14/03/2026
Today was a bit of a sad day as it was my last rehearsal with the Tweed District Youth Orchestra. I have really enjoyed working with this fabulous group of kids but unfortunately I've had to resign as their conductor due to the amount of time involved - mostly due to having to write everything as no repertoire was ever purchased for the project. It pushed my limits as a composer/arranger but it was a serious amount of work - turning a 1.5 hour rehearsal into a 9 hour working Saturday for me, which was not compensated and I could no longer justify spending that amount of time each week on it.
It was a tough decision that I've spent all year considering but I had to do it as it was taking the only free time I have each week away from my family.
But it's amazing how the universe smiles upon all the hard work I've put into this and previous orchestral projects!
I've been invited to put together a youth concert band/orchestra to perform with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra at their end of the year concert! Banora Point High School has kindly offered a venue to rehearse at and the amazing Russ Timbs has offered to oversee and assist with rehearsals as a delegate of the school 🥰
We will be doing intensive workshop days in term 4 leading up to the concert and I'm calling on all past and present students to reach out if they would like to be part of this wonderful experience!
A massive thank you to the NRSO, Banora Point High School, Russ, and all of the students who have already said a resounding 'YES!' to this great opportunity 💖
It's going to be fabulous!!!
