Simon Cawthorn graduated from the University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music in 2002, majoring in Classical Trumpet.  As a student he worked extensively with Bruce Lamont and Yoram Levy, Principal Trumpet players with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
 
Simon has won numerous awards for performance on trumpet, flugel and tenor horn, including Tasmanian State titles.  
 
Simon has played trumpet in many wind and brass bands and ensembles in Greater Hobart, including the Tasmanian State Concert and Brass Bands and has played in Tasmanian productions of the musicals Cats and Beauty and the Beast. Simon has also augmented with the Melbourne Opera Company and travelled with bands to Japan, China, Canada and the US, playing with some of the leading ensembles in these countries.  In 1995 he performed at the World Marching Band Expo in Japan and in 1999 at the world-renowned Calgary Stampede (Canada).
 
Simon is a specialist brass and percussion teacher with the Tasmanian Education Department, teaching at a number of schools in Hobart.
 
Simon was appointed Conductor of the Hobart City Brass Band in 2004. During his tenure the Brass Band has progressed from D-Grade to A-Grade.  He has led the Band to win the National B-Grade Brass title twice, in 2007 and 2009.

Simon has conducted the Hobart City Jumior Brass Band since its establishment in 2007 and has led it to three B-Grade titles: Tasmanian B-Grade Brass Champion in 2008 and 2009 and Australian National B-Grade Brass Champion in 2010. 
 
Simon is also Principal Trumpet in the Hobart City Wind Symphony.