Musical Directors

Mark Irwin GCB MD and Senior Band MD
Mark has been involved with the Geelong Concert Band and its forerunner, the Geelong Regional Youth Concert Band, since its inception in 1978. A graduate of the University of Melbourne Conservatorium, he majored in piano with May Clifford and french horn with Tom Nicholl, and played in the Faculty of Music Symphony Orchestra, Zelman Memorial Orchestra and the Preston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Professors George Loughlin and Peter Dennison, and the well-known Stuart Wilkie. Mark graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Music Education and commenced teaching in Geelong in 1978 at Newcomb High School, where he remained until 1989. After a year as a regional curriculum consultant, Mark took up the position of Co-ordinator of Music at The Geelong College Preparatory School and is currently the Director of Music at The Geelong College and conducts the College Senior Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra. Mark is a member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Director’s Association and for his services to community music he was awarded a Geelong Community Australia Day Award in 1995, a Life Membership of the Geelong Concert Band in 1997 and the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association Excellence Award in 2000. He has recently returned to Geelong after long service leave in Term 3, during which he attended the prestigious Canford Summer School of Music in the UK, studying symphonic wind band conducting with Timothy Reynish, Mark Herron and Russell Cowieson, and was an observer at the 2nd Biennial International Band Competition in Singapore.
Kate Zampatti
Youth Band MD
Kate has been happily involved in Geelong community music for many years, performing in various orchestras for local musical theatre groups, community orchestras, concert, jazz and pop bands. Kate completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Melbourne and a Diploma of Education (Secondary) at Monash University. She is the Music Coordinator at Christian College – Bellarine Campus, where she conducts the Concert Band and Middle School Choir; teaches instrumental and classroom Music and English. Kate has a passion for musical theatre and recently received an award for Best Musical Director in a Junior Show for Fiddler on the Roof, with Christian College (from the Theatre Guild of Victoria). She has also worked with Parcell Production, Geelong Lyric Theatre Society (receiving a Commendation for her work in Oliver from the Guild); the Geelong Musical Comedy Company for Cabaret (nominated for Best Musical Director); Geelong Lyric Youth Theatre & Geelong Repertory Theatre plus various shows with Medimime Productions and Christian College. Kate is an active member of the Geelong Concert Band, conducting the Youth Band and playing with the Senior Band and Big Band. She is a committee member of the Geelong Summmer Music Camp and thoroughly enjoys involving people in the wide world of music.
Michael Wilding
Workshop Band MD

Michael has been a member of all bands in the Geelong Concert Band organisation since joining the Workshop Band in 1994. He is a music and education graduate of The University of Melbourne where he studied Clarinet with Ian Morgan and piano with Dr. Anna Goldsworthy. He participated in conducting classes with Professor John Hopkins. During this time at University Michael also achieved his LMusA on Clarinet and AMusA on both Clarinet and Piano. Michael has also been involved playing in nearly 40 Musical Theatre Productions for school and amateur theatre groups. In these productions he has been a member of pit orchestras on keyboard and reeds and performed the role of rehearsal pianist on many occasions. Michael took on the role of Musical Director for Geelong Lyric’s, ‘The Sound of Music’ and Queenscliff Lighthouse Theatre Groups, ‘The King and I’. Michael has been involved with many music community groups. These include Geelong Community Orchestra, Geelong Philharmonic, Melbourne Opera Orchestra and accompanists for many local choirs. Michael is currently teaching at St.Joseph’s College, Christian College and Geelong College where he is a classroom music teacher, ensemble director, accompanist and instrumental tutor on Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute and Piano. When he is not pursuing musical commitments Michael is a member of both Queen’s Park and Thirteenth Beach Golf clubs where he plays off a low handicap.