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Andrew Walker, Budding "Arts Entrepreneur"

                                by Greg Leevy, Alumni and Diversity Affairs Office

In the summer of 2000, fifteen year old Andrew Walker (Drama '03) had no idea that the Academy drama program would eventually lead him to headlining a classical concert eight years later at the glorious Sottile Theater in Charleston. But that is exactly what will happen three weeks from now when Walker hits the stage of the 800-seat theater to perform his original arrangements of Radiohead's music.

The year after attending the Academy, Walker left Columbia's Dutch Fork High School for the residential drama program at the Governor's School. When asked if it was what he anticipated, Walker declared, "No!  It was way more demanding than I expected. The Governor's School was all about attention and detail, which was what I needed." His drama teachers (especially during Studio 4 year), Dr. Thomas, Ms. Schantz, and Ms. Morton were his biggest influences.

Walker decided he wanted a liberal arts education. So he, along with drama classmates Kenneth Camp '03 and Cassie Barker '03, headed to the theatre program at Otterbein College in Ohio. But tragedy struck his first semester - Walker's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. He returned to SC to care for her, enrolled in the College of Charleston (CofC), changed majors to feed his long-burning desire to make music, and eventually started re-imagining the tunes of one of his favorite bands.

On April 2, 2008, the College of Charleston School of the Arts will present Walker and fellow Music Theory/Composition major Lee Marchbanks (pictured together above, Walker on the left) in Fitter Happier at the Sottile Theatre. It is a concert of 13 original arrangements for classical ensembles of Radiohead's music. The performance will feature a grand piano, electric piano, two cellos, violin, double bass, flute, two percussionists, and a choir. Recognizing the band's appeal to young audiences, and hoping to expose them to classical musical forms, the producers are holding Fitter Happier ticket prices at $5. Proceeds will benefit Charleston Breast Center.

Walker graduates this year. He intends to become "an entrepreneur in the arts - a producer, director and performer" in theatre, music, and other artistic expressions. Whatever his future, he will carry with him the three things he remembers most about his Governor's School experience: 1) the fear he felt before voice lessons with Mr. Tromsness; 2) the Governor's School community at "The Rock"; and 3) the uncontrollable urge to play the piano in D-200 when he should have been learning lines.

For now, the budding arts entrepreneur hopes you join him in Charleston on April 2 to celebrate everyone whose life has been has touched by breast cancer. (BTW, today Walker's mom is fitter, happier, and cancer-free.)

Two-time Emmy winner Virginia Friedman is filming the concert. If you would like to reserve seating in the Governor's School Alumni section at the April 2 concert, contact Greg Leevy at alumni@scgsah.state.sc.us or 864.282.3693.