Symphonic Bands

Symphonic Bands

The 2025 Summer School’s Symphonic Bands stream provides exciting wind symphony experiences for all ages and musical abilities across four bands led by a team of dynamic conductors.

The beginner bands will provide young musicians with their first foray into ensemble music playing. In a supportive environment, you will work on rhythm, intonation and fundamental ensemble skills throughout the week while having fun and fostering a love of music.

Our intermediate bands help young musicians with some ensemble experience develop critical ensemble skills like teamwork, communication, and expression. In addition to improving your sight-reading and technique, you’ll make friends and encounter new approaches to music-making.

Our senior bands offer high-level musical experiences for more advanced musicians. You’ll join other musicians of a similar standard from across Victoria, develop your skills together, and delve into the great band repertoire.

Reach new heights and create magic in the Summer School symphonic bands.

APPLICANTS

STANDARD: Beginner to Advanced
INSTRUMENTS: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion

*NOTE: AMEB levels are not a formal requirement but are provided as a guide to the skills required. Other factors may also be taken into consideration in the allocation process.

To be considered for this stream for the 2025 MYO Summer School, please apply for the SYMPHONIC BANDS stream in your application.

Daniel McIlvride
Conductor
Daniel McIlvride is a trombonist and currently Second-in-Charge of the Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne. Prior to his naval career, Daniel studied a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) at the …
Daniel McIlvride is a trombonist and currently Second-in-Charge of the Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne. Prior to his naval career, Daniel studied a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) at the University of Southern Queensland. In 2009 Daniel was selected as Musical Director of the Royal Queensland Military Tattoo, which saw him directing over 500 musicians as a part of the spectacular display. In 2010 Daniel moved to Melbourne, and later that year performed as the trombonist for the new Australian musical “Strange Bedfellows.” This saw him performing alongside the likes of John Foreman, John Wood and Peter Cousens. Daniel recommenced university studies in 2011, successfully completing a Bachelor of Music Honours (Improvisation) at Monash University under Jordan Murray. Completion of this study sees Daniel as formally trained in both the Classical and Jazz idioms.
Prior to 2013 Daniel was an active freelance jazz trombonist in the wider Melbourne region, performing with artists such as Rhonda Birchmore, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra (as seen on Channel Ten), as well as arranging for the popular TV show Dancing With the Stars. Daniel also continues to maintain an active role with community groups in the Melbourne region including Oakleigh City Brass Band and Glenferrie Brass Band.
In 2013 Daniel began service in the Royal Australian Navy Band, a full-time position as a trombonist that saw him undertake deployments to Afghanistan in 2015 and HMAS Adelaide for Exercise RIMPAC in 2018. He was also a featured trombone soloist on two RAN Band albums “Compositions” and “Straight Ahead.”
After commissioning, he took up conducting studies in 2021 at the Defence Force School of Music, and upon completion was awarded the “KJ Klein Award” as best overall conductor of the tri-service course. Following this he posted as Second-in-Charge to RAN Band Melbourne, where he successfully deployed as Officer-in-Charge of the newly formed and largest RAN Fleet Band since 1993.
Daniel maintains a home with his fiancée Zoe Keeffe, and is looking forward to his next posting as Senior Instructor at the Defence Force School of Music where he will oversee training for all ADF musicians.

Lindsay Ryan
Conductor
Lindsay has a Bachelor of Music (French Horn) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) gained from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She also has an Associate of Music, Australia performance diploma (Horn) from …
Lindsay has a Bachelor of Music (French Horn) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) gained from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She also has an Associate of Music, Australia performance diploma (Horn) from the Australian Music Examinations Board.
Lindsay has a passion for conducting initially sparked at secondary school, including the completion of her Australian Choral Conductors Education and Training qualification in 2000 and studies at the University of Melbourne in 2001 with Professor John Hopkins and Benjamin Northey.
Whilst living abroad in the UK, Lindsay participated in workshops at the Royal Northern College of Music with Sir Mark Elder, Mark Heron and Timothy Reynish, the Royal College of Music with Toby Purser and Peter Stark as well as international masterclasses with Lior Shambadal and Romolo Gessi in Vicenza (Italy) and Weiz (Austria). She independently pursued quality tuition with Adrian Brown and Sian Edwards (Royal Academy of Music) to further her development.
In London, Lindsay capitalised on her extensive network by founding Harmony Sinfonia. This symphony orchestra created numerous opportunities for successful community outreach programs, whilst providing a platform for less-experienced conductors to gain podium time, and musicians to play repertoire from lesser-known composers, including celebrating women composers. The orchestra was lauded by the president of the Bruckner society, celebrated by locals and supported by charitable trusts including the Diana Ambache Foundation.
Her experience in London also included the position of Associate Conductor of Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of Dulwich Symphony Orchestra, Musical Director of the London Classical Consort, and performing with orchestras, bands and established chamber groups as well as freelancing as a guest conductor and horn player.
Lindsay’s expertise includes the establishment of ensembles in various schools, enabling young people to experience creative music-making in choirs, bands, orchestras and world music ensembles. She has provided performance opportunities to young people in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall for the Music for Youth Proms in 2021, the Churchill Theatre, Fairfield Halls and the O2 as part of the national initiative Young Voices. Community outreach is a particular passion, and Harmony Sinfonia orchestral workshops with local school children took place in 2015 and 2016 thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign.
In 2017, Lindsay founded and developed a successful concert band program at a primary school in Surrey, UK, due to lack of opportunity and provision in the current climate. This program enabled over 100 children, some of whom would never have had the opportunity, to receive quality music instruction on their instrument and take part in music-making as a successful group, performing not only in school but externally in the community at local events and the absolute highlight – the Royal Albert Hall.

Michael Lichnovsky
Conductor
Dr Michael Lichnovsky is an Australian musician, conductor and educator with a special interest in the role of musical expression in the daily life of artists and audiences. He is …
Dr Michael Lichnovsky is an Australian musician, conductor and educator with a special interest in the role of musical expression in the daily life of artists and audiences. He is fascinated by the presence of artistic intent in almost everything we see, from office design to architecture, from the presentation of food in five star restaurants to the packaging of ingredients on the supermarket shelf.
The implication for music education is that every tone, articulation, crescendo and staccato has musical intent and purpose. Dr Lichnovsky is keen to incorporate this musical intent into every performance with the simple question, “what would I like to express today?”
After obtaining a Master of Music Degree in Conducting at the Victorian College of the Arts, Dr Lichnovsky spent his time freelance conducting, where he worked with chamber groups, professional orchestras, community ensembles and school groups. In 2003 he embarked on a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Pedagogy in the United States. On his return to Australia, he taught saxophone, conducting, arranging and instrumental music teaching at Monash University, as well as conducting the Monash Wind Ensemble. Since 2010 he has been Head of Woodwind at Girton Grammar School, in addition to occasional performances with Orchestra Victoria and the Melbourne Symphony as a saxophonist.

Sally Davis
Conductor
Sally Davis is currently Head of Performing Arts at Carey Baptist Grammar, prior to which she returned from 11 years as Head of Performing Arts at Yew Chung International School …
Sally Davis is currently Head of Performing Arts at Carey Baptist Grammar, prior to which she returned from 11 years as Head of Performing Arts at Yew Chung International School of Shanghai. She is actively involved in teaching, examining and course development for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and teaches in the Master of International Education (IB) stream at the University of Melbourne. Sally is a passionate ensemble director, currently working with both wind bands and orchestra. She is especially invested in developing musicians through scaffolded ensemble learning, encouraging participation from beginner through to advanced levels of attainment.
Sally is a strong advocate for the importance of music education and ensemble participation in schools, delighting in watching the power of collaboration and community in helping students find their tribe in the school environment and gaining confidence through self-expression and performance.