Hughina Naylor graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in 1979, gaining both the History of Music and Flute prizes. In 1990, Hughina won the prestigious Wingate Scholarship for Great Britain, which provided her the opportunity to study conducting at the Royal Northern College in Manchester and with George Hirst at Canford. During the same year she was co-author of a book with Tim Reynish on 20th Century Repertoire and also contributed significantly to a flute tutor book for Kjos Publications. While studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, Hughina represented RNCM at the prestigious Mid-West conference in Chicago and had the invaluable opportunity of working with some exceptional composers, conductors and musicians from both the USA and UK.
Hughina is currently a Lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Music, teaching Music in Education and Conducting Techniques to students on the Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Music and Post Graduate courses.
For 40 years Hughina taught music in Secondary Schools and for over 25 years was Faculty Head of Performing Arts in three different schools. Over the past 30 Years, she has developed a vast breadth of experience as an SQA visiting assessor, moderator, marker and setter.
Hughina has been resident Conductor of many prestigious ensembles including National Wind Band of Scotland, Strathclyde Schools Symphonic Band, Lanarkshire Youth Orchestra, West Lothian Schools Concert Band, South Lanarkshire Concert Band and North Lanarkshire Concert Band. Currently, she is conductor of South Lanarkshire Senior Concert Band, Stewarton Community Band and Motherwell Symphonic Band.
She is frequently asked to guest conduct various bands and orchestras throughout Scotland. Over the past few years, she has guest conducted in Stirling, Dumfries, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, West Lothian and Dunbartonshire and has also been conductor of many Residential Courses where the musicians were trained and prepared for a final concert at the end of the course. (Isle of Man, Dublin and St. Andrew’s, Scotland)
Hughina is recognised Nationally and Internationally as an experienced adjudicator having worked throughout the United Kingdom and Southern Ireland. Most recently, Falkirk Young Musician and South Lanarkshire Young Musician in March 2022. Ayrshire Music Festival (February 2019), Scottish Symphonic Wind Band Festival in Perth Concert Hall, (March 2019), Shetland Isles Music Festival (March 2019), Highland Music Festival (November 2019), and SCBF in the RSNO Centre. (December 2019)
Hughina has worked extensively as a guest speaker in both conducting techniques and classroom methodology to teachers and Instrumental tutors for various divisions throughout Scotland and has also given presentations in both subjects at RNCM, the SAME conference and both the WASBE and BASWE conferences.
Hughina has been interviewed by Yamaha Publications regarding her contribution to music in education and in February 2006, appeared on National Television where she discussed work, life, balance. (BBC Panorama)
Hughina was nominated for the Silver Salver by Lanarkshire Council for her voluntary work with the internationally acclaimed Motherwell Symphonic Wind Orchestra, which she founded over 30 years ago. Since inception, this exceptional ensemble has donated £170,000 to charity.
Hughina is delighted to be in the City of Aberdeen and is looking forward to hearing the musicians participating in the Music Festival.
Wind Adjudicator Announced