovic Morlot and Ilan Volkov, among others.
Archie is grateful to be supported by Help Musicians, the Boise Scholarship Foundation, the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Leverhulme Trust.
Award: Musicians’ Company Wind Award 2024