Music Director
Stephen Deakes began playing music in brass
bands in Tasmania and Melbourne. When aged 16 he enlisted in the
Australian Army, where he studied clarinet at the Army School of Music
at Balcombe near Mount Martha. After completing two years studies, he
spent the next 22 years in various Australian Army bands including The
Royal Military College Band, Australian Army Bands Sydney and Kapooka.
While at Australian Army Band Kapooka, Stephen also became Music
Director of the Riverina Concert Band, a position he held for 4 years.
In 2000, Stephen moved into his final position in the Army as the
Supervisor of Training at the Defence Force School of Music at Watsonia.
After 24 years, Stephen retired from the Army. He and his family purchased a business in Gippsland in country Victoria. He remained active in the local music scene, often playing with local jazz bands and also becoming Music Director of the Maffra Band.
In 2006 Stephen and his family returned to Melbourne, and not long after, was approached by the Army to become Bandmaster of the 2nd/10th Field Regiment Band based at St Kilda, a position he still holds.
Stephen lives and works locally and joined Eltham Concert Band in 2009, intending to just enjoy playing his instrument. But when the position of Music Director became vacant in March 2010, Stephen agreed to take the position, initially as a temporary step to see us through our first concert, and then in a full time capacity.
After 24 years, Stephen retired from the Army. He and his family purchased a business in Gippsland in country Victoria. He remained active in the local music scene, often playing with local jazz bands and also becoming Music Director of the Maffra Band.
In 2006 Stephen and his family returned to Melbourne, and not long after, was approached by the Army to become Bandmaster of the 2nd/10th Field Regiment Band based at St Kilda, a position he still holds.
Stephen lives and works locally and joined Eltham Concert Band in 2009, intending to just enjoy playing his instrument. But when the position of Music Director became vacant in March 2010, Stephen agreed to take the position, initially as a temporary step to see us through our first concert, and then in a full time capacity.
Assistant Music Director
David Singh first
premiered as a conductor at the Kingston Massed Bands Festival in
August 2009,
conducting the John Mallinson Youth Band, for the Youth Bands Program
Inc.
David is the current Associate Music
Director, for the Eltham Concert Band, and Music
Director for the Croydon Wind Symphony.
David is currently a third year University student, studying his Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne. He was deeply involved in setting up YBP back at the end 2008, and is currently a conductor, tutor, and the treasurer for YBP.
At the beginning of 2008 David completed a week long intensive conducting course under Dr. Paula Crider’s supervision (retired Dean of Music at Texas University), through the Australian Bands and Directors Association. In 2010 David attended this program again, this time to learn from Barry E. Kopetz, professor of Conducting at Capital University in Columbus, and at the beginning of 2011 David attended the ABODA camp again, to learn under Craig Kirchhoff, professor of conducting and director of university bands, at the University of Minnesota.
In September of 2008 David recorded with 3MBS radio station, as a part of the 20:20 program.
David was appointed the 1st seat Trombone position with the Melbourne City Opera Company in April of 2009. Later in December, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic hired David to play 1st seat Trombone, at the 2009 Parliament of Religions, at the Exhibition Centre. David was also hired by Peter Bandy, at that time to play 2nd seat Trombone in the private orchestra Peter has formed to accompany the Australian Academy of Dance. That year the Ballet performed The Nutcracker, and in 2010 David was involved in it again, playing Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
David is currently a third year University student, studying his Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne. He was deeply involved in setting up YBP back at the end 2008, and is currently a conductor, tutor, and the treasurer for YBP.
At the beginning of 2008 David completed a week long intensive conducting course under Dr. Paula Crider’s supervision (retired Dean of Music at Texas University), through the Australian Bands and Directors Association. In 2010 David attended this program again, this time to learn from Barry E. Kopetz, professor of Conducting at Capital University in Columbus, and at the beginning of 2011 David attended the ABODA camp again, to learn under Craig Kirchhoff, professor of conducting and director of university bands, at the University of Minnesota.
In September of 2008 David recorded with 3MBS radio station, as a part of the 20:20 program.
David was appointed the 1st seat Trombone position with the Melbourne City Opera Company in April of 2009. Later in December, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic hired David to play 1st seat Trombone, at the 2009 Parliament of Religions, at the Exhibition Centre. David was also hired by Peter Bandy, at that time to play 2nd seat Trombone in the private orchestra Peter has formed to accompany the Australian Academy of Dance. That year the Ballet performed The Nutcracker, and in 2010 David was involved in it again, playing Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.