Our People

Conductor of the Beginner Concert Band

David worked for more than 25 years as a professional trumpet player and music teacher. After playing in various rock bands in Adelaide during his early years he successfully won his first orchestral position in 1979, with the then named Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra (later amalgamated into the Qld Symphony Orchestra). He played with the orchestra for eight years before becoming a freelance musician.

Over the next 15 years David played all over Australia with various touring shows and orchestras. Shows included ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘HMS Pinafore’, ‘Disney on Ice’, ‘The Moscow Circus’, ‘Jerry’s Girls’, ‘West Side Story’ and 30 months with the original ‘Phantom of the Opera’ production in Melbourne. He also worked for 18 months at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in the showroom band. David has played with many Australian orchestras as a freelancer including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Along with professional playing, David was also been actively engaged in instrumental teaching and conducting, working for almost 20 years at Wesley College in Melbourne. In the 1980s he also taught at Brisbane Boys College, Brisbane Girls Grammar, The Southport School and St Ita’s. At tertiary level David has worked at the QLD Conservatorium, the Victorian College of the Arts and Melba Conservatorium. Currently David uses his education in psychology to work as a senior data analyst for a non-government-organisation supporting the health workforce in rural and remote QLD, and keeps active in music through involvement in community music making.

Conductor of the Wind Ensemble

Dr Nan Bahr has been appointed as Professor Emeritus at Southern Cross University, where she previously served as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students) and acted as Vice Chancellor when needed. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master's (Research) in Music Education from the University of Queensland, as well as undergraduate degrees and graduate diplomas in neurophysiology, behavioural and educational psychology, and higher education from Flinders University, Adelaide University, Brisbane CAE, and Griffith University. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Elder Conservatorium of Music in music performance at the University of Adelaide. Professor Bahr is an Associate of Music, Australia (AMEB) on bass tuba and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK).

Professor Bahr also has adjunct professor status at Griffith University, where she was previously appointed as Dean (Teaching and Learning) for Arts, Education, and Law, overseeing quality in teaching and learning for programs of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Queensland College of Art, Queensland Film and Media School, Griffith Law, Languages, Humanities, Criminology, and Education and Professional Studies. Furthermore, she holds adjunct professor status at QUT, where she last served as Associate Dean for Education, as well as at the University of Southern Queensland.

With over 200 publications, Professor Bahr has established a strong profile in the field of education at local, national, and international levels. At her core, she is a musician passionate about music education, tuba performance, and community ensembles. She began her career in music education as a Secondary School Music teacher at Sunnybank State High School, managing the music program, instrumental teaching, ensemble leadership, school musicals, music direction, choirs, and international tours. She has performed with numerous local and national ensembles and is often invited to contribute as the principal tuba in high-profile performances. Notably, she has participated in all four invitational and national Women in Brass performances on contrabass tuba.

In addition to her education career, Professor Bahr has served for just over 40 years as a commissioned officer in the Australian Defence Force (Royal Australian Corps of Military Police), currently holding the rank of Colonel and serving as Research Lead for the Defence response to the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide. Her other current and recent leadership roles include Chair for Special Olympics Brisbane, Director of Balance Martial Arts—providing Taekwondo development training for neurodivergent and intellectually impaired adolescents—and Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General. She is also the Secretary of the Brisbane Brass Music Association, Secretary for Women In Brass Inc., and President of the Greater Brisbane Wind Ensemble. She is proud to serve as the conductor of the Redland City Bands Wind Ensemble.

In recognition of her diverse contributions to higher education and the community, Professor Bahr was a nominee for Australian of the Year in 2022.

Conductor of the Concert Band

Louise grew up in the Redlands, beginning her musical journey on clarinet at the age of nine and soon joining the Redland City Bands organisation. She holds a Master of Music (Conducting) from the University of Queensland and has built a diverse career as a performer, conductor, and educator.

Throughout her long association with Redland City Bands, Louise’s passion for conducting has flourished. After serving as Assistant Conductor and later Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, she was appointed Musical Director and Concert Band Conductor of Redland City Bands in 2025. She has further refined her craft through workshops, masterclasses, and lessons with renowned conductors including Jerry Nowak, Tim Reynish, John Lynch, Ralph Hultgren, and Rob McWilliams.

Beyond her work with Redland City Bands, Louise teaches at a Brisbane high school, where she is a multi-instrumental teacher, classroom music teacher for both junior and senior students, and conductor of the school’s concert band. She has also been the musical director for several school musicals and is deeply committed to fostering a love of music in young musicians.

As a performer, Louise has appeared on stages across Brisbane, including the Powerhouse and Riverstage, and continues to perform with one of Australia’s premier concert bands, the Queensland Wind Orchestra.

In recognition of her dedication and contribution to the organisation, Louise was awarded Life Membership of Redland City Bands in 2021. She was also named one of South East Queensland’s 50 Most Inspirational Women by the Courier Mail in 2023.

Approachable and dedicated, Louise is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging, and musically rewarding experiences for players and audiences alike.

Conductor of the Beginner Concert Band

David worked for more than 25 years as a professional trumpet player and music teacher. After playing in various rock bands in Adelaide during his early years he successfully won his first orchestral position in 1979, with the then named Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra (later amalgamated into the Qld Symphony Orchestra). He played with the orchestra for eight years before becoming a freelance musician.

Over the next 15 years David played all over Australia with various touring shows and orchestras. Shows included ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘HMS Pinafore’, ‘Disney on Ice’, ‘The Moscow Circus’, ‘Jerry’s Girls’, ‘West Side Story’ and 30 months with the original ‘Phantom of the Opera’ production in Melbourne. He also worked for 18 months at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in the showroom band. David has played with many Australian orchestras as a freelancer including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Along with professional playing, David was also been actively engaged in instrumental teaching and conducting, working for almost 20 years at Wesley College in Melbourne. In the 1980s he also taught at Brisbane Boys College, Brisbane Girls Grammar, The Southport School and St Ita’s. At tertiary level David has worked at the QLD Conservatorium, the Victorian College of the Arts and Melba Conservatorium. Currently David uses his education in psychology to work as a senior data analyst for a non-government-organisation supporting the health workforce in rural and remote QLD, and keeps active in music through involvement in community music making.

Coordinator of Smith Street Jazz Band

Ken Chow is a Hong Kong–born saxophonist currently based in Brisbane. After receiving his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance with an Academic Commendation Award and the Brad Rogers Memorial Award from the Jazz Music Institute, he has remained active as both an educator and performer.

Following his graduation, Ken began teaching instrumental music and conducting concert bands and jazz ensembles in Brisbane. He has worked at Carmel College, Clairvaux MacKillop College, Brisbane South State Secondary College, and St. Joseph Primary School. He also holds an Associate Diploma in Jazz Saxophone from the London College of Music, and an Advanced Professional Certificate from Berklee Online, Berklee College of Music (USA).