Clayden

Andrew Clayden has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences during a rich career.

Originally from Salmon Arm BC, Andrew pursued musical studies at Douglas College, the University of British Columbia, and finally Northwestern University where he was awarded a Master of Music Performance degree. His teachers included William Trussell, Douglas Sparkes, Gordon Cherry, and Frank Crisafulli.

Following his formal training, he spent one season as Co-Principal Trombone of the newly created “Experimental” Orchestra of Taiwan. This was followed immediately by an appointment to the Quebec Symphony as Second Trombone – a position Andrew held for twenty-one seasons from 1987-2008.

During his time in Taipei and Quebec City, Andrew pursued a wide variety of musical projects in addition to his orchestral duties, including early music, dance bands, studio recordings, chamber music, large brass ensemble, solo performances, and jazz with the “Timononk Jazz Band.”

Since re-locating to Gabriola Island in July 2018, Andrew has performed at the Cultivate Festival on Gabriola, the Nanaimo Jazz Festival, as well as with the Vancouver Island Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Purple Kush’n Funk Unit, Nanaimo Musicians Association Big Band, Benson Brass Collective, Foothills Brass, and numerous ad hoc groups.

When Andrew arrived in Taiwan he was appointed Trombone Professor at the National Arts University. After the move to Quebec City, he continued to teach as a trombone specialist in several high schools and summer music camps. In 1994 he was offered the position of Professor of Brass at the “Conservatoire de Musique de Rimouski,” followed two years later by a post at the “Conservatoire de Musique de Québec” as trombone professor. Eventually this post included coaching chamber music, and even teaching Tai Chi.

Andrew pursued the opportunity to study psychology at Bishop’s University from 2010-13 culminating in a “Certificate in Human Psychology” in 2014. There, Andrew focused on applications of sport-, social-, and adolescent- psychology to training musicians.

In addition to playing and teaching music, Andrew composes and arranges music primarily for brass instruments. His works are available at musicforbrass.com and soon at Cherry Classics.

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