The press sometimes refers to Andrew Bond as the most succesful singer/songwriter for children in Switzerland. How do they measure success? Is it the over 250 000 CDs sold? Is it the hundreds of mostly sold out concerts? Is it the fact that there is hardly a kindergarten or school class in Switzerland that doesn't sing songs of his? Is it that some of his songs are so well known that everyone feels they've been around for decades?
Luckily writing and performing for children and their parents isn't a competition. Switzerland has a number of well known and loved singers and bands for children.
Andrew himself enjoys his work and the success but is fully aware of the fact that there is more to life than this. |
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Andrew Bond was born in 1965 in Leeds UK and has an English father, a Swiss mother, a brother and a sister. He has been married for close to 20 years and has two children.
Andrew spent his childhood in Yorkshire and in DR Congo as the son of two primary school teachers, who were engaged in church, social life and music.
When Andrew was 12 the family moved to Switzerland where the children first had to learn Swiss and High German. Andrew went on to high school and University, taking the equivalent of an MA in theology.
During all these years Andrew was engaged in youth work and from the age of 21 he taught religion and music at secondary school level for 17 years.
He shared home and wage jobs with his wife. Like most parents he had the urge to sing with his children about everyday things and holidays, games and animals etc. But he just couldn't find appropriate songs. So he wrote some and recorded them on a tape for his children Joy and Tim. Neighbours and family members wanted copies and Andrew had 300 CDs printed. (Other people have expensive hobbies, too.) Somehow the fire broke out and now the first CD has been sold over 70 000 times. 10 years, 10 CDs and a number of books later Andrew earns his living with his small publishing house, with concerts and courses for teachers.
Andrew still has friends and family in England and visits the Yorkshire Dales frequently. So he is thrilled to take part in the first Kinderkonzerts in York. These openair festivals for children are the big thing for families in Switzerland.
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