After several requests to the Manchester Education Committee Music Service, Andrew was eventually given a bassoon at the age of sixteen and completed his first Tutor book (A Tune a Day) in one week. Andrew’s progress was so rapid that he was appointed Principal Bassoon in the Manchester Youth Orchestra within six months of starting, and performed the Weber Bassoon Concerto in a Music Service Showcase Concert at the Royal Northern College of Music just twelve months after he played his first note. In September of 1979, just two years after starting the bassoon, Andrew was accepted on an under graduate course at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Andrew graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 1983 with a diploma in Professional Performance (PP RNCM). He then embarked on a freelance career. Andrew has performed with the Halle, BBC Philharmonic, Northern Sinfonia, Manchester Camerata, and the Manchester Sinfonia, orchestras from 1983 – 1994. He then managed to secure a permanent full-time bassoon position in the National Chamber Orchestra of South Africa (October 1994), and the Principal Bassoon post in Bloemfontein, with the Performing Arts Council of the Orange Free State (PACOFS) in April 1995 – April 1997. Whilst working in Bloemfontein, Andrew’s charisma, musicianship, skill as a bassoonist, sincerity, and love of his art made him a very popular figure amongst the musical fraternity there. He appeared as soloist, as part of chamber ensembles, and in humorous school demonstrations where he entertains as the eccentric ‘Professor Windwood’ (German pronunciation please – VindVood) showing through science how the woodwinds work, as well as in the orchestra in symphony concerts and in the pit for the opera season. The critic for the local newspaper ‘Die Wolksbad’ regularly mentioned Andrew’s performances after orchestral concerts, for example after a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony it was written, ‘Andrew, the bassoonist makes his instrument talk’.

Andrew’s abilities do not stop at playing; he appeared on Northampton’s Derngate Theatre as Mr. Bumble in a local production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver, singing, acting, and dancing! Andrew carried off his part with so much flair, humour, and aplomb that many people still talk about it today. This reveals the dedication, energy, and commitment Andrew is prepared to put into all his roles whatever they are!