ENSEMBLES 2025

Caulfield Grammar School - Wind Ensemble

Caulfield Grammar School has two high level, auditioned Wind Ensembles that rehearse separately at our two senior campuses. Our touring Wind Ensemble is comprised of a selection of students from both Wind Ensembles and provides our students with an experience that fosters friendships, the sharing of music across our School, and into the wider global community. The touring Wind Ensemble rehearses in addition to our campus-based ensembles. The touring ensemble is directed by Mr Simon Brown (Head of Brass) and Mrs Karen Bouyer (Head of Woodwind), both Karen and Simon have been teaching and directing ensembles at Caulfield Grammar School for over 20 years. For the Wind Ensemble, the opportunity to travel and share our music with the wider world is indeed a privilege and something that we are very much looking forward to.

Simon Brown

Conductor

Simon holds degrees from the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania and has primarily studied conducting with Rob McWilliams, Monte Mumford, also briefly with Richard Gill OA, Graham Abbott and Craig Kirchhoff. In a career spanning over 38 years he has taught brass in Bendigo and has been the Head of Brass at Carey Baptist Grammar and Xavier College and is currently the Head of Brass at Caulfield Grammar School, a position he has held for the past 21 years. At Caulfield, he teaches trumpet and conducts wind bands and a stage band. At tertiary level, Simon teaches Conducting and Second Instrument Brass Pedagogy for the Master of Music (Performance Teaching) degree at the University of Melbourne, Conservatorium of Music. He has also taught conducting at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne. He has directed various Wind Ensembles, which have toured nationally and internationally through New Zealand, Europe and the USA. He has given lectures for the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) and has been a Conducting Mentor/Tutor for the students of the ABODA Victoria Summer Conducting School. He also works as a conductor/mentor for the Victorian State Music Festival. As an adjudicator, Simon has worked for the Royal South Street Society, the Melbourne School Bands Festival and other eisteddfods. Simon has also adjudicated at state and national levels for the Victorian State and Australian National Brass Band Championships. Simon has also directed various symphony orchestras and concert bands with Melbourne Youth Music, Victoria’s State Music Camp and Border Music Camp. Simon is also the Musical Director of the Box Hill City Brass Band.

Karen Bouyer

Conductor

Karen Bouyer is an experienced music educator based in Melbourne, Australia, with a career spanning over 37 years. Holding degrees from The University of Tasmania and Victoria College in Melbourne, Karen has dedicated her life to fostering a love for music in young people. Currently serving as the Head of Woodwind at Caulfield Grammar School, Karen leads a team of eleven woodwind specialists, overseeing the development of students across a variety of musical disciplines. In addition to her instrumental teaching, Karen conducts the school’s Wind Ensemble, junior concert band, and junior jazz ensemble, providing students with a range of performance opportunities. Known for her commitment to young learners, Karen takes great pride in her role as an educator, particularly in her work with children. She is passionate about the power of inclusive education and the pivotal role music plays in fostering friendships, building a sense of community, and promoting lifelong learning. Karen’s dedication to her craft and her students has made her a respected figure in the music education community, and she continues to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Celebration Program

Additional Concerts Program