GUEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Andrew
Dicks
Andrew Dicks was born and educated in Leicestershire, England. He studied piano and organ whilst at school but went on to read industrial chemistry at University, graduating with both BSc and PhD degrees before pursuing a career in industry. He is now a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland.
Andrew brings to the Brisbane Concert Choir a lifelong passion for music - as choral conductor, accompanist and singer. He holds the ARCO, and for many years was organist and choirmaster at the parish church of Hampton-in-Arden, a picturesque village in the heart of England. There he formed the Hampton Singers, a mixed voice community choir. Keen to explore the choral repertoire, Andrew has conducted the choir in performances that have ranged from the lesser known Handel Chandos Anthems with orchestra and the “Handel” organ at Great Packington, to a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen. Andrew was also the founder conductor of the Oriana Singers of Cambridge; a group of experienced musicians that meet several times a year for weekends of intensive rehearsing and performance. This chamber choir continues to sing regularly in the various college chapels in Cambridge and has taken part in festivals throughout England.
Andrew had the privilege of being a member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus under Simon Halsey, from 1984 to 2000, when Sir Simon Rattle was conductor of the orchestra. He served on the chorus committee, and with the chorus toured the USA, Canada and Europe. As a member of the CBSC, he had the opportunity of taking part in numerous concerts and acclaimed recordings with some of the leading artists of our time.