Wind Symphony

Written By Josh Cohen

Wind Symphony (WS) is QYO’s leading wind orchestra, offering 75 positions for advanced woodwind, brass, percussion and double bass players of high-school age and above.

WS performs major original works for wind orchestra, world premières and arrangements of symphonic and popular repertoire. WS will perform in three Concerts at Twilight at The Old Museum Concert Hall and the QYO Finale Concert at QPAC.

For WS, positions are offered ‘within the section’ and seating orders are arranged by the conductor within the first few rehearsals.

INFORMATION

  • 75-member wind orchestra

  • Advanced wind orchestra repertoire

  • Conductor: Dr Rob McWilliams (since 2020)

  • Rehearsals: Fridays 7.00pm-9.30pm at The Old Museum

  • Sectional tutorials: on selected Fridays during rehearsal time

  • Weekend music camp: Luther Heights, Coolum, Friday 1 to Sunday 3 March 2024

ELIGIBILITY

  • Minimum AMEB Grade 7 (guide only)

  • Maximum age limit as at 31 December 2024: 23 years

  • Applicants who are in primary school in 2024 who play wind, brass and percussion instruments are not eligible to audition for, or join WS

INSTRUMENTS

  • Flute (9), Piccolo (1), Oboe (2), Cor Anglais (1)

  • Bb Clarinet (18), Eb Soprano Clarinet (1), Eb Alto Clarinet (1)

  • Bass Clarinet (2), Contrabass Clarinet (1)

  • Bassoon (4), Contrabassoon (1)

  • Alto Saxophone (2), Tenor Saxophone (1), Baritone Saxophone (1)

  • French Horn (5), Trumpet (6), Trombone (4), Bass Trombone (2), Euphonium (3), Tuba (4)

  • Double Bass (2)

  • Percussion (7)

Conductor

Featured
Rob McWilliams
Rob McWilliams

Dr Rob McWilliams was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He holds a Ph. D. in Music/Music Education (conducting focus) from the University of Minnesota, a Master's degree in Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University, and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Melbourne. Dr. McWilliams was a United States resident from 1991 to 2014 and served as Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh from 1996 where he also served as Head of Music from 2011 to 2014. Dr. McWilliams has conducted and presented at major music conferences in Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Europe, China, all states of Australia, and has been published in the Journal of Band Research, Teaching Music Through Performance, and is a composer/arranger with Alfred's Music. In early 2015 he relocated to Brisbane, Australia where he is currently working for Yamaha Music Australia as their Education Outreach Clinician, as well as teaching sessionally at the Jazz Music Institute and freelancing as a musician, educator, conductor, composer/arranger, and adjudicator.

Josh Cohen https://www.squarely.com.au
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