Andy Scott’s Sonata for Flute and Harp recently featured in Harp Carnivale 2014, the 41st National Conference of the American Harp Society.
The Chicago based Lyrebird Ensemble, comprising Ellen Huntington on flute and Lillian Lau on harp, performed the Sonata in their recital programme at the high profile conference in New Orleans on 23 June. 
The Sonata for Flute and Harp is a popular concert piece, which has been performed in the USA on a number of previous occasions, including twice by the Lyrebird Ensemble. The three movement sonata is influenced by Eastern European folk rhythms and jazz harmony, and employs special effects and timbres, including using the harp as a percussion instrument to create rhythmic intensity. Movements one and three are thematically linked, whilst the second movement stands on its own.
The work has been recorded twice: first on the CD Sonata by the Arabesque Duo, for whom it was written, and subsequently by Clare Southworth and Lauren Scott on The Bad Tempered Flute, a collaborative CD of Andy Scott’s works for flute, which also features flautists Paul Edmund-Davies and Andy Findon, pianists Tim Carey and Peter Lawson, and guitarist Craig Ogden.
The Lyrebird Ensemble is an innovative flute and harp duo based in Chicago. It was formed in 2006 when flutist Ellen Huntington and harpist Lillian Lau began collaborating as members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.  They are dedicated to performing lesser known repertoire written specifically for flute and harp from the late eighteenth century to the present day.
The Sonata for Flute and Harp is published by Astute Music
Click to visit the website for the Lyrebird Ensemble
Click to watch a performance by Caliente (Clare Southworth and Lauren Scott) of the first movement of the Sonata for Flute and Harp 
Click to hear extracts of The Bad Tempered Flute at Amazon

Andy Scott’s New Music Biennial commission for Foden’s Band, soprano / narrator Anna-Clare Monk and harpist Lauren Scott will receive its London premiere next month.
The new work, A Child Like You, will be performed at London’s Southbank Centre on Sunday 6 July at 7.30pm. The concert forms part of a special weekend festival featuring all 20 of the New Music Biennial commissions awarded in the first round of the funding scheme, covering a wide range of genres from classical and chamber opera, to jazz, folk and electronic music. All tickets are free of charge, available from Southbank Centre, and should be booked in advance.
A Child Like You poses questions about children who are fostered, adopted or orphaned, drawing upon the real life experiences of a child refugee who fled Uganda in 1972 and lived with Andy Scott’s own family. Inspired by these real life events, Andy Scott's new 15 minute mini-opera weaves together original text and music into a powerful and thought provoking work. A Child Like You received a very enthusiastic response at its world premiere in Manchester last month.
New Music Biennial is a PRS for Music Foundation initiative, in partnership with Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and the British Council. It is presented in collaboration with BBC Radio 3, NMC Recordings, Southbank Centre and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. Every two years, the New Music Biennial will support and provide a platform for talented organisations and music creators who are pushing the boundaries of new music in the UK. 
A third performance of the new work will take place in a weekend festival of New Music Biennial commissions at Glasgow UNESCO City of Music on Saturday 2 August, linked to the city’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.
Click to view details of the performance of A Child Like You on the Southbank Centre website
Click to visit the Projects section of this website for more information about the New Music Biennial commission
Click to visit the PRS for Music Foundation New Music Biennial website

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Andy Scott will lead an improvisation workshop for classically trained musicians in Cheshire this month in collaboration with Foden’s Band colleague John Barber.

The afternoon workshop led by Andy and John will take place at Foden’s band room in Sandbach on Sunday 22 June from 1.00pm until 4.00pm. Specially designed for brass band players and other classical musicians, the event is open to all and will provide an introduction to improvising in a friendly, supportive environment, promising a fun and funky time. Using Andy’s popular Access All Areas book, the workshop will also give an idea of the feel of different styles of jazz from Latin to swing to jazz funk. Please see the Events section of this website for details of how to book a place.

John Barber is widely regarded as one of the most versatile trombonists in Britain today. He is Principal Trombone of the Foden's Brass Band, a position he has held since joining from the Black Dyke Band in 1996. John was also lead Trombone with the RNCM Big Band and was twice a prize winner of the highly regarded Sema Group Jazz Improvisation Competition. John is Director of the Love Music Trust, the Music Education Hub for Cheshire East and Director of Music at the Sandbach School where he leads the Big Band.

Andy and John have performed together many times in the Latin jazz group Apitos and small jazz ensemble DB5 as well as working together at the Love Music Trust. As composer in residence with Foden’s Band, Andy also wrote an innovative trombone concerto for John. Named Molecular Cocktail Party, the concerto for improvising instrument was inspired by John’s exceptional skill in improvising and ability to play equally comfortably in contemporary classical and jazz genres. Molecular Cocktail Party can be heard on the second Foden’s CD of music by Andy, entitled Spirit of Foden’s.
Click to read the biography of John Barber on the Foden’s Band website

Click to view the CD Spirit of Foden’s at Amazon

Andy Scott will perform with The A Band in an evening of jazz in Cheshire this month.
Entitled Songs from Hollywood, the concert will take place at Sandbach School on Saturday 21 June at 7.30pm. With the strap line Good times – it’s what we do!, the band promises an entertaining and enjoyable evening of popular jazz standards and pop favourites. The concert will also feature the Sandbach School Big Band. Preceded by Pimms at 6.30pm and with optional Black Tie dress, this will be a stylish and fun summer event.
The A Band, featuring vocalists Matthew Ford and Natalie McGrath, is ranked among Britain’s premier function bands. Made up of the finest musicians and vocalists, they have built a reputation for professionalism, reliability and excellence. Top class vocals are complemented by a stunning brass section and rock solid rhythm making up a nine piece line up. Their repertoire is broad and includes the Big Band and Rat Pack classics, Rock and Roll, Soul, Disco, the biggest hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and chart hits of today.
Award-winning vocalist Matthew Ford is widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, broadcasting regularly with the BBC Big Band and the John Wilson Orchestra. Natalie McGrath has captivated audiences all around the world with her vocal talents. She has been performing professionally for over 14 years at many top venues around the UK and worldwide.
Click to visit the web page for The A Band