West Australian Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Conductor

Ross Brennan

Ross commenced his music education at the age of 11, studying clarinet at Hillcrest Primary. He continued through yrs 8 -12 at John Forrest SHS where he was awarded the Music prize in 1976.

Ross received a Diploma of Teaching (Music) and a Bachelor of Education (Music) from Edith Cowan University WA. Since graduating he has taught in city and country schools for the Education Department of Western Australia. As a performer he has participated in the WA Government Schools Concert Band tour of London, Vienna and Switzerland (ISME) 1976, the WA Youth Concert Band and the WA Symphonic Wind Ensemble. As a director he has toured to Albany, Geraldton, Esperance, Singapore and Sydney with school bands, orchestras and ensembles. He has been Director of Music at Carine SHS since 1994 and is now the Head of the Arts. As well as his administrative and teaching responsibilities, Ross conducts the senior concert band and orchestra.

Ross has been involved with the Western Australian Symphonic Wind Ensemble for over ten years performing on clarinet, saxophone and percussion. This is his fifth season as conductor of the band.

Officers

President
Kate Hodgkin

Kate’s love of music began with obtaining a recorder aged 3. She joined her first choir aged 7 and began learning the clarinet aged 10. Kate graduated from Perth Modern School on a full music scholarship (clarinet) in 1996. In the same year, she toured the USA with the National Children’s Wind Orchestra, and attended the Conservatorium/ECU in 1997/98.

Since then, Kate has played clarinet and alto clarinet in a number of wind ensembles, and sung with a variety of choirs including I Voci and Swan Harmony. She has also performs in small jazz ensembles for private functions.

Vice President
Rachel Found

Rachel started playing flute at age 10 and piccolo at 12, learning through the Department of Education’s School of Instrumental Music program. She completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the University of Western Australia. She participated in several ensembles during this time, including the University Wind Quintet, the Bradford Ensemble and the WA Institute of Music Wind Orchestra, which was recorded live on ABC Classic FM in 2002 and 2003.

Rachel then completed a Graduate Diploma of Education in Music at Edith Cowan University, and is currently teaching flute, clarinet and saxophone for the School of Instrumental Music. During her time at university, she was the director of Foundations Performing Arts Company, running and participating in many community performances and concerts.

Rachel is in her fifth year playing flute, piccolo and oboe with the WA Symphonic Wind Ensemble and saxophone with the WASWE Swing Band. She is the current holder of the Peter Hansen Memorial Trophy, an award recognising contributions to the ensemble.

Vice President
Marisa Hobbs

Secretary
Claire Chesney

Treasurer
David Ameduri

Committee Members: Lisa Gerritsen, Paul Steed, Susan Margaret, Krispin Maesalu, Lucinda, Leanne Twomey, Graeme Beeson

Band Members