Andrew Farquharson BMus (Hons) was born and raised in Sussex, and from an early age developed a keen interest in music. For his 7th birthday he asked for Piano lessons, and began to study under June Wyatt.

At age 9 he began learning the trumpet under the West Sussex Music Support Service at Primary School, and played in a number of bands within the service; beginning with Trafalgar Concert Band, and progressing through to the Mid Sussex Youth Big Band and Mid Sussex Youth Concert Band, of which he was 'Band Leader' 2003-4.

After completing his A-levels at The College of Richard Collyer ('Collyers') in Horsham, he took a gap year and worked for Club Europe Concert Tours where he gained the position as a Senior Tour Manager; taking youth bands abroad and organising concerts, activities, and making sure everyone on the tour enjoyed themselves.

Click here to read reviews of Andy as a Tour Manager.

Whilst on this gap year, he was awarded a grant from North Horsham Parish Council, which enabled him to purchase a Flugel Horn to play alongside the trumpet.

On this gap year he also organised, together with fellow musician Paul Oldfield, a youth Big Band event called 'In The Swing of Things'. The idea behind this project was to reunite many local players from over recent years, and with support from Horsham District Council, the show was put on in Horsham's Capitol Theatre on 8th April 2005.

Present

In September 2004 Andy started a 3-year degree in Music at Cardiff University, where he studied Trumpet under Martin McHale (Welsh National Opera). In July 2007 he completed his studies and was awarded an Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) degree as a Bachelor of Music. He was also awarded a share of the Elizabeth Griffiths Donation Fund for his role in promoting and encouraging music within the University.

Unlike some musicians, Andy's musical style is not restricted to one particular genre, and this has enabled him to gain experience with many different bands and ensembles over his career. This has continued whilst in Cardiff, and he leads a particularly active life within the Music scene, which includes being the current Musical Director of the Cardiff University Big Band, and in March 2005 he joined the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh (formerly Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh Regiment, before amalgamation in March 2006) on cornet.

Although part of the British Armed Services, the Band is a non-mobilising unit and are very much the 'public face' of the Army within Wales. As a result, they get many high-profile engagements which Andy has played a part in: ranging from regular appearances playing the National Anthems in the Millennium Stadium, to performing to HM The Queen at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance. Another major highlight was the opportunity to tour Australia with the Band in November 2007, and play in the prestigious Sydeny Opera House. As well as performing with the Band, he has also designed their website, which can be found at www.royalwelshband.com.

In October 2006 Andy organized a fundraising event for Oxfam as part of the charity's 'Oxjam Music Festival' event. This took the form of a jazz night at a student venue in Cardiff, and featured the Cardiff University Big Band (led by Andy), and also a ten-piece jazz band called Imperfect Tenth. The evening was a great success, and raised over £450 on the night for the charity. In October 2007, he held the event again with an extra band, the Ch'Boogie Band, and raised over £670.

Future

Having completed his Undergraduate degree, Andy is now working for the Walt Disney Company as an 'Adventure Guide' on their 'Adventures by Disney' vacations. These five-star holidays give families the opportunity to explore a variety of worldwide destinations with one-of-a-kind experiences that let you do things in ways that would be virtually impossible to do on your own. Part concierge, guide and storyteller, Adventure Guides make the holiday a seamless experience and provide personal attention and excellent service every step of the way. From dining reservations to hotel check-ins, from arranging special experiences to ensuring you never have to worry about your luggage, it is their job to make sure your adventure is special. For more information on these magical holidays, please click here.

Depending upon the schedule for this new job, Andy may also be going on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff in September 2008. He is also looking for funding and/or sponsorship to help him do this (Postgraduate courses aren't cheap!), so if you think you may be able to help, please get in contact. For more information about the course, please visit the RWCMD website