Examiner 114

MCA, BMus (Merit), DSCM, LTCL, AMusA

Australian composer and performer Brendan Collins grew up in the city of Newcastle. While still a high school student, he performed the Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He later studied trombone and composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Ron Prussing, Arthur Hubbard and George Golla. He also won a scholarship to study in Los Angeles with Ralph Sauer, principal trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

After 11 years as the associate principal trombone with Opera Australia, Mr Collins was appointed to the position of composer-in-residence at Barker College in 2005. In this capacity he composed numerous works for a wide range of ensembles, which have become very popular among Australia’s finest student musicians. He has recently been commissioned to compose music for international artists, such as Steve Rosse (principal tuba with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra), Scott Kinmont (associate principal trombone, Sydney Symphony Orchestra), David Hickman (trumpet professor, Arizona State University) and Hidehiro Fujita (principal tuba, Singapore Symphony Orchestra). Other recent commissions include works for the International Trumpet Guild and the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2006 he served as the composer-in-residence with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and in 2010 his composition for concert band, William of Orange Marc won first prize in the NSW School Band Festival composition competition.

Positions held

• Chief Examiner – Brass, AMEB (NSW)