About the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble

The Ensemble serves the local Northern Beaches community through regular concerts. It provides opportunities for experienced brass, percussion and woodwind musicians to play high grade symphonic repertoire. The Ensemble allows people to continue playing their instruments after leaving school, therefore giving the experience of music for life.

The membership includes both professional and amateur musicians and is particularly aimed at local instrumental teachers and their advanced students.

Featured performance video

Major performance

The next major concert of the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be held on Sunday April 7th at 2:30pm at Chatswood High School, 24 Centennial Ave, Chatswood.

The Ensemble will be playing works by some of America's finest 20th-century classical composers:

  • A Festival Prelude - Alfred Reed (1921-2005)
  • Drayton Hall Espirit - William Francis McBeth (1933-2012)
  • Fiesta del Pacifico - Roger Nixon (1921-2009)

Also performing at the concert will be the Cameraygal Wind Symphony, Chatswood High School Wind Orchestra and the Northern Youth Symphonic Wind.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. Prices are $10 Adult, $6 Concession.

Dr Martin HardyThe Ensemble is conducted by Dr Martin Hardy. Martin is a passionate music educator and professional musician. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Music Education from the Sydney College of Advanced Education, a Master of Music from the University of New South Wales, an Associate of Music Australia (Trombone), and a PhD in instrumental education with The University of Western Sydney.

As a trombonist, Martin has worked professionally in a variety of musical genres from small jazz ensembles to symphony orchestras.

Martin's career as a conductor has seen him work with many of the country's finest ensembles, including the New South Wales State School's Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the University of New South Wales Wind Ensemble, the Sydney Metropolitan North Schools Symphony Orchestra and Bands, as well as the newly formed Northern Beaches Youth Orchestra. Martin is a sought after adjudicator and guest conductor.

For a number of years, Martin worked in the Arts Unit of the New South Wales Department of Education and Training. In 2007, he returned his focus to local education, and is Head of the Creative and Performing Arts department of Pittwater High School. He regularly adjudicates instrumental festivals, guest conducts ensembles and provides instrumental workshops for both students and teachers. Recently, in 2011, Dr Hardy wrote a book 'Teaching Music From the Podium' which he has based and given professional development workshops for directors and teachers on. He has also written a composition for Orchestra and Symphonic band called 'Bomani'.

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Simply send an email with your contact details to info@nbswe.org.au.

For more information, contact:
Robert Johanson (Secretary, Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Inc.)