conducting
Conducting is certainly one of Andrew's primary interests, and in both rehearsal and performance, he feels most comfortable in front of an orchestra or choir.
Andrew was introduced to conducting through a challenge from his then organ tutor, Dr John Harrison, to establish and conduct a chamber orchestra. Thus, in 1999, aged fifteen, he established the Ancient and Modern Chamber Ensemble; a body of young musicians who either played or sang, as required. The group was maintained until he left home for college in 2003. He also began to assist in conducting school groups, and was made the conductor of the Preseli Orchestra.
These early experiences of conducting helped Andrew on his way to the organ scholarship at Magdalene College, Cambridge, for which he was selected largely on his ability to direct and interact with a choir. The scholarship gave him part directorship of the Chapel choir, which afforded him a great amount of time in front of a choir: it was an invaluable experience. During his time at Cambridge, he was also granted the opportunity to conduct the student-led Orchestra on the Hill, which gathered students from five of the colleges north of the river.
