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biography
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Andrew grew up in the Caribbean and Far East before finally settling in Kent. He was selected to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in June 2008 in a public masterclass with Valery Gergiev. Other masterclass performances include those with Bernard Haitink and Marin Alsop.
Generously supported by the H R Taylor Trust Award for Conducting, Andrew was a Postgraduate Scholar at the Royal College of Music in London. There he prepared the RCM orchestras for conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Sir Roger Norrington, Andrew Litton and Alexander Polianichko. He has conducted the St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra whilst studying with Polianichko in Russia. Andrew conducted The Marriage of Figaro at the Britten Theatre in 2007 and has been an Assistant Conductor for all operas of the Grange Park Opera 2008 season.
Andrew has performed as concerto soloist on both the trombone and the piano. As a trombonist, he has freelanced with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Philharmonia, Hallé, London Sinfonietta and Opera North. He has toured South America and Europe as a member of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester under Claudio Abbado and Philippe Jordan. Chamber music has included winning the Over-Seas League Music Competition with the Lancier Brass Quintet and concerts with the London Mozart Players Quintet.
Andrew has presented The Early Music Show on BBC Radio 3 along with several features broadcast on the same station, including an interview with Trevor Pinnock. He is the Principal Conductor of the Orpheus Sinfonia and the Assistant Conductor of the Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra. He was the 2006 recipient of the Bob Harding Bursary for Young Conductors. Andrew won the 'Star Award' from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust in 2005 and the Charles Leggett Award administered by the Musicians Benevolent Fund in 2006: he is extremely grateful for the support of these trusts.
Andrew is currently working for English Touring Opera as Staff Music Director for the Autumn 2008 season. He will conduct performances of both Carmen and Rusalka for ETO in November. Future plans include working at the Royal Ballet as Cover Conductor for Barry Wordsworth.
www.andrewgourlay.com
