In 2023, Yamaha Music Australia’s Education Outreach initiative enters its eighth year with Prof. Rob McWilliams as Education Outreach Clinician. In that time, he has visited hundreds of educational institutions and worked with thousands of music teachers (pre-service and in-service), ensemble conductors, and aspiring student and community musicians in orchestras, wind bands, jazz ensembles, and many more.

2022 saw an increase in live ensemble workshops, professional development sessions for educators/conductors, and direct Outreach activity. We expect this increasing trend will continue throughout 2023.

2022 also saw the return of the highly successful ‘Yamaha Wind Orchestra — Professional Development Project’ which brought approximately fifty-five musicians together over two weekends in Melbourne. This project provides unparalleled opportunity on two fronts:

• The opportunity to perform in an elite level symphonic wind band, playing top-quality repertoire for a single concert performance in an outstanding venue.
• Access to unique professional development opportunities for musicians and conductors. Through an innovative approach to the preparation and rehearsal process, this initiative will assist musicians and conductors who deal with wind bands in educational institutions and the community. As part of the Yamaha Wind Orchestra, the ensemble members will receive learning materials related to repertoire selection, program design, score preparation / study, rehearsal / conducting techniques and more!

Visit Yamaha Wind Orchestra to learn more.

Piano Education Outreach

To extend the work Yamaha is doing to increase quality and participation in music making, in 2020, we appointed Carly McDonald as our Piano Educaiton consultant. Yamaha Music Australia is committed to developing programs and resources to support piano teachers across the country and co-exist alongside our music advocacy program Off to a Great Start.

The Education Outreach team’s work in education and the broader community on behalf of Yamaha continues to significantly contribute to increasing quality and participation in instrumental music around Australia. To access these professional development services (funded fully by Yamaha Music Australia), please Contact Us.