This is a concert that we look forward to every year. We invite senior school concert bands to share the stage providing a fresh event to lift their spirits and motivation. Our hope is that all these students will continue with their music once they graduate, indeed for the rest of their lives. With their years of lessons, rehearsals and performances, the transition can be quite smooth. By Invitation is a way to give them a glimpse into the workings of a top community wind symphony playing exciting repertoire beyond school level, and to play sitting and performing alongside fellow musicians.
Date: Saturday 21st March 7.00pm
Venue: Ian Woolf Auditorium, Carey Grammar, enter Gate 1, 349 Barkers Road, Kew
Tickets: Adults $10, Concession: health card holders, students $0.00 (free) but please book in TryBooking so we can track audience numbers (Trybooking does not charge for $0 tickets)
Bookings: via Trybooking click here
To download a poster click here
To download the printed program click here
BLACKBURN HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC conductor Jason Ziino
The Blackburn High School music program began in 1965, establishing one of the earliest instrumental music programs in Victorian government schools. Over the decades, it has grown into a comprehensive program featuring orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz groups, choirs and chamber music. The school’s ensembles, including the Symphonic Band have performed at major events including the Victorian School Music Festival, Royal South Street Eisteddfod, Generations in Jazz, and the Midwest Clinic, reflecting a longstanding reputation for excellence.
In 2025, the Senior Jazz Orchestra became the first school band from the Southern Hemisphere invited to the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival in New York, marking a historic milestone for the program. Today, Blackburn High School continues to offer a rich curriculum, including all three VCE Music subjects and extensive ensemble opportunities.
JASON ZIINO Director of Music Blackburn High School
Jason Ziino is the Director of Music at Blackburn High School and has conducted a wide range of orchestral, wind, and jazz ensembles across his 30-year career. He has led orchestras in performances at Hamer Hall, conducted the live soundtrack to Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, and led Blackburn High School’s to the Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz at Lincoln Centre in New York. He has also led numerous wind bands and jazz ensembles and has served as conductor of the Blackburn High School Symphonic Band for the past six years.
Yorkshire Ballad by James Barnes
About this work, Barnes said
“over the years, many conductors and teachers have called me to ask about the work, and whether the tune itself is in fact a folksong. Yorkshire Ballad is not a folksong, but it is written in that style. I composed this little piece so that younger player would have an opportunity to play a piece that is more or less in the style of Percy Aldridge Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry.”
He continued to say
“People always ask me what I was trying to portray when I wrote Yorkshire Ballad. All I can say is that I was thinking of the beautiful, green Yorkshire dales of Northern England; the rolling hills and endless stretch of beautiful pasturelands that my wife and I loved so much when, a year before, we had driven through this most marvellous spot in the world.“
High Country by Ralph Hultgren
The music is written to depict the highcountry in which the small rural town of Bombala is located. A majestic theme represents the spirit of the high country with pulsing rhythms accompanying it. A lyrical vocal middle section is more contemplative and suggestive of the early pioneers reflecting on the rugged beauty of the area. The main theme returns with its enthusiastic accompaniment and carries the piece to a boisterous conclusion. From the publisher Brolga Music
Streets of Forbes by David Jones
This composition is based on the Australian folk song “Streets of Forbes”. Forbes is a country town in New South Whales situated around the Lachlan River and was home to the Bushranger Ben Hall.
BALWYN HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND conducted by Mr David Howes
Balwyn High School Symphonic Band is the premier concert band within the Music Program – it leads a program of five concert bands, though is the smallest of the concert bands within the program. The ensemble consists of auditioned musicians from years 10-12, all of whom are dedicated to creating great music. The ensemble is showcased as part of the Balwyn High School Presentation Night on the stage at Hamer Hall each year, and many of the musicians performing this evening are also invited to form part of the Symphony Orchestra each year. While a high performing ensemble, many of the students commenced learning their instruments as year 7 students, with their commitment to learning and growth supporting them to develop as musicians. The ensemble is excited to be engaging in a range of new opportunities to develop as performers and an ensemble across 2026, and are grateful to have been invited by Grainger Wind Symphony to be part of this event this evening.
DAVID HOWES conductor Balwyn High School Symphonic Band
Originally a very young violinist, David accidentally found the horn at primary school and realised how much he enjoyed being at the back of the orchestra. Whilst studying music education at the University of Melbourne he was fortunate to perform with the Grainger Wind Symphony, The Australian Pops Orchestra, Geminiani Chamber Orchestra and The Itchy Feet Pep Band. Following this, he returned to the Uni Melbourne to complete a masters degree in music performance. Working with these varied groups has allowed him to work with different conductors and literally see them in action – especially during the lengthy bars rest that often go with horn playing. As a result, he has been able to find ways best engage ensembles he has directed and deliver exciting musical experiences in school and community bands.
David has held Director of Music positions at several schools around the east of Melbourne and is currently at Balwyn High School where he has been Coordinator of the Concert Band program, and more recently working with the Student Representative Council. Whilst he is conducting the Symphonic Band tonight, he also takes the Training Band made up of beginners and marvels at how quickly young people can assemble the skills needed on their instruments to be able to play at the level you will hear.
Prelude to a Celebration by Philip Sparke
Is a bright and uplifting work that immediately establishes a festive mood. Built on bold, fanfare-like gestures and supported by strong rhythmic momentum, the music develops with a sense of
excitement and anticipation, making it a fitting and energetic opening.
Jitterbug by Robert Buckley
Is a spirited and lively work inspired by the swing era and its popular dance styles. The piece is full of syncopated rhythms, playful accents, and energetic melodic lines, creating a joyful and infectious sense of motion. As the music unfolds, each section of the ensemble contributes to the
rhythmic drive and lively character, capturing both the excitement of the dance
floor and the fun, carefree spirit of the swing tradition.
Rail Riffs by Brian Balmages
is inspired by the movement and sounds of trains. With driving rhythms, layered textures, and
modern harmonies, the piece captures the energy and momentum of travel. Each section of the ensemble contributes to the sense of motion, creating a lively and dynamic musical journey that evokes the power, rhythm, and excitement of a train in motion.
THE GRAINGER WIND SYMPHONY conductor Roland Yeung
From Dawn to Dusk by Graham Lloyd
It is a programmatic work that traces the progression of a single day. Beginning
with a calm and reflective atmosphere, the music gradually builds in energy and
intensity, using contrasts in texture, dynamics, and tempo to reflect the changing
moods from morning through to evening.
Concerto for Two Trumpets by Antonin Vivaldi – soloists Robert Harry & Shane Walterfang
arranged by Jos van de Braak. This lively Baroque work features a brilliant interplay between two soloists and the ensemble, highlighting clarity, precision, and contrast. The dialogue
between the trumpets showcases both technical skill and expressive musical phrasing. There are three movements. The first is a quick and sparkling movement. The second is a Largo featuring the Oboe and without trumpets. It gives the trumpet soloist a short rest before launching into the last movement in a brilliant mode with quick energy and intricate passages for the soloists.
Robert Harry Shane Walterfang
ROBERT HARRY trumpet soloist
Robert Harry is a Melbourne born trumpeter who completed a Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Melbourne. He has spent his life as a trumpet player and an instrumental music teacher. He has played in virtually every orchestra in Melbourne particularly the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra, played in brass bands notably Footscray-Yarraville Band and Hawthorn Brass Band, and plays in The Grainger Wind Symphony. He is an instrumental music teacher for the Education Department of Victoria and has been at Williamstown High School for 35 years.
He was heavily indebted to George Dobson, his trumpet teacher when he was a student at Carey Baptist Grammar School. On his spare days he can be seen on a farm property in South Gippsland, watching steam trains passing by and collecting vintage stationary engines. He is the Trumpet section manager of The Grainger Wind Symphony and next month will attend the international Trumpet Guild Conference in the USA with Shane Walterfang.
SHANE WALTERFANG trumpet soloist
Shane Walterfang is a Melbourne born trumpeter, conductor and educator who has spent a lifetime sharing his passion for music both on stage and in the classroom.
As a performer, Shane has appeared with four of Australia’s professional orchestras and spent a decade performing with the Australian Pops Orchestra. Along the way he explored many styles of music with the Anne and John Hawker Big Band, everything from the art deco sounds of Paul Whiteman to the world of Frank Zappa.
Off the stage, Shane is a dedicated music educator who believes music should be a lifelong adventure. He has served as Head of Brass, Director of Music and VCE Coordinator, and is a past Chair of the Australian Society for Music Education (Victorian Chapter). When he’s not making music, Shane also brings a sense of calm to the chaos – he’s also a qualified meditation and mindfulness teacher.
Armenian Dances Part 1 by Alfred Reed
This dance by Alfred Reed, is one of the most significant works in the wind band repertoire. Based on authentic Armenian folk melodies, from the collected works of Gomidas Vartabed (1869-1935), the founder of Armenian classical music. He is credited with collecting well over four thousand Armenian folk songs. The suite presents a series of contrasting movements, each with its own distinct character. From lyrical and expressive passages to energetic, rhythmically driven sections, the work highlights both cultural richness and the full colour of the ensemble.
The Apricot Tree consists of three organically connected songs which were transcribed in 1904. Its declamatory beginning, rhythmic vitality and ornamentation make this a highly expressive song.
The Partridge’s Song is an original song by Gomidas; it was published in 1908 in Tiflis, Georgia. He originally arranged it for solo voice and children’s choir, and later for solo voice with piano accompaniment. It has a simple, delicate melody which might, perhaps, be thought of as depicting the tiny steps of the partridge.
Hoy, Nazan Eem was published in 1908, in a choral version arranged by Gomidas. This lively, lyric love song depicts a young man singing the praises of his beloved Nazan (a girl’s name). The song has dance rhythms and ornamentation which make it an impressive, catchy tune.
Alagyaz (name of a mountain in Armenia), was first written by Gomidas for solo voice with piano accompaniment, and also in a choral arrangement. It is a beloved Armenian folk song, and it long-breathed melody is as majestic as the mountain itself.
Go, Go is a humorous, light-textured tune. In performance, Gomidas coupled it with a contrasting slower song, The Jug. Its repeated note pattern musically depicts the expression of laughter. This song also is in recitative style.
- Program Note by Violet Vagramian, Florida International University
FINALE Combined Bands conductor Roland Yeung
The Empire Strikes Back (finale) by John Williams arr. Jack Bullock
The finale for combined bands is The Empire Strikes Back Finale by John Williams, arranged by Jack
Bullock. This iconic film music is known for its bold, memorable themes, rich orchestration, and powerful brass writing. With driving rhythms, dramatic contrasts, and sweeping melodies, the piece captures the excitement, tension, and adventure of the Star Wars universe. Tonight, the full ensemble comes together to create a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion to what has already been a spectacular evening of music.