Bigger doesn’t always mean better: How to make your small band sound great!

Amanda completed a Bachelor of Music and Education at Monash University in 2006. After five years of teaching in Nhill Amanda moved to the Yarra Valley to enable her to explore additional conducting opportunities. In 2012 she gained the position of Monash Symphonic Winds Conductor, and she has now held that position for 11 years. Conducting, has been one of Amanda’s passions since her first experience of conducting at university, since then she has held a range of positions conducting orchestras, wind ensembles and directing jazz ensembles. In addition to this Amanda has mentored a number of conductors looking to further develop their skills. In 2019 Amanda completed an Honours degree in Classical Music (Conducting) at the University of Adelaide where she conducted various ensembles including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Recently she took part in the Louise Crossley Conducting Workshop with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Amanda is very passionate about creating memorable musical performances with other musicians and music education. Currently, in addition to being a conductor, she is the Music Coordinator at Healesville High School, director and technician of Morrison Music Repairs and the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association (ABODA) Victorian President. 

Healesville High School is a small school in the heart of the Yarra Valley with a total of 320 students from Year 7 – 12. Despite its small size the school has a vibrant and dedicated music department coordinated by Ms Amanda Morrison. The department has 3 concert bands, a jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble and VCE ensemble. The ensemble performing at ANBOC is the Senior Concert Band, conducted by Ms Amanda Morrison, and involves 20 students from Year 10 – Year 12. The group rehearses once a week for 90 minutes and performs at numerous school events as well as at local community events such as the Healesville ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Remembrance Day Service and Christmas Carols. Healesville High School has a thriving music program that not only focuses on musical development, but also encourages self- growth and community engagement through performance.