Andrew Wainwright

Andrew was born in Hastings in 1981. His next significant moment came when he picked up a cornet at age nine. After the sad realisation that he was never going to play for Arsenal FC and several failed applications for the England manager's job, he decided to embark on a BA Music Degree at Middlesex University, which he commenced in May 2005.

Six years were spent at Hendon SA Band before Andrew moved to Bromley Temple SA Band, where he took up the position of Principal Euphonium for two years. He moved to Kettering Citadel Band in February 2007, where he played Euphonium for a year until moving to 1st Baritone.

Andrew has been fortunate to have completed tours to the USA, Switzerland, Portugal, Cyprus, Norway, Denmark and Zambia as a performer and tutor. He has played with a number of musical groups including Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band and Clarence Adoo Brass Band, although the highlight of his playing career has to be playing with European Champion Band Cory at the Royal Albert Hall.

As well as performing, Andrew enjoys composition and he first received acclaim for his compositional skills when in 1997 he came runner-up in Performance, The Arts Channel's Young Composer of the Year for Great Britain.

Recent projects have included commissions from David Daws, Michael R. Baker and Aaron VanderWeele, as well as several arrangements for ITV's Britain's Got Talent star Faryl Smith. He has had several pieces published and has had compositions played by Black Dyke, Foden's Richardson, Fairey, The International Staff Band and of course GUS!

Andrew's biggest project to date was arranging Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace for brass band, choir and organ. It has been performed by numerous groups across the world and a CD was produced of the work in May 2007.

Andrew currently works for Salvationist Publishing & Supplies and World of Brass as a graphic designer and also teaches brass in his spare time.