Brisbane Symphonic Band

The symphonic band is our primary ensemble and comprises of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Founded in 1974, the band is 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

Robert Burrell

Musical Director

Hannah Rowlands

Swing Band Leader

Read Robert's Biography

Dr Robert Burrell Ph.D, B.Mus, Grad Dip Ed, is a composer, music educator, conductor and musician. Prior to his retirement, he was a Senior Lecturer in Composition at UPSI. This was preceded by twenty years as a classroom and instrumental Music Specialist. In recent years he has been leading the Second Winds Concert and Stage Bands.

Robert has been making music and leading ensembles and choirs for over forty years with experience in liturgical, community, and music education; choral and instrumental music, orchestral, brass and concert bands. His compositions are published and performed nationally and internationally.

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

Previous Swing Band Leaders

Kevin Scott

President

Hayley Forster

Vice President

Raquel Ibarra

Treasurer

Michael Cottam

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.