Interview with George McPhee, Paisley Abbey's Organist and Director of Music

David Hill
Friday, May 9, 2025

George McPhee has spent more than 60 years shaping the sound of Paisley Abbey, mentoring generations of musicians and transforming its musical life. He reflects on a lifetime in Scottish church music, from early piano lessons and art school ambitions to championing Renaissance polyphony and rebuilding the choir for a new era

George McPhee has been organist at Paisley Abbey since 1963 (image credit: David Davidson)
George McPhee has been organist at Paisley Abbey since 1963 (image credit: David Davidson)

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Now in his seventh decade at Paisley Abbey, George McPhee reflects on a lifetime in church music

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