Conductor: Maureen Cameron 
Soloist: Sheona White
St Peter’s Lutheran College
Indooroopilly, Brisbane
Saturday May 9th

Now in its fifth year, Women in Banding Australasia has grown from what organiser Marissa Clarke described as, “a daft idea in 2021” into one of Australia’s most inspiring collaborative brass events.

An ensemble that celebrates women, their achievements and future ambitions in banding, this memorable concert in Brisbane was also one of excellence, community, and mentorship.

The evening opened with the sparkling energy of Smetana’s overture to ‘The Bartered Bride’,  which set a quality standard that was maintained throughout under Maureen Cameron’s informed leadership of confidence, precision, and musical maturity.

Consumate

The undoubted highlight though was the appearance of Sheona White, whose long-awaited Australian visit has been equally memorable and significant. Across four featured solos – ‘Concert Etude’, ‘The Beauty Within’, ‘Lascia Ch’io Pianga’,  and ‘The Piper of Dundee’  she gave display of consummate musicianship – lyrical emotion balanced with virtuosic flair.

The undoubted highlight though was the appearance of Sheona White, whose long-awaited Australian visit has been equally memorable and significant.

The band also met the considerable challenges set for itself; from the warm grandeur of ‘Hymn for Africa’  to the fun of ‘Sing Sing Sing’  and cinematic power of ‘Cry of the Celts’.  Brass band aficionados were certainly left impressed by waspish clarity and drive of Derek Bourgeois’, ‘The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’.

Celebration

‘Celebration’  was the winning entry in the Women in Brass 2025 ‘New Work Contest’, adjudicated by Dorothy Gates, Sean O’Boyle OAM and Maureen Cameron. Adding to the significance was the attendance of the composer, Joan Thorp, who travelled to Brisbane to hear the work performed, whilst further future inspiration came with the participation of students from St Peter’s Lutheran College, who joined the ensemble for three items.

An evening described as being “filled with bonding and sisterhood,”  was responded to by Sheona who praised the “fabulous group of women who performed with such class and boundless energy.”

During the concert, Marissa Clarke delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on the journey of Women in Brass and the inspirational figures of Maureen Cameron and Sheona White. Sheona’s visit also saw her give 18 individual lessons, school workshops, and five masterclasses delivered in just six days.

Bonding

An evening described as being “filled with bonding and sisterhood,”  was responded to by Sheona who praised the “fabulous group of women who performed with such class and boundless energy.”

It is that collective inspiration that will surely fire the ambition of this extraordinary ensemble in the years to come.

Marissa Clarke