AS A YOUTH
A keen musician, Forrester Pyke began studying classical piano at the age of 7 and went on to study at the London College of Music and thereafter at London University, specialising in piano, church organ, voice, composition and history of music.
As a child, he joined the Children's Opera group in London, which acted both as a theatre company and an agency. This experience allowed Forrester to enjoy success in many roles such as the "Shepherd Boy" in Tosca, "Peaseblossom" in A Midsummer Night's Dream and "Gherardino" in Gianni Schicchl at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, "Mustardseed" in the Royal Shakespearean Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and "Tiny Tim" in the BBC television production of A Christmas Carol, broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1962. He also appeared in "The Avengers" on ITV and his voice was also used in the Judy Garland film, "I Could Go on Singing."
At just 16, he became Organist and Choirmaster of St Michael's Parish Church, Wood Green, London where he stayed for many years until he moved to Scotland.
ON MOVING TO SCOTLAND
On moving to Scotland and gaining his teaching qualifications at Moray House College of Education (University of Edinburgh), Forrester spent 2 years singing with Scottish Opera, the Scottish Theatre Company and the SNO Chorus with tours to America, Italy and Israel.
Aside from his teaching posts with Central Region and Clackmannanshire Councils, Forrester has undertaken many musical directorships with companies such as the Stirling and Bridge of Allan Operatic Society, the Gilbert and Sullivan Societies of Falkirk and Stirling and the Stirling Gang Show. In addition, he was the resident pianist of the Stirling Burns Club for many years.
Building on his early experience as an organist, Forrester has also had considerable involvement with local churches in the Stirling area where he has played at numerous services. He is now the organist and choirmaster of Bridge of Allan Parish Church where he has been in post for over
40 years and has had the opportunity to play for several BBC broadcasts.
SILENT MOVIES/MUSICAL DIRECTOR
As well as his involvement with amateur theatre, Forrester has provided improvised piano accompaniment for silent movies at the Glasgow Film Theatre, Filmhouse Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Eden Court Cinema Inverness, Inverness Film Festival, Falkirk Town Hall, Macrobert Filmhouse Stirling, Festival Theatre Edinburgh and the Festival of Silent Cinema at the Hippodrome Bo'ness, for over 35 years and has composed music for the Scottish Screen Film Archives.
Most memorably, Forrester was musical director for the world premiere at the Macrobert Centre Stirling of the musical "Vincent - The Flame Burns Bright" ,which went on to open in Brisbane, Australia, and he subsequently appeared in the Channel 4 documentary about its release. (Part 1) & Part 2).
Going back to his roots in youth musical theatre, Forrester founded Centrescene in 1995, making it the first young persons' amateur musical theatre in the immediate Stirling area. For 20 years,
Forrester was musical director for every show staged by the company from its first production, Bugsy Malone, in 1995.
Later, in February 2004, he opened Centrescene Stage School which gave the opportunity to young people to not only develop their musical theatre skills but also their confidence and creativity. Centrescene allowed young people to choreograph all or part of some shows as well as contribute to other aspects.
Forrester also co-founded Centrescene's affiliated adult company, Scene 2.
Forrester runs his own internet radio stations, Stirling Fm Scotland and Forrester Pyke Radio (which features his own compositions).
More information on Forrester Pyke can be found Here.