Australian Concert Bands

PRESS RELEASE:

SWE is an auditioned ensemble made up of some of Sydney’s finest public schools instrumentalists. Previous achievements include winning the Open A grade division of the Australian National Band Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005 in addition to touring to the USA in 2003. They are one of the finest ensembles of its type in the country.

Recently they auditioned and were consequently invited to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in December of this year. This conference is the largest music conference in the world and attracts 12,000 delegates each year. It is an extraordinary achievement to be selected. SSWE is in fact only the third Australian group ever to be invited to perform in the conferences 60 year history. Each year hundred’s of groups from around the world audition, and SSWE is one of only two international groups selected to perform this year.

The ensemble auditioned for the Midwest Clinic earlier this year, which involved recording two pieces of music, filming a performance and meeting standards set by four referees of international standing.

SWE will perform at a farewell concert at the Salvation Army Congress Hall, Elizabeth St., Sydney on December 4, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets will be $15 adults and $10 students and concession. Conductors of the group are Stephen Williams and Paul Vickers.

An added highlight is the inclusion of soloist Steve Rosse, principal tuba player with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, who will perform with the ensemble on its American tour, and at the concert will perform the Australian premier of the Philip Sparkes Tuba Concerto . Mr Rosse, who has two sons in the ensemble – trumpeter Antoine and Raphael, the Australian under 18 euphonium champion and one of the youngest members of the group.

At the concert, SWE will showcase Australian composers Percy Grainger and Ralph Hultgren, in addition to premiering works of Peter Graham (Journey to the Centre of the Earth, an adaptation for Wind Band by the composer and the test piece for the A Grade 2006 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain), Nathan Daughtrey, George Farmer and Robert Sheldon.