*
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    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd