SHEP Middle School 10-12 July 2025

Inspiring Experience

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to be a guest conductor for the State Honours Ensemble Programme (SHEP) Middle School, hosted by Griffith University at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Over three exciting days, I worked with the Gold Ensemble, a group of over 100 enthusiastic and talented young musicians.

Our time together was short but intense. The students rose to every challenge with dedication and energy as we prepared a varied program, which included two of my own compositions: Uluru and my newest work, A Century and Beyond. We also performed a number of other pieces, including the beautifully expressive Rippling Watercolors by Brian Balmages—a highlight for me, as the ensemble showed remarkable control, balance, and musicality in bringing it to life. Another favourite was Carol Britton- Chamber’s Byzantine Dances.

The culmination of our time together was a concert on the final day. It was amazing to see how much the students developed over just three days. Their performance was confident, polished, and full of expression—it truly made for a memorable concert and a proud moment for everyone involved.

A Century and Beyond holds a special place in this program. It was commissioned by Kenmore State School to celebrate their 125th Anniversary this year, and I’m thrilled to announce that the piece will be available for purchase on my website very soon.

I’m always inspired by the enthusiasm and potential of young musicians, and my time with SHEP was no exception. A huge thank you to the organisers, staff, and of course, the students, for making this such a rewarding experience!