Music is my life and my passion. My hope is that the young people I teach will understand that they can enjoy making music for a lifetime.

Ossie brings more than five decades of brass banding, teaching, and conducting experience to the Excelsior Academy Band. He began his musical life at age seven in Salvation Army brass bands in New Zealand, took up conducting at nineteen, and has been involved in band, choir and music theatre work ever since.

Since moving to Australia in 1986, Ossie has played and conducted across the full range of brass banding – from A Grade contesting through to community ensembles – with regional and state contest wins and national runner-up placings along the way. Alongside his band work, he has spent many years teaching instrumental music in schools and directing concert bands, school productions and community theatre shows. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Music from UNE Armidale, a Diploma of Education from Monash, and Fellowship and Licentiate diplomas from AMEB and Trinity College London in trombone and euphonium. For something different, he also plays bass guitar in a rock band called the Recycled Delinquents.

The Excelsior Academy Band is the newest ensemble in the Brisbane Excelsior organisation, established as the welcoming home for new and developing brass players. Whether you’re picking up a brass instrument for the first time, returning to playing after a long break, or a younger player looking for a band to grow with, the Academy is for you.

The Academy focuses on the foundations of brass ensemble playing – sound, technique, ensemble awareness, and enjoyment of the music – in a supportive environment without the pressures of competition. Players who want to progress have a clear pathway into our three competition bands: Lutwyche Excelsior (D-grade), Windsor Excelsior (B-grade), and Excelsior (Premier-grade), making the Academy the gateway into one of Australia’s most successful brass band organisations.

If you’re interested in joining, get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.