Brisbane Brass
Open A Grade | Musical Director, Mr Alan Spence.
Brisbane Brass aims to be at the cutting edge of the Brass Band movement in Australia. The band has a proud tradition of competing strongly at Regional, State and National events. Other performance commitments throughout the year see the band celebrate and advocate for new music from Australian composers, as well as tackling some of the most innovative repteroire for the idiom.
Alan Spence is a distinguished third-generation brass band musician who began his career with the Levin Municipal Band under Tom Taylor. As a Cornet player, he has been part of three National Bands of New Zealand, won the New Zealand Amateur Cornet title, and achieved a top-five finish in the British Open Brass solo championships. Spence has conducted various bands, leading Whakatane Citizens Band and EBOP Brass to significant successes, including promotions to higher grades. He is proud that all four of his sons, along with his wife Tania, have achieved notable success in brass music. Alan was the Musical Director of the National Youth Band of New Zealand and a music teacher at Trident High School in Whakatane, where he was awarded a QSM in 2014 for his contributions to brass bands and community music. Currently, he is a music teacher at Mansfield State High School and the Musical Director of Brisbane Brass.
Rehearsals | Monday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm | The Gap State High School
For more information, please fill out an EOI or contact our band manager, Mr Jamie Kennedy on 0419 029 761.
Brisbane Brass 2
Open B Grade | Musical Director, Ms Elena Katahanas.
Brisbane Brass 2 is one of QLD & Australia’s leading Open B Grade Brass Bands having won numerous accolades. This ensemble constantly strives for excellence in all that they do and across the year, are involved in a variety of performance engagements at a Regional, State and National level. BB2 is regarded for its welcoming atmosphere, performing challenging repertoire and playing a wide variety of styles and genres.
Elena Katahanas, a dynamic musician, graduated with a Bachelor of Music in French Horn from the Queensland Conservatorium under Peter Luff's tutelage in 2014. As part of the Conservatorium Horn Ensemble, she won numerous awards at the 45th International Horn Symposium in Memphis, Tennessee, including first place in both the quartet and large ensemble categories. Her time with the Australian Youth Orchestra and Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestras included national and international tours. Notably, she was the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s first conducting intern under Maestro Johannes Fritzsch and Peter Luff. As Musical Director of Brisbane Brass 2, Elena has achieved State and National success with her performances described as “moments of magic on stage.” Elena currently teaches at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and is undertaking her Master of Music majoring in Conducting through the Elder Conservatorium under the tutelage of Dr Luke Dollman in conjunction with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Rehearsals | Thursday evenings from 7:00pm-9:00pm | The Gap State High School
For more information, please fill out an EOI or contact our band manager, Mr Michael Buchanan on 0403 853 859.
Brisbane Brass 3
Open C Grade | Musical Directors, Miss Emily Matthews & Miss Meg McWilliams.
Brisbane Brass 3 comprises of a vast and enthusiastic membership base. Currently the QLD State Open D Grade Champions, this ensemble performs in a variety of settings across QLD. The majority of BB3 are school-aged students looking to further develop their ensemble skills whilst also improving as individuals. BB3 has the opportunity to perform at a Regional and State level annually as well as engaging with the wider community through their music.
Emily Matthews is the Co-conductor of Brisbane Brass 3, bringing enthusiasm and passion for music education to the role. With an with a 1st Class undergraduate degree in Music Performance (Honours) specialising in Euphonium, and a Master's in Teaching, Emily is a dedicated educator with a deep commitment to nurturing a love for music in schools. She has been apart of the Brisbane brass community for 14 years, experiencing the benefits and importance of community banding first hand. She is excited to be apart of contributing and sustaining the vibrant music-making community at Brisbane Brass.
Meg McWilliams is a co-conductor of Brisbane Brass 3. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance with Distinction from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Griffith University, as well as an Associate Diploma of Music in Cello from the Australian Music Examinations Board. Meg is a percussionist and member of the Brisbane Brass community since 2016. She is currently the string coordinator at Loreto College Coorparoo and a Low Strings Teacher at All Hallows’ School. Meg enjoys using her music education background to contribute to the brass band community that developed her own musicianship as a student.
Rehearsals | Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm | The Gap State High School
For more information, please fill out an EOI or contact our band manager, Mrs Heidi Ward on 0407 158 391.
