Andrew started playing at the tender age of five(!) on one of his Dad’s (Brian Till – an ex Solo Baritone with Carlton Main) friend’s trumpets! He joined the learners section of Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Youth Band, which was also conducted by his Dad.

Andy later joined the Junior Band properly aged 10 on Flugel Horn. Showing his family pedigree, by the age of 13, Andy had won the Under 14’s Solo Championships of Great Britain! Whilst he was with the Junior Band, Andy played at 4 National Finals: in 1982 at the Royal Albert Hall (2^nd), in 1984 at the Hammersmith Town Hall, in 1993 & 1994  at the Wembley Conference centre (Champions in 1994)  and in 1998 at the Harrogate Conference centre (Not quite true! He was infact getting married in the
Dominican Republic!).

In 2000 Andy took a step away from Frickley to join the Knottingley Silver band, where he once again brought the band some good luck at the ‘areas’ and consequently they appeared a further 3 times at the National Finals in 2000, 2001 & 2003.

However the highpoint of his career was yet to come! By joining Carlton Main in 2005, he realised one of his all time ambitions – to play at the British Open.

He did this in style, as the band gained their first placing in the prizes for twenty something years!

Hopefully, Andy’s luck at the areas will continue this year, and we will see his favourite band appearing at the National Finals once again!