Benjamin's Big Band
Benjamin's Big Band is the flagship group within the Garigal
Performing Arts Society. Audiences are always treated to a highly
musical and entertaining performance by this versatile and often
humorous group. A slightly larger than usual big band
, it consists
of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section
(guitar, piano, bass, drums), and a number of vocalists.
There is also a range of excellent soloists and improvisers within each
section ensuring variety throughout their shows. Age varies from 13
to adult and the repertoire requires strong, experienced players
who have a good understanding of their instrument and who are
proficient at reading difficult level charts. This band guarantees
that your feet won't stop, even if you're sitting down.
Musical Director
Gerald Steinmann is well known on the North Shore
as an outstanding band leader, musical director and educator with
over 20 years experience at hundreds of schools across Australia
and internationally. His inspirational technique of rehearsing
groups to have them perform at the highest level has proven
extremely successful in a number of different fields.
From concert bands to big bands, rock groups, small jazz ensembles, marching bands and vocal groups Gerald brings an infectious enthusiasm to his teams of musicians, which translates into the motivation for polished performances. He also performs regularly with his own group Big Toy!
Deputy Music Directors
Angus Bullough has been working as a professional multi-instrumentalist
musician, educator, sound engineer and arranger for the better part of a decade all
over the world, and has been with Benjamin's Big Band since it’s inception as an
audience member until he joined himself as a musician in 1996, and as a director
from 2002. Working predominately in the Jazz genre, specialising in funk, he can
also be seen around town playing with rock, covers bands, world music and
teaching bands & students in several schools across the northshore or working at
Continuumusic Studios. He has worked with
well known musicians such as John Morrison, Craig Calhoun, Steve Edmonds,
Rex Goh and John Williamson, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience
to share with Benjamin’s Big Band.
Brendan Collins is the composer-in-residence at Barker College and has previously
been the composer-in-residence with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Associate
Principal Trombonist with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. His
compositions are performed regularly throughout Australia as well as internationally
and all are published through Reed Music and Middle C Publications in Victoria. In
June this year his Concertino for Euphonium and Strings will be premiered by Scott
Kinmont of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra with the Lurline Chamber Orchestra. He
is planning the travel to Chicago in October for a performance of his work
Kosciuszko
by the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra. Brendan is currently working
on a number of commissions, the most notable being a work for 2 tubas and 6
trombones for Sergio Carolino (Portugal) and Steve Rosse (Sydney Symphony
Orchestra). This piece is programmed to be performed and recorded in several
countries throughout the year. Brendan’s son Tom is also a featured member of
BBB, playing trumpet.
Avalon Langdon
Avalon Langdon has only been singing for about 18 months and yet already she is
emerging as a new strong young talent. Currently a year 10 student at Killara High School she is
a recent addition to Benjamin’s Big Band, and has already made an impression on a number of large
audiences around Sydney, including the Manly Jazz Festival and the Sydney School Spectacular at
the Sydney Entertainment Centre this year.
Emma Harsanyi
Emma Harsanyi has been with Benjamin's Big Band for 4 years and is one of their
regularly featured vocalists. She began playing the clarinet in year 3, and began on the baritone
saxophone in year 8 at Killara High School. Emma has also performed in Joseph and the Technicolour
Dreamcoat with the north shore based company Penny Presents and A Christmas Spectacular with
Willoughby Theatre Company. She is currently studying Event Management at the International College
of Management in Manly.
Sharmini Thomas
Sharmini Thomas joined BBB in 2009 after being
discovered at the Sydney Opera House. Since then she has
entertained thousands of people around Sydney and Australia as one
of BBB's featured vocalists.
BBB Rehearsals
Rehearsals are at the YoYo's Youth Centre, located next to Forestway
Shopping Centre, Frenchs Forest. BBB rehearses every Wednesday
during school terms from 6:30-8:15pm.
The first rehearsal for 2012 will be on Wednesday 8th February 2012.
Rehearsal location map