Brisbane Symphonic Band

The symphonic band is our primary ensemble and comprises of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Currently under the musical direction of Daniel Trigger, the band plays a wide variety of music including orchestral transcriptions, movie and musical themes, contemporary wind band pieces and other popular repertoire.

The band frequently performs in own series concerts and, as one of Brisbane’s leading community bands, is proud to provide the Brisbane community with opportunities to appreciate and experience live music through the Brisbane City Council’s Bands in Parks program.

“Working together to perform quality music for the benefit and enjoyment of our members and the community” encapsulates the band’s reason for being.

BSB Swing

BSB Swing is the Brisbane Symphonic Band’s 17 piece big band. Founded in 1994, this exciting ensemble is currently led by Hannah Rowlands and allows members of the symphonic band to share their passion and enjoyment for performing traditional and contemporary big band music in styles such as jazz, blues, funk, rock, neo-swing and Latin.

BSB Swing regularly performs in own series concerts, at private functions – such as weddings and parties – and, along with the symphonic band, is a regular participant in the Brisbane City Council’s Bands in Parks program.

BSB Swing often uses its music to support important charities and has provided entertainment in recent years for events supporting MS Australia – Qld, the Cancer Council and ‘SIDS and Kids’.

Find out more about joining or hiring these exciting ensembles.

Meet Our Team

Daniel Trigger

Musical Director

Hannah Rowlands

Swing Band Leader

Read Daniel's Biography

Daniel is a Brisbane-based conductor, musician and lawyer. He has achieved his AmusA on Clarinet and has a Bachelor of Arts/Laws degree from The University of Queensland with First Class Honours.

Daniel has been involved with a wide variety of ensembles across the greater Brisbane area, including as co-musical director of the Queensland Lawyers’ Orchestra. He has also previously held the position of conductor of the Moreton Youth Music Ensembles Concert Band and often leads sectional rehearsals for clarinet and saxophone at Brisbane State High School’s junior music camps.

Having played with the Brisbane Symphonic Band throughout 2017-18, Daniel is excited to lead the band from 2023 through a variety of diverse and exciting repertoire.

Read Hannah's Biography

Hannah graduated from the University of Tasmania conservatorium with a combined Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Teaching in 2010 where she majored in classical saxophone. More recently she has graduated with a Bachelor of Architectural Design from UQ and works in this field in Brisbane.

Hannah has been involved as a player and conductor in numerous musical ensembles over the years, from small jazz/funk cover bands and big bands, right through to musical theatre orchestras and classical style duet and quartet playing.

Having been involved with the Brisbane Symphonic Band and BSB Swing as a player since 2017, she is excited to work with BSB Swing as Swing Leader and enjoy more great music making with the band into the future.


Previous Musical Directors

  • Bernie Hoesman (May 1976 – March 1996)

  • Brad Ruben (April 1996 – December 1997)

  • Nick Roper (February 1998 – August 1998)

  • David Jones (September 1998 – December 1998)

  • Lewes Peddell (February 1999 – July 1999)

  • Neill Thacker (August 1999 – December 1999)

  • Brydie Bartleet (February 2000 – December 2003)

  • Bernie Hoesman (January 2004 – May 2004)

  • Shaun Dorney (May 2004 – July 2004)

  • Simon Paxton (July 2004 – March 2005)

  • Susan Clarke (March 2005 – December 2005)

  • Stefanie Smith (January 2006 - December 2019)

  • Eleanor Dalzell (January 2020 - December 2022)

Previous Swing Band Leaders

  • Bob Rose (January 1994 – December 1997)

  • Allan Corcoran (February 2000 – July 2002)

  • Andrew Murrell (February 2003 – June 2003)

  • Simon Paxton (June 2003 – December 2005)

  • Alex Steed (January 2006 – December 2006)

  • Mark Pradella (January 2007 – December 2007)

  • Paulo Felix-Almeida (January 2008 – April 2009)

  • Terry Million (April 2009 – January 2011)

  • Sean McKenzie (April 2011 – December 2012)

  • Euan Cumming (March 2013 – July 2014)

  • Stefanie Smith (July 2014 – August 2015)

  • Kevin Edwards (September 2015 - December 2019)

  • Hannah Rowlands - acting (January 2020 - April 2021)

  • Cathie Neil (April 2021 - April 2022)

Hannah Rowlands

President

Maggie Drewett

Vice President

Raquel Ibarra

Treasurer

Emma Cooke

Secretary

Join the team

New members are always welcome at the Brisbane Symphonic Band.

Whether you have taken up an instrument as an adult and want to further develop your skills, you are about to leave school and want to continue playing, or you have a dusty case sitting under the bed and are looking for a chance to clean it off, we’d love for you to become part of the BSB family.