Our Conductors this year
Bishop Orchestra
Keith Crellin OAM
Keith Crellin is head of the String Department and conductor in residence at the Elder School of Music at the University of Adelaide. He is also the Artistic Director and conductor of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra Keith’s distinguished career began in 1972 when he became the first violist to win the ABC Young Performers Award. Keith Crellin is recognized as a dedicated and inspiring teacher who has established himself as one of Australia's leading soloists and chamber music players. He studied violin initially with Gretchen Schieblich and then Ladislav Jasek at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Keith then completed his tertiary studies on viola at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music under noted pedagogue Professor Jan Sedivka. He was appointed lecturer in viola and chamber music at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, director and principal conductor of the Conservatorium Orchestra and artistic director and chief conductor of the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. He was a founding member of the Rialannah String quartet, performed with the Petra String Quartet and was a regular member of the Australian Contemporary Music Ensemble. In 1985, he became a founding member of the Australian String Quartet based in Adelaide, a position he held for sixteen years and with which he travelled widely throughout Australia, performed in many countries, and made numerous recordings. He has conducted concerts and recordings with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and has been guest conductor at National and State Music Camps throughout Australia.
Alexander Orchestra
David Summerton
David commenced his musical career as a member of the RAAF Central Band and during this time undertook a Bachelor of Education (Music) at the University of Melbourne, completing his degree in 1984. During the 1980’s David performed as a freelance musician (playing bassoon) and performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian State Opera, the Australian Pops Orchestra and other professional orchestras engaged for stage shows. David joined the Music Staff at Ruyton Girls’ School in 1985 and in 1991 was appointed Director of Music. Under his direction the Music Department flourished and Ruyton ensembles received commendable results at competitions and eisteddfods, such as the Waverley and Boroondara Eisteddfods, Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod and the prestigious South Street Competition. David studied conducting at Monash University with Robert Rosen and later with Tom Dvorak, Director of Bands at The University of Milwaukee & Wisconsin. David has conducted a range of school and community ensembles including school choirs, orchestras and bands, Melbourne Youth Music Summer School orchestras and has undertaken conducting workshops at a variety of Melbourne schools.
Scott String Orchestra
Paul Jones
Paul Jones studied the ‘cello at University of Melbourne with Marianne Hunt and John Kennedy. His professional playing has included orchestral, chamber and solo engagements. As a member of baroque ensembles, a medium in which he has specialised, he has made numerous recordings for the ABC and Radio 3MBS. For more than a quarter of a century Paul has taught the ‘cello and conducted orchestras in specialist music schools such as Balwyn High School, Blackburn High School and MacRobertson Girls’ High School. From 1993 -1997 he was Instrumental Music Coordinator for the schools in the Victorian Department of Education’s Eastern Region and from 1998 - 2008 was Director of Music at Balwyn High School, where he is currently Head of Strings. Paul has regularly been engaged as a guest conductor, presenter and adjudicator and is currently an Assistant Chief Assessor in Music Solo Performance for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
Paul has conducted award-winning orchestras at all schools in which he has taught, and performances of his orchestras have been broadcast on radio 3MBS
Thomson String Orchestra
Tania Casey
Tania Casey’s first musical experiences were at her father’s knee, listening to him as he played his violin in styles from Bach to Bohemian. She studied the violin and viola, and majored in the viola at the Victorian College of the Arts. She also studied voice and conducting and has established a career in string teaching and choral music, which she combines with her work as a freelance musician and conductor. Tania is passionate about the education of young students, and has taught in Junior String programs at St Margaret’s School, Xavier College, Brighton Grammar School and Wesley College. She currently co-ordinates the Junior String program at Haileybury College, and is the Music Director of the Berwick Youth Choir.
These fine conductors always choose music that inspires our young musicians.
