Our Conductor

Andrew Hodkinson

Born in London some time ago, Andrew studied at the Royal College of Music as a joint viola and piano student, taking conducting and accompaniment as further studies. Whilst a student he played for the Festival Ballet on tour, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and after gaining a graduate diploma or two, went on to qualify as a teacher at Bretton Hall College of Education.

He auditioned for two professional orchestras and was offered a place in the BBC Training Orchestra, which he turned down, and a place in the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, which he talked himself out of owing to a difference of opinion about apartheid.

Teaching was meant to be a stop-gap whilst preparing and practising for further auditions, but two factors changed this. One was a pathological dislike of conductors (other than himself), and the fact that he enjoyed working with youngsters! Having had conducting lessons with John Russell and Sir Adrian Boult, he tried his hand on the amateur scene and enjoyed it. Choral groups and orchestras all suffered equally, and the playing was kept up in various ensembles, mainly around the midlands. There was a short trip to Iceland to play in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, but after 6 months he returned to the UK. Teaching, playing and conducting followed until the present day, when with retirement from full-time teaching, he has more time for the other activities.

He conducts High Peak Orchestra and Gorton Philharmonic Orchestra. Andrew conducted Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra for some 5 years, leaving about 20 years ago for family reasons. The family and the orchestra have let him back now.