Profile: Andrew Morley

​‘What we heard was a marvel…the most convincing, gripping, sheerly beautiful realisation of Gruppen that I’ve heard.’ – Paul Driver, The Sunday Times
 
Andrew studied conducting and orchestration with Denis McCaldin at Lancaster University and later gained a scholarship to study with Peter Stark at Trinity College of Music where he graduated with distinction and won the Ricordi Conducting Prize. He began his career with many ensembles in Lancaster, including symphony and chamber orchestras, chamber ensembles as well as choirs, choral groups and wind ensembles. Whilst at Trinity performances included Aaron Copland's ballet ‘Appalachian Spring’, Heinz Holliger's experimental study in breath ‘Pneuma’ and a concert alongside the late dance-band supremo Stanley Black.
 
Notable work has included Stockhausen’s rarely performed ‘Gruppen’ for three orchestras, an appearance with the National Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta at the Lake District Summer Music festival and the critically acclaimed ‘Medousa: A Miniature Opera’ for which he was composer and musical supervisor. Andrew has worked with soloists Wissam Boustany, David Owen Norris, Tim Jackson, Simon Blendis and Stephen Hough, and has given the première of a new work for ‘DJ’ and ensemble by Gabriel Prokofiev which was later unveiled at the Proms. He has prepared music for renowned film composer Debbie Wiseman, conductors Barry Wordsworth and Ed Gardner, and has performed alongside celebrities such as Jonathan Ross, Henry Kelly and Sir Terry Wogan. Future work includes engagements with the Essex Chamber Orchestra, the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, the Wolsey Orchestra, Trinity Orchestra Harrow and the Dorking Chamber Orchestra as well as his tenth appearance at European Youth Music Week in Germany. Andrew has held teaching posts at Lancaster University, Junior Trinity and Oxford Brookes University and continues the roles of musical director with the Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul’s Sinfonia and the BBC Elstree Concert Band.
 
In February 2004 Andrew was awarded first prize at the Allianz-Cornhill Musical Insurance Conducting Competition (formerly the prestigious British Reserve competition) having received unanimous votes from both jury and orchestra.