Andrew Blackburn

Andrew studied at Melbourne University where he gained a Master of Music degree. He continued his organ studies in England and in France with Jean Langlais. Andrew is a prominent recitalist, his performances having included concertos with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, concerts for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and many concerts both in Australia and abroad. He has been organist at the Toorak Uniting Church since 1981. Andrew has also worked a great deal in the choral music sphere. He has conducted many choral performances in Melbourne, including performances as Director of Music of the Choir of the Canterbury Fellowship and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Society. After establishing the Melbourne Academy Boys¹ Choir in 1987, he competed with prize-winning success at the Béla Bartók International Choral Competition in Debrecen, Hungary in 1990 and 1992. In 1994 Andrew returned to Debrecen to give an organ recital as part of this festival. He has also travelled to Germany, Holland, Italy and Spain as conductor of this choir. In 1997/8 Andrew toured Europe presenting highly acclaimed concerts with the flautist Jean Penny with concerts in Hungary, Italy, Denmark, and Germany. Andrew teaches at the Glen Waverley Campus of Wesley College, Melbourne, where over the last decade he has been responsible for developing a highly innovative music technology facility. Andrew is becoming well known for his work with new music, and has premiered a number of new works including the first Australian performance of Œlittle i¹ by Marco Stroppa for flute and electronics.