Andrew MacGregor in All-Japan Music Competition

April 8 2003

Melbourne based shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) player Andrew MacGregor has been selected for Final of the All-Japan National Japanese Music Competition.

Melbourne based shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) player Andrew MacGregor is one of five shakuhachi players selected for the final of the all-Japan National Japanese Music Competition to be held on May 18th. The competition is open to professional and amateur musicians of any age and nationality and Andrew MacGregor is the only non-Japanese in the final.

Andrew MacGregor first heard the sound of the shakuhachi for only a few seconds in 1970s on a recording by rock musician Leon Russell. He was gripped by the soul-penetrating sound. Andrew MacGregor traveled regularly the 900 kilometers to Sydney to learn from his first teacher and then traveled to study in Japan. Andrew MacGregor had his first recital in 1995, and has performed with koto, Japanese drums, classical guitar, violin, mandolin, clarinet, didgeridoo and others.

Andrew MacGregor will play a traditional piece “Sagariha” (falling leaves) for the competition. In addition to traditional music, he has an extended repertoire of contemporary music such as Chopin and Villa Lobos He is passionate to promote Japanese music as high standard classic music and always chooses sympathetic venues for his performances.

Andrew MacGregor had a successful concert series in January this year with Japanese 21 string koto player Haruko Watanabe.

On June 1st, he will present a concert at St. Michael’s Uniting Church with Tadashi Tajima and his group from Japan. This will see the Australian premiere of Stella of Akané M. Angel, a new work by Japanese composer Satoko Maeda which was arranged specially for Andrew MacGregor.

In August, Andrew MacGregor will have his third joint concert series in Australia with Japanese koto player Miho Yamaji, 1999 grand prize winner of this same competition.

Please visit Japan World Music web site at: www.japanworldmusic.com

Winter Classic Concert
Tajima Tadashi & Andrew MacGregor, shakuhachi
with koto, shamisen and shakuhachi players from Japan, plus Andrew MacGregor’s shakuhachi students.

Sunday June 1st , 7.00pm $25
St Michael’s Uniting Church, Collins Street, Melbourne

Spring Classic Concert Series
Andrew MacGregor, shakuhachi with Miho Yamaji, visiting us again from Japan

Sat 9thAugust Montrose Town Centre, 8pm
Wed 13th August Albury, 6pm
Sat 30th August Melba Hall, University of Melbourne, 8pm with Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble, Yukari Echo Japanese Women’s Choir, massed shakuhachi

Related Topics

Where to buy Japanese Music

Japanese guide to Australia
Japanese World Hotel Guide

Japanese posters & prints

Japanese Music Books

Last edited on 14/05/08 :