Music Director
At the moment the band is in the fortunate position of having a Music Director and an Associate Music Director. Eric Klay is our Music Director, but, as Principal Bass Trombone with the MSO, Eric cannot guarantee to be able to make every Monday's rehearsal., and others, including Mike Fitzpatrick, have agreed to fill in when needed.Music Director: Eric Klay
Eric Klay has been the Principal Bass Trombonist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra since 1977. During this time he was a member of the Melbourne Brass Ensemble(1979-91), which produced 4 recordings (2 cd's completely original commissioned Australian works) broadcast many live recordings for the ABC and toured the Eastern seaboard for Musica Viva.1993 saw the publication of Daily Exercises for B/b F Trombone, now a standard text for serious students in Australia as well as NorthWestern University in Chicago.
In 1995 Eric was invited to give Master Classes at the International Trombone Symposium held at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
In 1996 Eric toured as Soloist with the Queensland Symphonic Winds to Singapore and Hong Kong and released his solo CD "WindSong " to worldwide critical acclaim.
The Elton John Award was bestowed in 2002 enabling a period of study with Charles Vernon, Joe Alessi and Michael Mulcahy.
The Australian Music Examination Board invited Eric to be the Consultative Editor on 4 recently released books; Orchestral Brass Series Trombone Grades 1-2 and 3-4 and Euphonium Grades1-2 and 3-4. His most recent publication is the Technical Workbook for Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium and Bass Trombone Grades 1-8.
Eric performs in all styles of music having backed Sammy Davis Jnr, Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Hope, Nelson Riddle, Elton John, John Farnham and Debra Byrne on their Australian tours.
Eric appears with the Eltham Concert Band by the kind permission of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Associate: Mike FitzPatrick
Mike is currently an instructor at the Defence Force School of Music, specialising in advanced harmony and arranging. For the last few years he has been concentrating on composing for both concert and brass bands; a number of his works have been performed by bands in Melbourne, England and Japan.In 2002 he was elected Writer Full Member of the Australian Performing Rights Association.
Mike has a great love of music and a desire to help others realise their full potential as musicians; he encourages them to step out of their comfort zone and to push back their boundaries.
