ENSEMBLES 2009
Gavin Staines
Band Director
Gavin was appointed to Chatswood High School as a music teacher in 1980 following study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and subsequently started the Extra-Curricular Program. 2009 is Gavin’s 30th year at the school.
Gavin currently directs the two Concert Bands and also oversees the progress and performances of the two Stage Bands, String Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Guitar Group and Choir. He is also the Band Director of the Roseville Primary School Band Program, one of the Feeder Schools. He has also directed a number of other local feeder Primary School Concert Bands.
Gavin learned the Cornet and then later the Trombone as a young person growing up in The Salvation Army. He attained the AMusA at 20. For much of his life he has attended the Sydney Congress Hall Corps of The Salvation Army, and was a member of the Brass Band that toured to New Zealand, USA, Canada and Britain. For ten years Gavin was the Director of ‘OnFire’, the Big Band at the Church.
In 1990 Gavin commenced the Yamaha Music Festival in Sydney. Over 300 Ensembles now participate annually.
Gavin was a finalist in the National Excellence in Teaching Awards in 1997, and in 1999 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his services to Music at Chatswood High School.
Gavin is married to Karen, and they have three children – Kara, Mitchell and Anthea.
