Timeless Symphonic Tapestries

Andrew Towsey-Grishaw

Andrew Towsey-Grishaw is currently Visiting Assistant Professor at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. He directs the University Orchestra, teaches an applied studio of violin and viola students, and academic courses in music. Prior to moving to Minnesota, he was the orchestra director and a professor of music at California Lutheran University.

Growing up in Turlock, California, Andrew learned piano, violin, and viola, especially enjoying orchestral and chamber music performance. This led to musical study at the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music (B.M.), the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (P.S.D.), the University of Miami, Frost School of Music (M.M.), and the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music (D.M.A.). Andrew studied conducting with Larry J. Livingston, Sharon Lavery, and Cristian Grases.

Andrew’s conducting career has evolved from lifelong passion and involvement in orchestral performance. He has been an active orchestral violist performing with the Pacific, New West, Modesto, South Dakota, and Fargo-Moorhead Symphonies, among others. Andrew also enjoys solo and chamber music opportunities, with a keen interest in promoting living and historically underrepresented composers. His doctoral research centered on music of Mexican composers of the 20^th century. He performs regularly as a recitalist and chamber musician, including as part of Pastiche, the faculty collective at CSB/SJU. Principal viola teachers include Karen Dreyfus, Jodi Levitz, and Basil Vendryes.

Professional affiliations include the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), American Viola Society (AVS), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), and the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teacher’s Association (MNSOTA). Through ASTA, Andrew has been a mentor in the New Canon Project. This annual program pairs a mentor with composers with the goal of diversifying classroom orchestral and choral repertoire. Each year a new composition is created, performed, recorded, and published with Rising Tide Press. With MNSOTA, Andrew has hosted the middle level festival at CSB/SJU and served as an orchestral clinician at across the state.

The 2024-2025 season includes conducting appearances with the Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Amadeus Chamber Symphony, Central Lakes Conference High School Honor Orchestra, as well as a Minnesota Tour with the CSB/SJU Orchestra.