2024 NSW New Band Repertoire Reading & Resource Day - Highlights Reel

NSW New Band Repertoire Reading Day

The Band Association of NSW is delighted to announce that with the support of ABODA NSW, we are hosting the 2026 New Band Repertoire Reading Day on the weekend of 31 January – 1 February, 2026 with the venue to be confirmed.

Play through new release band music from Australian and International publishers.

As well as playing through new and exciting works, participants will be able to visit trade displays, catch up with colleagues, share ideas and enjoy a tasty lunch.

Early Bird Registration until 9 January 2026 costs $77 (inc. GST)
Registration for the event following this date will be $90 (inc. GST)
The cost will cover all sessions and catering.

KEY DATES:
November 1, 2025 – Opening Date for Music Submission for Composers/Publishers
November 25, 2025 – Closing Date for Music Submission for Composers/Publishers

January 9, 2026 – Close for Early Bird Registration
January 19, 2026 – Close for Expressions of Interest for a Trade Stand

January 11, 2026 – Close for scores and parts for featured works to be submitted to BANSW

Proposed Schedule (may be subject to change):

Saturday – Concert Bands

10.00 Registration
10:30 Session 1
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Session 2
14:30 to 15:00 Conclusion

Sunday – Brass Bands

10.00 Registration
10:30 Session 1
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Session 2
14:30 Afternoon Tea
15:00 Session 3
16:30 Conclusion

Composers & Publishers - Submit Works

Please complete this form to register your work for consideration at the 2026 New Band Repertoire Reading Day.

Submit your work

For Publishers and Distributors that would prefer to submit a spreadsheet - please email the file directly to the Reading Day team - musicreadingday@bandnsw.com

We can accept multiple works for consideration; however, any work submitted must have a publishing date within the last 18 months of the Reading Day weekend and be only NEW works not featured at previous reading days.

As we wish to support local businesses, all works submitted must be available for purchase from an Australian store/website.

Participants - Register Here

Registrations for 2026 will open soon

Music Suppliers - Trade Display Application

We are calling for expressions of interest for a limited number of boutique publishers and retailers who are interested in setting up a trade stand on the day.

Trade area space is limited. Allocations including display area sizes and prices will be early January 2026.

Please contact the team at musicreadingday@bandnsw.com to book in your space.

Conductors

Welcome to our returning conductors for the New Band Repertoire Reading Day!

Andrew McWade

Andrew was appointed Director of Bands at Barker in 2015 and has worked as an ensemble director for over a decade. He is also the founding music director of the Old Barker Association’s North Shore Wind Symphony, one of Australia’s premiere wind bands. He holds two degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, a Bachelor of Music Education, with a principal study in saxophone, and a Master of Music Studies in conducting.

Andrew has been involved in wind ensembles since a very young age. He has been a guest conductor for many high school ensembles, representative combined high school music camps and university ensembles including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Wind Symphony. He has also toured around Australia and internationally, performing with and conducting groups on three continents.

Andrew has been fortunate to study and learn from many of Australia’s leading music educators and has also participated in international conducting symposiums. He is the President of the NSW Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA), where he organises and leads professional development courses for aspiring conductors and ensemble educators.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019 he received the ABODA Prize for the conductor who prepared the most challenging and entertaining program of the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festivals.

Garry Clark

Garry brings an abundance of conducting, performing and teaching experience to his leadership of several Bands in Western Sydney. He has a well-deserved reputation for his commitment to the development of instrumental music at a community level, and to providing opportunities for community engagement with the Arts.

He has performed regularly with a wide variety of groups including The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS), a Western Sydney-based community orchestra, Penrith Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Wind Symphony, North Shore Wind Symphony, Australian Wind Orchestra, Sydney Wind Orchestra, and various other ensembles, orchestras, musical societies and concert bands across Sydney.

As conductor, teacher, performer, administrator and more, Garry has dedicated his professional life to developing public school music programs and community band programs that work together to create an outstanding pathway of learning for young musicians. Garry holds a B Mus/B Teach degree from the University of New England in Armidale, and was awarded the UNE Alumni Achievement Award in 2019. He is one of only three recipients of the 'National Citation of Excellence' from the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (ABODA).

Megan Lipworth

Meg is an award-winning and ARIA-nominated musician, conductor, educator, and performer, a Bachelor of Music Studies (Percussion) from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) from Macquarie University. She has also begun a Master of Teaching.

Meg was the recipient of the Cliff Goodchild Scholarship for Conducting in 2020, and conducts school and community bands throughout Sydney, including two 60-year-old ensembles - Lane Cove Community Bands, and Bondi Brass, which the late great Paul Goodchild bestowed upon her. She has been an adjudicator for a number of eisteddfods and events, including ASBOF (the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival).

Meg serves on multiple committees, including ABODA NSW, and is often found working as a conductor, instrumental and choral tutor with organisations including The Arts Unit (Department of Education) and SYO Sydney Youth Orchestras.

She is the front-person of accomplished indie-kindie band, TIPTOE GIANTS.

Meg is a passionate educator, nurturer, entertainer, and advocate for accessible and inclusive instrumental music and arts education and experiences, and also works closely with the disability and music therapy communities.

Luke Bradbury

Luke began learning the cornet at age 7 with Maitland City Brass Band. He progressed through AMEB exam system and studied at the Conservatorium, gaining performance experience with the Newcastle Conservatorium Youth Orchestra and Newcastle Wind Orchestra. By age of 15, Luke was playing in pit orchestras for various musical theatre amassing an impressive repertoire of approximately 40 productions by the time he turned 18.

Since 2019, Luke has served as the Musical Director of Parramatta City Band, bringing dedication and vision to the ensemble. Under his leadership, the band navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged stronger, with a growing membership and enhanced musically. Luke has fostered a welcoming and spiring environment, ensuring that Parramatta City Band remains a vibrant and vital part of the community’s cultural life.

Luke is also the Musical Director of Cardiff Brass. He has been in this position since July 2020. Cardiff Brass is a community band that regularly performs for its loyal fan base. He has progressed the band to new levels of performance and enjoyment.

Luke is a passionate musician and Musical Director with the view that music is the one language that has the power to connect and touch each person. Music should be enjoyable and enrichen people's lives, whether they are the performer or the listener. Luke is forever chasing the magical performances that leave the listener and performer with the ultimate adrenaline rush. How good is music!