WIND SYMPHONY

Wind Symphony (WS) plays the most challenging repertoire written for symphonic wind band and offers members an outstanding opportunity to develop advanced performance techniques. Conductor Prof. Rob McWilliams is one of Australia’s most respected ensemble conductors who regularly leads workshops for other ensemble conductors looking to further develop their skills.

INFORMATION

  • Conductor: Prof. Rob McWilliams

  • 75-member wind orchestra

  • Advanced wind orchestra repertoire

  • 3 Concerts (Old Museum Concert Hall), Finale (QPAC)

  • Rehearsals/tutorials: Fridays 6.30pm-9.00pm

  • Weekend music camp 28 February - 2 March, 2025 at Luther Heights Coolum

ELIGIBILITY

  • AMEB Grade 7 minimum or equivalent

  • Maximum age 23 years (at 31 December 2025)

  • Primary school students are not eligible for 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)

    All positions are offered ‘within the section’ and seating orders will be arranged and rotated by the conductor.

CONDUCTOR

Prof. 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. Prof. 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.

Prof. 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 sessional teaching at the Jazz Music Institute and freelancing as a musician, educator, conductor, composer/arranger, and adjudicator.

Prof. Rob McWilliams

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Listen to WS In Action.

Equus, Eric Whitacre

QPAC Concert Hall

QYO Finale 2023