All tutors are dedicated to the students and work very long hours. Contact in the first instance should be via the Band Corordinator Deb Arnison Ph: 0419 284 963 or email:  who can answer most  questions.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY MUSIC TUTORS

Rowen McBride – studied trombone and conducting at the University of Newcastle. He studied trombone with both Michael Bell and Ron Prussing and conducting studies with Ian Cook. In 1999 Rowen won the Open National Trombone Solo. He has performed with many orchestras in Newcastle and Sydney, including the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the SBS Youth Orchestra and is currently Principal Trombone of the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra. Rowen has been conducting school bands and running instrumental programs, including Jazz in schools since 2000. He has been head of brass for the Upper Hunter Conservatorium in 2002 , Schools Co-Ordinator for the Central Coast Conservatorium in 2007 and a trombone tutor for State Music Camp in 2002. In 2009 he was a conductor for the Festival Stage Band in the Rhapsody in Rotorua music Festival. He is currently a Director of School and Community Music and runs school music programs throughout the coast. Rowen directs and plays in The Jam Factory Jazz Band, conducts local community band Wallarah Winds and Percussion. Rowen also tutors for Narara Valley High School’s Creative and Performing Arts Class.

Jessica Foy - Studied flute and studio teaching at the University of Newcastle under James Kortum and Ian Cook. Jessica has performed in the Newcastle Wind Orchestra and has been teaching flute and woodwind programs in schools since 1999, one to one tutoring since 1995 and running woodwind ensembles since 2006. She is currently a Director of School and Community Music and runs school music programs throughout the coast. Jessica plays in the community band Wallarah Winds and Percussion and plays Alto Sax in The Jam Factory Jazz Band, and tutors at Narara Valley High School.

Greg Smith – is a Newcastle based pianist, composer and teacher. In 2003 he completed his Master of Creative Arts in Russian Piano music. He has performed in Malaysia, Japan and the UK. He accompanied the Honours Choir in Rhapsody in Rotorua whilst taking advanced jazz piano master classes in 2009. Greg is organist and choirmaster at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. As a teacher, Greg has lectured at the University of Newcastle and Avondale College. He currently tutors privately for School and Community Music in piano, organ and music theory. He also accompanies many vocal and instrumental students in performances and HSC studies. Greg’s website is www.emotemuse.com.

Matthew Kelly – Is a final year composition student at the University of Newcastle studying under Colin Spears. He plays trumpet with the University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra and the Jam Factory jazz band.

Sean Cadogan-Steele - Completed a Bachelor of Music Degree in performance major (percussion) from Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and a Graduate Diploma of Education. He has extensive program experience with the Newcastle Wind Orchestra and Central Coast Symphony Orchestra. He has attended workshops with John Morrison, Evelyn Glennie and Synergy Percussion. Sean has extensive performance and teaching experience with Japanese drumming.
He currently tutors for School and Community Music, runs several taiko drumming and percussion groups and is a tutor at Narara Valley High School Creative and Performing Arts Class.

Luke Gallen – In 1997 Luke played at the Monterey Jazz Festival with the Department of Education’s All Star Big Band. He then completed a Bachelor of Music specializing in Jazz performance and composition from the Australian National University in 2002. For the last 15 years he has toured and lived all over the world performing with Ray Barbee, Bobby Shoe, Diesel, Ed Wilson, Deni Hines amongst many others. In 2008 Luke received a Graduate Diploma of Education at Avondale College. He is playing the coast now with his band The Luke Gallen Jazz Quartet.

Paul Latham – Paul Latham has been teaching guitar and performing for 20 years. After studying at Sydney conservatorium Paul has carved out a successful career as a teacher and performer specialising in Jazz, popular styles and musical literacy. Paul has performed as a featured artist at many Jazz venues as well as leading his own trio at the renowned "Soup Plus" in Sydney.

Geoff Wilson - studied trombone with Reg Bishop and Victor Grieve at Newcastle Conservatorium and with Maurice Newton (ex RAN and Elizabethan Trust Orchestra) independantly. Studied conducting with Frank Rugers, Jerry Nowak and David Barg.

Geoff has played in Brass and Concert Bands, Newcastle Conservatorium Youth Orchestra, Central Coast Symphony Orchestra. He has also played in Brass Ensembles, Woodwind Ensembles, Jazz Bands, Musical Theatre and Percussion Ensembles, Commercial Television and Solo Performance and is currently Principal Trombone of the Central Coast Concert Band.

Geoff has extensive teaching experience including 5 years on Country Area Program for the Education Department, 10 years as Artistic Director and Head of Brass, Woodwind and Percussion at Young Regional Conservatorium, 2 years on Central Coast Band Program. Currently he teaches school band programs in 8 schools on the Central Coast and in Sydney and has a large studio of private students in Sydney and a Guitar studio on the Central Coast.

 

The Narara Valley High School Band is run by the school however a Parent Committee assists with running the Band to relieve School staff from this time consuming exercise. Without help from parents it would not be possible to run the band.

The structure of the parent committee is presently being reorganized at present with the school providing an administration assistant four mornings per week and a Band Co-Ordinator.  Parent positions will become available in February 2010. 

Positions available will be:

• Fundraising

•  Publicity Officer

• Treasurer

• Minutes Secretary