Biography

Andrew is a well-known local musician based in the Oxford area since 1974. He also has an international reputation having performed and recorded throughout Europe, North America & Australia and his compositions are broadcast worldwide



He trained in the National Youth Orchestra of GB, Royal Academy of Music, Bretton Hall College and University of Reading where he gained his Master’s Degree in Performance (with Distinction in the public recital). Andrew was elected ARAM in the 2000 RAM Honours List ('awarded to former students who have made a significant contribution to the music profession'). In 2006 he was appointed to the ABRSM Professional Development Mentor Panel



He has extensive instrumental and class teaching experience from primary to tertiary level. He has worked as an examiner (Guildhall), adjudicator at many UK music festivals, and forensic musicologist advising artists, labels and publishers



He co-wrote, recorded & toured internationally with the renowned crossover band Dead Can Dance 1987-93 described by Melody Maker as ‘the best live band in Britain’, his own group Peacock Epoch 1987-92 , and contemporary jazz 11-piece Meltdown 1997-02. He was principal tuba & keyboards in the City of Oxford Orchestra 1974-00 and a founder-member of The Mad Hatter Band 1998-09. He has composed many scores for screen, stage and concert hall including documentary series Fragile Earth, Dispatches, Secret History, Horizon & Inside Story in UK and for the Discovery Channel and Arts & Entertainment Network in USA. He won the Oxford Town Hall Centenary Composers’ Competition in 1997



His ‘Sanvean’ has become well-known through its worldwide appearance on many screen soundtracks and at solemn occasions. It was co-written in 1993 with Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance, Gladiator, Insider, Ali etc). It's been recorded/toured by Sarah Brightman and others. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sanvean&aq=f



Andrew has recently acquired a 1914, 6ft 8in, Broadwood Barless Grand - a piano with a sound all of its own and an interesting history. Broadwood Barless Grands were the finest pianos ever built in the UK having a radical cast steel frame (without crossbars) and Schwander roller action giving a legendary eveness of tone, touch and sustain. It's been newly restored by Dr Alastair Laurence, the world's expert on these pianos and Tonino Bonici (Palace Foreman & restorer, Buckingham Palace)