About Us

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Dr Graeme Denniss has a wide background in performance, as both conductor and instrumental performer. After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium as Student of the Year, (Piano, French Horn, Composition and Conducting), he embarked on a 20 year career as a full time professional Horn player, first in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, then later in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as Principal Third Horn.  

Graeme studied conducting with John Curro AM MBE while a student at QCM, and made his debut conducting the Queensland Youth Symphony in one of his own compositions at Mayne Hall UQ.

After leaving the MSO, he returned to Brisbane in order to study for his PhD in composition at UQ. At this time he took up conducting again, becoming the Conductor of the Brisbane Citizens Band, which gave regular Sunday afternoon performances at New Farm Park and the Botanic Gardens, as well as participating in ANZAC Day. In addition Graeme conducted the new Kent Farbach score to the silent movie, “The Kid Stakes” at the Brisbane International Film Festival, and the Orchestra Corda Spiritus in a performance of his own composition, “Songs of the Ming Dynasty”.

Graeme became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Redland Sinfonia in early 2014 and has led the orchestra in a series of successful concerts. His programs are designed around particular themes and present a wide range of periods and styles, including his own arrangements and compositions, from early music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, through Classical styles and up to contemporary genres such as ragtime, jazz and pop. He combines well-known repertoire with lesser-known pieces, and introduces each piece with educational and unusual background information.

Graeme is also a Represented Composer at the Australian Music Centre and is Composer in Residence of the Best of Brass Quintet. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the National Academy of Music Colorado USA for his success in the International Music Prizes competition. He recently conducted his own commissioned work at the Central Highlands Festival of Bands, Emerald. He also works as an adjudicator, AMEB examiner, studio teacher and visiting lecturer.