ABODA (WA) Inc

27/04/2026

Early bird pricing closes May 3rd. Don't miss the chance to take part in the biggest personal development event of 2026!

🎺🎻 ANBOC 2026 🎶
📅ANBOC 2026 - Friday 2 October – Monday 5 October 2026
• Four days. World‑class keynotes. Powerful performances. Collaboration and community!
Partnering with Open Academy at the Con.
Whether you’re a conductor, educator, instrumentalist, or music leader, ANBOC 2026 will be an inspiring, hands‑on professional development experience you won’t want to miss.
🎟 ABODA Members - don't forget your discount code
🎟 Sign up now to secure Early Bird pricing!
Early Bird: $590.00 inc GST (down from $750.00 inc GST)
Save over 21% !!
All details and registration at the link below:
👉 https://openacademy.sydney.edu.au/course/ANBOC2026
Join us in shaping the NEXT MOVEMENT in Australian ensemble music making. 🌟

07/03/2026

Calling all band directors - we are thrilled to announce that Rick Keenan will be presenting in Perth tomorrow!

Rick will be demystifying the festival lists, sharing insights into how to interpret and use them effectively, and presenting sample program ideas across levels. He will also play audio excerpts so you can hear what selected works sound like in performance; an incredibly valuable opportunity when planning for the year ahead. Rick is a true wealth of knowledge in this area, and this promises to be a practical and inspiring session.

Whether you’re already planning your 2026 festival program or just starting to explore repertoire options, this session will be invaluable. We also plan to have this as a teams/zoom meeting as well to help cater for our regional members.

We look forward to seeing you there! Please let us know your intent to intend by emailing [email protected]

Date: Monday 9th March
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Churchlands SHS, Choral Studio

05/03/2026

We are thrilled to announce a brand new workshop for 2026: Ready, Set, Conduct!

This is our junior conducting clinic, designed especially for primary and secondary students who are curious about stepping onto the podium. We know there are so many budding conductors out there, eager to learn what really goes into leading an ensemble and this is their chance!

This dynamic one-day clinic will be led by the incredible Sara Duhig, and will give students hands-on experience with:

· Baton Technique

· Score Preparation

· Cueing

· Rehearsal Skills

· And so much more!

It’s going to be an inspiring, practical, and confidence-building day for our next generation of conductors.

23/02/2026

And that's a wrap on GMMCC 2026. It was a wonderful weekend, full of learning opportunities and fun times. A massive thanks to everyone who came, played and conducted, and to Steve Williams for his knowledge and expertise.

08/02/2026

Congratulations and Welcome to Domenic Lamattina, ABODA WA's 2026 Emerging Conductor Scholarship recipient!
Domenic is a composer and percussionist currently completing his bachelor of music at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. We look forward to working with Domenic over the course of the year, including our upcoming Greg McMurdo Memorial Conducting Clinic.

Photo: Holly Van

12/12/2025

ANBOC 2026's theme is:
The Next Movement

The Next Movement is a rallying cry for inspiration, connection and action across Australian music education. At ANBOC 2026 we look ahead and build the network that powers a stronger future: schools, studios, universities, community bands and professionals pulling together. We will share practical strategies that lift recruitment, grow vibrant ensemble communities, deepen teaching practice and commissioning with purpose. The goal is a national movement that sustains participation and excellence from first lesson to lifelong music making.

Within that momentum sits a clear commitment to composition. We will champion new works that ensembles can play with pride, and we will support composers to write boldly, often and locally. Expect reading sessions, workshops, commissioning labs and partnerships that bring fresh scores to life.

Join us to learn, make and lead. ANBOC 2026 invites you to write it, teach it, play it and move the nation with it. The Next Movement starts now.

Want to inspire "The Next Movement?"
Apply to become a presenter or performer now.

Presenter:
https://cfp.sched.com/speaker/Z6szDfDory/event

Performer:
https://cfp.sched.com/speaker/cxRKgz47BQ/event

12/12/2025

ABODA WA Emerging Conductor Program

All aspiring and experienced conductors are encouraged to apply for the 2026 ABODA WA Emerging Conductor Program.

This exciting opportunity is open to conductors of all levels and will give the successful applicant the opportunity to conduct a full symphonic wind ensemble made up of highly skilled musicians from Western Australia.

The successful applicant will receive:
· Conducting lessons throughout 2026,
· Mentorship within a rehearsal setting,
· Free membership to ABODA WA for 2026,
· Free access to all of ABODA WA's events, including the Greg McMurdo Conducting Clinic (held from February 20th-22nd)
· Opportunity to conduct a community ensemble (where appropriate)

To apply please email the following to [email protected]

· Short biography (100 words)

· Personal statement about why you would like to be in the ABODA WA Emerging Conductors Program (200 words)

· 1 minute video on what you think makes a good conductor (a spoken piece to camera)

· A video of you conducting either a live ensemble or recording
(Videos should be shared via file sharing platforms such as OneDrive, DropBox or YouTube (please set access to private). Please include the link to your files in the application form.)

Applications close: Friday 23rd January 2026

If you have any issues please do not hesitate to contact our secretary Claire Nankivell via email [email protected]