Conductor

Andrew’s conducting work with brass bands dates back to the early 90’s and he tasted success early on, taking Tredegar Youth Band to the European Youth crown in 1994. Since then, he has been busy conducting a number of bands throughout Wales and the West of England, including a very successful time as the Resident Conductor of the Tredegar Band. During this time he worked in conjunction with the finest conductors within the brass movement, including Nicholas Childs, James Scott, Garry Cutt, Steve Bastable, Richard Evans and Russell Gray. This was an extremely important phase in Andrew’s musical development and saw him working with the Band on major works from the repertoire, for all the major contests in the banding calendar, including the British Open, National Finals and the European Championships.


From 2001-2010, Andrew was the Musical Director of the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Band, having first appeared with them as their Guest Conductor, on a very successful 10-day Tour of the United States in 2001. Following that Tour, he became the full-time Musical Director of the Band and went on to conduct them at the National Festival of Music for Youth at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and the Royal Festival Hall, London. In 2004 he toured with them once again, to New Zealand and Australia and then to Poland in 2008.


In 2002, Andrew led the Markham Band to a clean sweep of victories at the 3 Welsh Brass Band Contests of the year, which earned them the title of Champion Band of Wales (2nd Section).


Andrew has been very fortunate to have conducted some very fine soloists during his career including...

• Maurice Murphy: Ex Principal Trumpet – London Symphony Orchestra
• Jamie Prophet: Principal Trumpet - BBC Philharmonic
• Tony Fisher: Session Trumpeter
• Russell Gray: Cornet - Yamaha Soloist
• David Childs: Euphonium - Cory Band

....to name but a few.

In September 2009, Andrew briefly renewed his association with the Tongwynlais Band, becoming their Resident Conductor. During the next 15 months, Andrew, in conjunction with their Professional Conductor Philip Harper, helped steer them to become 2009 National Champions (1st Section), Pontins Champions 2009, Runners-up at the 2010 Grand Shield gaining them a place at the British Open Championships for the first time in their history, plus securing qualification to the 2010 National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.