Brass & Woodwind
Section
- Convenor
- Mrs. Jenny Thomas Contact Details
- scje.brasswoodwind@gmail.com
- Phone
- 0407 767 504 (After Hours Only)
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Own Choice Music Due
Wednesday, 7th Jun 2023
Performances
Friday, 28th Jul 2023 -
Sunday, 30th Jul 2023
Adjudicator

John Saunders
John Saunders was born into a musical family, being given Piano instruction from his father Jack, from about age 3. John saw the light at about age 9 and started playing Brass, also taught by his father.
John found himself most comfortable behind a Euphonium, being named NSW Euphonium Champion 8 times and was National Champion in 1986 and 1988. He was also winner of the prestigious Ern Keller Competition, for Australian and New Zealand brass players in 1998. John gained his A.Mus.A and L.Mus.A on Euphonium in the late 1990’s.
John became a full-time member of the NSW Police Band in 1988. The NSW Police Band is a 30 piece professional Concert Band based in Sydney. He was privileged to be named Director of Music of the band in 2005, a position he holds to this day.
On Euphonium and Baritone John has been a member of every Australia Brass and National Australia Brass course since 1995.
John was a founder member of the Warringah Concert Brass, formed by his father Jack, in 1979, becoming Musical Director in 1999. This position gives John a chance to mentor many amateur musicians, of all standards, a responsibility he finds very important and rewarding.
John maintains his brass teaching across a wide range of ages and abilities. He has also recently expanded his activities into the world of adjudicating, having adjudicated at the Western Australian State Band and Solo Championships and The City of Sydney Eisteddfod Brass Solo and School Band sections.
Large Ensemble
Section
- Convenor
- Mrs. Jenny Thomas Contact Details
- scje.largeensemble@gmail.com
- Phone
- 0407 767 504 (After Hours Only)
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Own Choice Music Due
Wednesday, 7th Jun 2023
Performances
Saturday, 29th Jul 2023 -
Friday, 4th Aug 2023
Adjudicators

Alexandra Khafagi
Alexandra is currently the Director of Performing Arts at St Joseph’s Nudgee College, a role she relishes due to the opportunities to be involved in many and varied activities that allow boys to achieve balance in their lives.
Alex also conducts the String Ensemble and Philharmonia Orchestra and teaches double bass at the Young Conservatorium. This role has allowed her to participate in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) both in Brisbane and regional Queensland.
Although Alex graduated with a degree in the double bass, she plays and teaches many instruments, conducts and accompanies a range of ensembles, and teaches classroom music.
She is delighted to add the Sunshine Coast Eisteddfod to those she has adjudicated, which also include the Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival and the Brisbane Eisteddfod.

John Saunders
John Saunders was born into a musical family, being given Piano instruction from his father Jack, from about age 3. John saw the light at about age 9 and started playing Brass, also taught by his father.
John found himself most comfortable behind a Euphonium, being named NSW Euphonium Champion 8 times and was National Champion in 1986 and 1988. He was also winner of the prestigious Ern Keller Competition, for Australian and New Zealand brass players in 1998. John gained his A.Mus.A and L.Mus.A on Euphonium in the late 1990’s.
John became a full-time member of the NSW Police Band in 1988. The NSW Police Band is a 30 piece professional Concert Band based in Sydney. He was privileged to be named Director of Music of the band in 2005, a position he holds to this day.
On Euphonium and Baritone John has been a member of every Australia Brass and National Australia Brass course since 1995.
John was a founder member of the Warringah Concert Brass, formed by his father Jack, in 1979, becoming Musical Director in 1999. This position gives John a chance to mentor many amateur musicians, of all standards, a responsibility he finds very important and rewarding.
John maintains his brass teaching across a wide range of ages and abilities. He has also recently expanded his activities into the world of adjudicating, having adjudicated at the Western Australian State Band and Solo Championships and The City of Sydney Eisteddfod Brass Solo and School Band sections.

Ireni Utley
Ireni Utley is a Masters graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium in Opera Performance and Vocal Pedagogy. She has sung many principal roles with Victorian Opera and in Opera Queensland’s Chorus, nationally and internationally with Sirens of Song and Musica Viva, and as soloist in numerous oratorio and sacred works in and around Brisbane.
Ireni has been teaching for 20 years, including time at St Laurence’s College, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, St Stephens Cathedral, and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She has also adjudicated Eistedfoddau and competitions in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, and run performance masterclasses at several schools around Brisbane.
Piano
Section
- Convenor
- Mrs. Desley Payne Contact Details
- scje.pianoforte@gmail.com
- Phone
- 07 5445 8461 (After Hours Only)
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Own Choice Music Due
Wednesday, 7th Jun 2023
Performances
Friday, 11th Aug 2023 -
Saturday, 12th Aug 2023
Adjudicator

Daniel Johnson
Pianist, Daniel Johnson, has been described by Yamaha Australia as "masterful and insightful", and his Chopin described as "stunning" and "a true pianist" by the late, internationally renowned concert pianist, Dr. Marilyn Meier. Born and raised in Mount Isa, Daniel began piano lessons locally with Pam Breen. After winning the Yamaha Keyboard Award for Queensland and the Yamaha Most Outstanding Performer of the year in 2000, he commenced studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Oleg Stepanov and Dr. Diane Selmon. He then continued studies at the School of Creative Arts, University of Southern Queensland with concert pianists Wendy Lorenz, Renate Turini, Dr. Marilyn Meier, and at the conclusion of his degree with Helen Smith.
Daniel gives masterclasses, adjudicates, and examines for various piano competitions and eisteddfods across Australia. He has broadcast live recitals for the MBS network as part of the City Hall Recital Series in Brisbane and the New Sounds Recital Series at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. He has presented research papers for international conferences such as the Inaugural Messiaen International Conference and has been invited each year since 2009 to present research and perform at the World Piano Conference in Novi Sad, Serbia.
An advocate for Australian composers, Daniel has focused most of his academic research on the vocal, symphonic, and instrumental works of composer Miriam Hyde. He has piano works dedicated to him by Australian composer, Phillip Wilcher (Pirouettes, 5 Nocturnes for Left Hand Alone), and has given world premieres of piano works composed for him by American composer, Forrest Starling (Nocturne for Piano). In 2022-23 he gives premiere performances of works by Australian composer Anthony Moles and performs the complete music for clarinet and piano by Miriam Hyde with clarinettist Catherine Motteram.
Daniel serves as a councillor and mentor with the Queensland Music Teachers Association (QMTA) and is the director of The Artistry Labs: a private, audition-based studio for advanced musicians in Brisbane. He holds examination and performance diplomas from Trinity College (London), ABRSM, and the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) where he is also an examiner for piano, and a national/international examiner for Rockschool. He holds a Master of Music majoring in piano performance with distinction from the University of Queensland where he studied with Professor Max Olding. He currently lectures in theory and analysis at UQ where he is also a PhD candidate researching and performing the works of Miriam Hyde and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Speech & Drama
Section
- Convenor
- Mrs. Robyn Ernst Contact Details
- scje.speechdrama@gmail.com
- Phone
- 0414758701
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Performances
Friday, 4th Aug 2023 -
Sunday, 6th Aug 2023
Adjudicators
To Be Confirmed
The Adjudicators for this section are yet to be confirmed.
Please check back at a later date.
Strings
Section
- Convenor
- Mrs. Maria Salmon Contact Details
- scje.strings@gmail.com
- Phone
- 0459357269
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Own Choice Music Due
Wednesday, 7th Jun 2023
Performances
Friday, 4th Aug 2023 -
Sunday, 6th Aug 2023
Adjudicator
Ben Adkins
Ben Adkins is a Strings pedagogue who has educated and guided young musicians across Brisbane to fuel their passion for music. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, he has directed the Strings programs at Clairvaux Mackillop College, Loreto College and Mt Maria College. Towards the end of Term 3 2022, Ben stepped into the full-time instrumental Strings role at St Laurence’s College in South Brisbane, where he works with the multitude of String Orchestras, as well as conducting the College Symphony Orchestra, with students ranging from years 5-12.
He graduated from the Griffith Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music majoring in violin performance, and completed his Master of Secondary Teaching with Central Queensland University; however, he enjoys teaching instrumental music more than the classroom side. A violinist and pianist by trade with a love for ensemble directing, Ben also has an irrevocable passion for composition, often arranging video game, anime or movie/tv soundtracks for his ensembles. He has also
adjudicated for various Talent Quests, Fundraiser performances, and Battle of the Bands competitions over the years, not to mention the Large String Ensemble section for the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod last year.
Having performed and conducted both domestically and internationally, Ben strives to instill all young musicians with the same passion for music he has.
Vocal
Section
- Convenor
- Miss Sarah Sullivan Contact Details
- scje.vocal@gmail.com
- Phone
- 0408 882 115
- Dates
-
Entries Due
Wednesday, 22nd Mar 2023
Own Choice Music Due
Wednesday, 7th Jun 2023
Performances
Friday, 4th Aug 2023 -
Sunday, 6th Aug 2023
Adjudicator

Ireni Utley
Ireni Utley is a Masters graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium in Opera Performance and Vocal Pedagogy. She has sung many principal roles with Victorian Opera and in Opera Queensland’s Chorus, nationally and internationally with Sirens of Song and Musica Viva, and as soloist in numerous oratorio and sacred works in and around Brisbane.
Ireni has been teaching for 20 years, including time at St Laurence’s College, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, St Stephens Cathedral, and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She has also adjudicated Eistedfoddau and competitions in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, and run performance masterclasses at several schools around Brisbane.