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 ANDREW
TOWNSEND started playing the cornet from the age of 11 at Kennet
School, Thatcham, where he received tuition from the local ex-army
and Big Band musician, Gordon Carter. Much of Andrew's time was
spent playing with the Kennet School Brass Band, Newbury Symphony
Orchestra and various other concert bands.
In 1978 he left Thatcham and enlisted into
the army as a musician. He studied for one year under the watchful
eye of Ian Macintosh (London Philharmonic) at the Royal School of
Music Knellar Hall. He became principal cornetist in the Royal
Hampshire Regiment and, in 1984, was posted to Berlin for two years.
During this time he started to develop his love for Big Band and
jazz music, playing with some very fine musicians within the Berlin
circuit. No all of his postings were as glamorous as Berlin -- the
Falkland Island and the Gulf were not his cup of tea!
After transferring to the Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers he established himself as principal
cornetist. He led the Big Band as well as the Fanfare team and the
Brass Quintet. In 1994 he played at the Whitehouse, Washington, USA
in front of HRH Princess Anne and President Clinton.
After serving 16 years in the forces he
came out in 1994. He met David
Reynolds in 1995 when David accompanied him for his LLCM
performers diploma.
In May 1997 Andrew performed on a cruise
vessel for five months touring Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the
Mediterranean and North Africa. He was appointed Head of Brass at
Cheam Hawtreys School in October 1977. As well as performing at
weddings with David Reynolds he is also a peripatetic teacher with
the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust.
January 1999
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