Scottish Composer Creates Big Music in a Small Church

Since taking up residence in Coraopolis nine years ago, Alastair Stout has made his mark on the Coraopolis United Methodist Church and the region beyond it.

Stout, 36, who serves as the congregation's music director, most recently has organized the church's Lenten Concert Series. Its next performance is scheduled for April 13. 

He's also earned the admiration of his fellow musicians in the church.

"He's one of the most musical people I've ever met," soprano Amy Stabnau said while sitting next to Stout after a recent piano recital.

Stout, a native of the Shetland Isles off the Scottish coast, arrived in Coraopolis in 2002. He had just earned a doctorate in music composition from the University of London when he immigrated to the United States to work as the music director of the church.

"Coraopolis was at the top of the alphabet on the list of jobs (that were open at the time)," Stout said. "So I just applied for it. I knew nothing about America. I just needed a job and I knew Pittsburgh had a great symphony orchestra."

Following in the footsteps of former music director George Tutweiler, Stout directs the congregation's chancel choir, handbell choir and men's and women's choruses. He described it as "a large music program for a small church," and he sees his role as extending beyond the church's walls.

"I really encourage cross-collaboration [between the local] churches," Stout said, "and we've worked with the Sewickley Methodist Church and St. James Catholic Church. We have a cross-fertilization of musicians, which is very nice."

One such collaboration is the annual performance of The Seven Last Words of Christby composer Theodore Dubois. Each year the work is performed by an ecumenical choir at a different venue. This year's performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 17 in the Coraopolis United Methodist Church.

"It's such a beautiful piece, with a huge organ solo featuring Alastair," said Stabnau, a soloist in the performance.

"Yes, the world positively cracks apart at the end," Stout added.

Stout also will serve as the accompanist for Moon Area High School's upcoming production of Cinderella on May 21. He also worked to put together the first choral performance at the district's new

"I do most of their concerts for elementary, middle and high school," Stout said. "Currently, I"m working working with the high school on their musical. It's a fantastic, fun show."

Throughout the region, Stout is known for his abilities as a composer. His works have been performed locally and around the world by ensembles including the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir and the London Brass.

Stout said he gets inspiration for his music from other art forms.

"I'm pretty sure if I wouldn't be a musician if it wasn't for other art forms," he said. "Everything I do is influenced by other art forms, whether it be a poem or a film or even a landscape. I'm very nature-oriented."

He recently took over as director of the Pittsburgh Compline Choir, an auditioned group that sings each Sunday night at Heinz Chapel. The choir recorded his music on its latest CD, "Blessed, Heavenly Light."

"I'm very lucky in the position I'm in that I can do a lot of traveling in the summers," he said. "I travel all over the states and usually with a destination in mind which I hope will provoke a response from me, in terms of being a musician."