He’s a tuba playing teacher from Penrith, but the new recruit with the Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Town Band has his eye on the future.
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Ollie Harris has taken up the role of musical director with the town band’s fledgling Kool Tones outfit and says his role is to grow the bands membership.
“My job is, essentially, to source and then train students to progress into the Kool Tones ensemble. And once they are established at this level, then they would progress into the municipal town band,” he said.
“I want to foster students and then bring through the system.
“Kool Tones is an adult learners-level group that we are re-establishing at the moment.”
Working from the MacAdams Music Centre, Mr Harris said there were several different groups working under the band’s banner.
But the road to Port Macquarie had many twists for the 25-year veteran player.
“I learnt tuba in Penrith, attending the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and gaining a performance degree. Unfortunately I was unaware that there were not too many jobs for professional tuba players in Australia.
“I then took a chance and went overseas to compete in a tuba competition in France. After coming back to Australia I decided to add an education degree with the idea of going back overseas to teach and compete.
“I think I was there for five months. And it was a bit of a nightmare … I got pick-pocketed, it was a terrible time.”
Returning home, Mr Harris picked up a gig as a high school teacher at Parkes for three months before taking up a full time position at Broken Hill.
It was during his two year stint in the mining city that Mr Harris met his future wife Leigh, who was also working in the education system.
After moving back to Bathurst, Mr Harris took up an opportunity with the Mitchell Conservatorium tutoring at night and visiting and teaching at schools through the day.
“That was a great decision for me. I really enjoyed getting back into the musical side of things,” he added.
Twelve months ago the family moved to Port Macquarie.
“I essentially stopped playing for a long time but then I went down to the Anzac Day services and introduced myself … and ended playing in the pit the next day for the local production of The Producers.”
For information on the Port Macquarie Hastings Municipal Town Band contact the secretary 0418 683 263 or check out www.pmhmb.com.au
Kool Tones Ensemble rehearses each Monday from 7pm until 9pm and the concert band on Tuesdays from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.