Conductor & Musical Director:

Andrea Simpson read more about Andrea >>

Current members

String Section:

AileenI learnt the violin at high school and after 20 years of admiring my violin in its case, I have joined Squawkestra and absolutely love playing again. Don't play quite as well but at Squawkestra nobody seems to mind. It's all good fun! (Violin) AirlieAirlie is a policy analyst by profession and has been learning to play violin for five years. She thinks Squawkestra is the most exciting thing thats happened to her in ages and is very proud of suddenly being a genuine second violin. Her new years resolution is Learning to Count. (Violin) Brendan (Violin) ChantelHeadline: Prodigal muso returns to her classical roots! After turning to the dark side (read: celtic, gypsy, jazz, the Wiggles) I now find myself wanting to play classical music again. I have dabbled in piano, guitar and vocals but for the moment at least, it's the violin/fiddle that's rockin' my world, baby! (Violin) Fiona (Violin) Julie (Violin) Katie (Violin) KatrinaIn a dusty closet in beaumauris, an old violin slept with a tightly strung bow and a broken body. Abandoned by it's owner, a czech linguist, political spy and womaniser who fled his homeland with his only son. He knew the war was coming but no-one knew why he fled. Many, many years later, in 2005 the violin was discovered by the curious horticulturalist, piano playing great grand daughter of the violin's original owner. A squawker was born. (Violin) Louisa (Violin) MichaelaI wanted to play the violin again when my daughter was learning a few years ago at primary school. I remember playing when I was very young but never got very far with it.... I was lucky enough to have lessons with her at the school and was part of the school band for a while with other parents ! We even did our prelim and grade 1 exams together! Then I found sqwakestra and here I am ! (Violin) Peter When my son went overseas for a year I borrowed his violin and taught myself to play - quite painful for the rest of the household. Through Squawkestra I am able to spread the pain around. (Violin) Rebecca (Violin) Selena (Violin) Thuan Seah (Violin) Tom (Violin) Loes I started playing the viola 4 years ago. I am enjoying it very much. It is my recreation and relaxation. Trying to concentrate on playing the right notes. I joined Squawkestra this year and have learned so much by sitting next to a very good viola player. It's great. My aim when starting music lessons was to be able to play at my work, which I now do at times. I work as a nurse in a (very good) Nursing home. For me to be able to get a tune out of the viola, while I had no experience with any kind of instrument until well after 45yo, is a great surprise. Hope to be part of Squawkestra for a long time coming. (Viola) Esther (Cello) Jacinta (Cello) John (Cello) Leah3 years ago I found a very cheap cello in the attic of a new house that I had bought. (Cello)

Woodwind Section:

Anne (Oboe) Brenda (Flute) Jill (Flute) Kerrie (Flute) Wendy (Flute) Yasmine (Flute) Brett (Clarinet) Dave (Clarinet) EvaI originally played the clarinet during school - over 40 years ago! Now retired from uni. teaching, I find time - as well as helping out with my twin baby grandsons - to have another bash. So the Squawkestra has been a godsend. (Clarinet) India (Clarinet) JarI joined Squawkestra in Jan 2007. That was about the same time I decided to get serious with my clarinet again, after about 12 years of random 5 min surge practice sessions that never really amounted to anything. Being part of Squawkestra definitely makes it simple to keep the interest and motivation going. When I'm not squawking on the clarinet, I'm bashing away at a keyboard (piano and computer, and just recently a melodica), or feeling guilty about not riding my bicycle more. (Clarinet) Kathryn (Clarinet) Penny (Clarinet) Greg (Bassoon) Sue (Bass Clarinet)

Brass Section:

Cara (Trumpet) Len (Trumpet) MarkLearnt Euphonium at High School and didn't keep up with it. Picked up a Eupho a mate had 15 years ago and managed to keep up with him on a trumpet by watching his fingers, so thought I'd better try again. Another mate loaned me his battered Boosey & Hawks, which was fun, but I got sick of it firing the second valved innards over my shoulder so I got the trombone, WHICH I ALWAYS WANTED ANYHOW! I'm having a lot of fun in Squawkestra and have two ambitions, learn not to play too loud, and, erm, learn to play... (Trombone) Rowland (Trombone) Felicity (French Horn) JeremyI haven't picked up my French Horn for approximately 10 years despite playing in Brass Bands for the last 15 or so. I'm hoping that Squawkestra will help with my mis- pitching and dodgy intonation and still be eternally forgiving! (French Horn)

Percussion Section:

Caroline (Percussion) Shannon (Percussion)