Musos of WASO: Andrew Sinclair

Andrew started playing the double bass at ten years of age in Brisbane. In 1989 he began music studies at the University of Queensland and was soon playing as Principal Bass with the Camerata of St Johns’ Chamber Orchestra. He later appeared as soloist with this orchestra, as well as with the University of Queensland Chamber Orchestra. After completing a Bachelor of Music degree with honours in performance, Andrew became sought after by both the Queensland Philharmonic and Queensland Symphony Orchestras. While filling contracts in both orchestras, Andrew also founded and managed The Toombul Music Academy which flourished to a successful school employing 13 teachers tutoring over 250 students.

In 1996 Andrew moved to Vienna to study under Josef Niederhammer at the Vienna University for Music and Performing Arts. After his first year of study Andrew was awarded a contract position with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, where he remained until 2000. He was then accepted as a full-time member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra where he stayed until 2007. Andrew performed regularly with other ensembles including the Vienna Classical Players, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Die Reihe, Vienna Chamber Musicians and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Andrew is very active in teaching and has given masterclasses in Australia and America. His former students perform in professional orchestras in Europe and Australia. He teaches double bass at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and continues to give masterclasses at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the Australian National Academy of Music. He has been invited numerous times to tutor at the AYO National Music Camp.

Andrew regularly appears in chamber music festivals including the Perth International Arts Festival, Soft Soft Loud Festival in Fremantle, the Music on the Terrace series at the Perth Government House and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville. He has been invited to perform with many Australian orchestras and ensembles including Pinchgut Opera, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra. In 2015 he appeared as soloist with WASO. Andrew plays on a Gagliano double bass generously loaned by Janet Holmes à Court AC.

Watch the interview here.

The West Australian
Monday, 7 May 2018 2:53PM