*
banner

No more Opera for Andy

Andrew Snell is leaving Opera Australia and will be taking up a new role at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music later this month.

Andrew Snell
 

After 2 1/2 years as Orchestra Manager of Australia's busiest orchestra Andrew Snell will be leaving Opera Australia to take up the position of Executive Director and CEO of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. He will commence the role in Mid-May.

Continue with Willoughby

In addition to his current role as the Orchestra Manager for the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, he is also Musical Director of the Willoughby Band and as such has built up extensive connections with professional musicians throughout Australasia. His relationship with Willoughby, which is now starting to bear fruit will continue.

Experience

Andrew has experience as a teacher of music at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. These roles included Head of Brass at Hymers College in the UK, Director of the Auckland Brass Academy, Music Director of the Waitakere City “Trusts” Brass (NZ) and Lecturer in Brass and Musicianship at Charles Darwin University.

Calm and unflappable

Andrew has a deep commitment to the enrichment of quality of life through performing, teaching and the management of all things musical. He brings a level of passion in music and musical education not seen at the Conservatorium for a number of years. He has a calm and unflappable approach to the regular challenges of a performance and educational environments, and an underlying commitment to music that has been the mainstay of his career.

Andrew is married to a fellow musician with a young family and he is looking forward to taking an active part in the community and cultural life of Wollongong and the Illawarra.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Tameside

Results: 2026 Tameside Whit Friday

June 2 • Foden's retain their Whit Friday title with a Presidential flourish in Tameside.


Scotland

Scottish banding battles for success

June 1 • A recent article in one of Scotland's leading newspapers has highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by its banding organisations.


Cross

Death of David Banwell

June 1 • The death has been announced of David Banwell, the widely respected former player, conductor and member of the 4BR team.


Whit Friday

Whitsuntide celebration on Radio 4

May 31 • The celebration of Whitsuntide in Saddleworth has been marked on Radio 4 — accompanied by brass band music


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 31 May • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Chinnor Silver

June 2 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONIST (kit/tuned) to join us in an exciting time for this 1st Section band.We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up for each rehearsal)Good sensible book of concerts and contests possible foreign trip 2027.


Crewe Brass

June 2 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

June 2 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd