Born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1977, Simon is a conductor, composer and trumpet player. He graduated from the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in 1998, majoring in composition.
Recent premieres of Tasmanian works include Maria Grenfell’s new work, Breathe for Hobart Wind Symphony, as part of the 2021 ASME National Conference in September, Benjamin Cannings’s Cutting out the Noise for the Conservatorium Orchestra in October, as well as ensemble works in December – Manque by Dominic Flynn and nipaluna by Simon Barber.
Simon has been the Musical Director of Hobart City Band Inc. since 1997 and is the conductor of the Hobart Wind Symphony, who he led to the 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2017 National ‘A’ Grade Concert Band titles. Since 2014 the Wind Symphony have presented an annual workshop for composers, presenting works by over 20 composers from across Australia.
In October of 2020 he took up the role of conductor with Glenorchy City Concert Brass, having previously worked with them at national contests in 2017 and 2019. In March of 2020 he took on the position of conductor with the Conservatorium Orchestra and in 2021 added the UTAS Wind Ensemble to his growing association with the University of Tasmania.
He is a respected freelance conductor having worked extensively for the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra in the years 2005-2012, 2016-2020. In June 2019 he was guest Chorus Master of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Chorus for their performance of Riceboy Sleeps as part of Dark MOFO.
In November 2020, conducted the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for the Composing Women workshop, completing the project in July 2021 by presenting works of Brenda Gifford, Fiona Hill, May Lyon and Jane Sheldon. In March 2021 he again worked with the TSO, workshopping new works by Angus Davison and Benjamin Cannings.
Very involved in community music, he has conducted most community bands and orchestras in Hobart over the past two decades, including as the conductor of the Tasmania University Musical Society (2001-2009) and founding Music Director of the Hobart Theatre Summer School (2005-2012). Simon is a past President of the Tasmanian Band’s League (2013-2016) and in 2019 was one of the four finalists in the 2020 Australian of the Year Awards, Local Hero Category (Tasmania).
Simon completed his Bachelor of Education in 2005, having worked for the Tasmanian Department of Education since 2000. He is currently employed as a Brass/Woodwind specialist teacher and conductor at Bellerive, Howrah, Ogilvie, Sorell and South Hobart schools.
Simon is an accomplished Trumpet player. Most recently he has performed in recital with pianist, Michael Kieran Harvey, premiering works by Harvey and Barber. In May 2019 he gave the world premiere of Don Kay’s Concerto for Trumpet with Winds and Percussion, accompanied by his Hobart Wind Symphony.
His music has been performed by such eminent performers as; Michael Kieran Harvey, Jabra Latham, Diego Campagna, Maurizio Barbetti, Duo Porto-Frontini, Luca Ferrini Joze Kotar, Benjamin Price and Dr Matthew van Emmerik. He has music for band published through Brolga Music Australia, selected chamber works through Musicisti Associati Produzioni of Milan, and he has over 40 of his works represented at the Australian Music Centre. He lives in Campania, just out of Hobart, with his wife Claire and sons Owen, Callum and Elliott.
Bands from across the country will come together to take part in the Australian National Band Championships. Details are currently still in development so see our Facebook page for further details closer to the event.
April 2023
Our Ensembles
