Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
A professional musician with 40 years experience as a performer, conductor, composer, producer & musical director. Awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 For significant service to music as a composer, conductor, musician, performer and musical director. Critically acclaimed musical director and co-artistic director of hundreds of jazz, orchestral, country, opera, ballet, children’s, world music, rock’n’roll, rhythm & blues performances and festivals – locally and internationally. Writer and producer of more than 150 CD recordings with many leading musicians and arts companies for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Composer/Music Director for Film & TV projects including ABC TV - New Eden & the Feature FIlm: A Heartbeat Away Music Director and Producer of sell-out live musical events working with artists and organisations including: James Morrison - Tommy Emmanuel - Kate Ceberano William Barton - Tim Freedman – The Whitlams – Rob Guest – Nancye Hayes – Ann Wood – Rachel Beck – Mirusia – Geraldine Turner – Ann Wood – Sharon Millerchip - Adam Lopez – Jay Laga’aia – Greg Moore -Monica Trappaga – Judi Connelli- Riley Lee – Jane Rutter – Marshall McGuire – Rhonda Burchmore - George Spartels – Teddy Tahu-Rhodes – David Hobson – Yvonne Kenny - Sean Ruane -The Queensland Orchestra – WASO – ASO –TSO – MSO – Berliner Philharmonik – Dortmund Konzert -The Queensland Ballet – Opera Queensland – MASKE -BBC Concert Orchestra – Royal Philharmonic -Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra -Andrew McKinnon Presentations - Brisbane RiverFestival -Auckland Philharmonia – Manly Harbour Rhythms Festival - Queensland Biennial Festival of Music - Blackwood Specialties: Musical Direction Conducting Composing Orchestrating Record Producer
Commited to arranging or composing more than a dozen new works for the Queensland Pops Orchestra. The focus will be on writing genre specific works to an emerging orchestral audience that enjoys music that touches the heart and uplifts the spirit
Written for and produced music for more than 150 CDs recorded in collaboration with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Composed music for ABC TV & ABC Radio - including the 2000 Olympic Theme
Selected Concerts, Festivals and Recordings • Adelaide Art Orchestra (Australia) • Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Australia) • Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (Australia) • Auckland Philharmonia (New Zealand) • Australian Pops Orchestra (Australia) • Barrier Reef Orchestra (Australia) • BBC Concert Orchestra (UK) • Brisbane Festival (Australia) • Brisbane River Festival (Australia) • Dortmund Konzert (Germany) • Festival of Perth (Australia) • Lexington Philharmonic (USA) • Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (Malaysia) • Orchestra Victoria (Australia) • Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra (Australia) • Queensland Pops Orchestra (Australia) • Queensland Symphony Orchestra (Australia) • Queensland Youth Orchestra (Australia) • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK) • Scotland the Brave Orchestra (Australia, Canada & USA) • Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (Australia) • West Australian Symphony Orchestra (Australia)
1994-1998 Artistic Director/Conductor “Kazzoo Chamber Orchestra” - Executive producer responsibilities • 1998 - Artistic Director of Lord Mayors Gala Concert, Brisbane - Executive producer responsibilities • 1999 - Artistic & Musical Director for the City of Townsville New Years Eve Celebration - Executive producer responsibilities • 1999 - Composer/ Co Artistic Director “George meets the Orchestra” Out of the Box Festival - Executive producer responsibilities • 1999 - Queensland Biennial Festival of Music Composer in Residence and CoArtistic Director of the Townsville Program • 2000 - Pasminco Century Mine Opening, Composer & Artistic Director working with gulf communities in North Queensland (4 month project) • 2001 - Music Director & Co Artistic Director for the Centenary of Federation Military Tattoo, Townsville 2001 – present - Artistic Advisor Barrier Reef Orchestra (Townsville) • 2003 – present - Artistic & Music Director for Blackwood - Executive producer responsibilities • 2004 - Artistic Director for 75th Anniversary of Brisbane City Hall - Executive producer responsibilities • 2005 - Artistic & Music Director for Brisbane’s VP60 Gala Concert - Executive producer responsibilities • 2005 - Co-Artistic Director Camden Haven Festival 3 Brothers Project • 2006 -Artistic Director of the grand opening of the MBC Concert Hall - Executive producer responsibilities • 2006 - Composer & Artistic/Music Director for opening event State Library Queensland Illumination event - Executive producer responsibilities • 2006/7 - Artistic Director/Producer for Manly Harbour Rhythms Festival - Executive producer responsibilities • 2010 – Artistic Director/Producer for Lord Mayor's “Lighting of the Christmas Tree” Brisbane - Executive producer responsibilities • 2014 – Artistic Director & CEO, Bethlehem Composers Orchestra USA - Executive producer responsibilities
1994 – 1998 Artistic Director/ Music Director/Composer/Arranger for the Educational Chamber Orchestra Kazzoo • 1994 – 2006 Music Director/Producer of 20 educational CD's for the pre-school age for ABC for Kids - Executive producer responsibilities • 1995 -2010 “Kiddies Cushion Concerts” Conductor & Music Director working closely with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's Education Unit. • 1996-2003 Musical Director/Conductor for Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra selected Family & Education Concert Series • 1998- 2002 Musical Director/Conductor for Adelaide Symphony Orchestra selected Education Concert Series 2002 -2008 Musical Director/Conductor for West Australian Symphony Orchestra selected Family Concert Series • 2002/3 Artist in Residence Sheldon College – teaching composition to 8-12 year who had no formal music training. • 2002 – present - Ambassador for the Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF). Created partnerships with youth detention centres across Queensland to start music programs. Instrumental in brokering an agreement with the Government of Queensland and the Queensland Education Department to partner with the ACMF • 2004 - Guest Artist Singapore American School Music Festival in Singapore • 2006 – Artist in residence Moreton Bay College • 2009 - Conductor for Queensland Education Department Creative Generations. • 2009 - Conductor for Queensland Education Department MOST program (Musicaly Outstanding Students) • 2009 - Conductor for Queensland Education Department's Maryborough Conference. • 2011/12 – Artist in Residence, Moravian College, Bethlehem, USA • 2012/13/14 - Conductor for Queensland Education Department Creative Generations. 1500 Students and guest artists spend 4 months rehearsing a variety show that is televised nationally • 2013 – Artist Lecturer in composition, Moravian College, Bethlehem, USA • 2014 – Artist in Residence, Moravian College, Bethlehem, USA