West Australian Symphonic Wind Ensemble

As the 2011 season is just beginning, it seems a good time to introduce WASWE’s two newest conductors, Andrew Braham and Ivan Shaw, and to reintroduce veteran conductor Ross Brennan. In 2010 all three worked very hard to make sure the concert and swing bands continued to provide a challenging, varied and entertaining program.

Andrew Braham

Andrew began his musical training as a scholarship student at Churchlands Senior High School. His secondary education was followed with a Bachelor of Education and A.Mus.A performance diploma on piano.

He enjoyed being a member of the Perth Modern School music department for over 12 years where he was a class teacher and director of various jazz and wind ensembles.

As an active member of the Perth music community, he has tutored in the private sector, lectured at Tuart College, accompanied and examined upper school students, and played professionally as a pianist and trombonist.

He particularly enjoys conducting and has directed various community ensembles as well as recently touring New York and Canada with Churchlands SHS where he directed the Senior Wind Orchestra.

Currently he is employed as a senior teacher at the School of Instrumental Music (DET) where he teaches brass and directs senior ensembles at Churchlands Senior High and Applecross Senior High.

Ross Brennan
Ross commenced his music education at the age of 11, studying clarinet at Hillcrest Primary. He continued through years 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 sixth season as associate conductor of the band.

Ivan Shaw
Ivan was born in Perth and has lived there all his life. He has played keyboards and saxophone since high school (Perth Modern School) and graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 1996 after completing the Bachelor of Jazz (Arranging). Ivan plays professionally in bands around Perth, and teaches music at schools in the metropolitan area. He has been playing saxophone with WASWE since the end of 2008, and is currently directing the WASWE Swing Band.