M Mus (UNSW), LMusA, AMusA, Dip Mus Ed

Brian has made an impact on the banding community in Australia and New Zealand as an outstanding music director, soloist, performer and educator.  At the tender age of 15 Brian returned to Sydney and was awarded a NSW Conservatorium Scholarship.  He studied with such brass luminaries as Allan Mann, John Robertson, Arthur Stender, John Battersby and Norm Harris. From this excellent tutelage he gained a position in the 1971 and 1972 Australian Youth Orchestra. 

Brian’s father, Frank, was a champion of band music in the community.  At one stage Frank taught not only Brian but also many NSW Australian and International brass soloists, Frank was one of the first music directors to teach and allow females into our band movement.

Brass bands have always been a passion with Brian.  In 1973 he was appointed to East Hills BHS as musical director and teacher. Within 5 years the band had won a NSW and National title.  In the 1980’s he conducted the Sutherland Junior brass and was successful at 2 NSW junior A grade titles.

The1983 and 1985 he directed the NSW Youth Brass Band in a tour of Central Australia and New Zealand.  Directors of current A and B grade bands and professional players were part of these two fine bands.

As a trainer and director of Concert Bands, he directed numerous NSW A grade junior and senior Concert Band championships with Lane Cove, The Forest High School, Port Hacking High School and Southern Wind Orchestra. In 1988 Nationals Brian directed Lane Cove Junior Concert band to their only A grade success.

Exploring current thought in musical education and assessment led Brian to complete a Masters in Music at university of NSW, 1996-1998. Following this area of study he has applied the learning of aural and educative techniques learnt into the acceleration of young brass musicians of the future.

Brian has a passion for the music of Australia and for Australian performers.  In 2002 he world premiered two Australian works for trumpet/cornet and is now preparing an all-Australian production of five Australian brass composers.

Extensive knowledge of the repertoire for Brass has led Brian to be a recognised authority and he regularly reviews current Australian and English recordings and music in international brass forums. In recent years Brian has reviewed for Muso’s Media, Australian Trumpet Guild and the International Trombone association.

Brian continues to perform professionally around Sydney; with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia and the Renaissance Players.  In 2006 Brian and the Mello Tones recorded their 4^th CD for ABC jazz with Don Burrows as featured artist.  In the commercial scene he has performed with The Who in 1973 in the rock opera Tommy.

Brian has been a member of the Australian Brass, Pacific Brass, and Sydney Brass (under Ken Smith).  He has also been principal cornet with a special Australian band in 1977 with Geoffrey Brand in Canberra. He has played as a guest player with New Zealand Band A grade bands for the last 20 years. This wealth of experience is now available to Willoughby Brass members who want to join in the musical fun every Monday evening rehearsal. 

As a soloist Brian has won nine Australian cornet and 15 NSW cornet championships.  A highlight of Brian’s performing career was winning the 1988 World Expo Cornet Championship.

Brian is married to Debbie and they have two delightful daughters, Kelly and Siobhan are both members of Willoughby Band.  Both girls have a free spirit and dance, play piano and brass