Superbands Background

Formed in 2009 by Adelaide Jazz legend Mike Stewart, the JazzSA Superband program was designed to bring together South Australia's leading jazz professionals and its keenest students in one highly dynamic and inclusive educational platform. Experienced conductors work weekly with students to rehearse and prepare for an end of term showcase playing repertoire that pays homage to the greats but also exposes them to the music of the future. Conductors are rotated every term so that Superband students get to work with a wide variety of musical influences and the program is streamed through a competitive audition program that promotes both excellence and inclusivity.  

Student testimonials

Caspar - "The program really fosters a great atmosphere for people to bounce creative ideas off one another. The conductors are all lovely people, and have great communication with the band, allowing the players freedom while still keeping things under control. I also love it that you guys get Ferg to write the set for term 4, really fun music!" 

Theo - "What i like most about the program is the rotation of conductors. Each conductor has their own style and different ideas. This really makes the program interesting and engaging." 

Tom - "Repertoire is fantastic. Such a great way for meeting other musicians. And fantastic conductors with valuable things to share. In general a fantastic organisation" 

Madi - "I really enjoy coming to rehearsal each week, and all of the conductors we have had throughout the year have taught us different things and different approaches. I went from having only been conducted by one or two people at school, to changing conductors every term. And I find that I have improved a lot in sight reading and ensemble playing" 

Justin- "Being able to meet other musicians from different schools, younger and older, has made this program an invaluable experience." 

Tom - "Conductors across all 3 bands were well chosen In Superband 1 each term's music focused on a particular theme or genre in which helped broaden the student's knowledge of those themes/genres" 

Ryan - "I like how the conductors change every term as it gave us a variety of playing and conducting styles." 

Sean - "Each conductor for Superband 2 was amazing, providing insightful and anecdotal information from their experiences as musicians improved by musicality significantly." 

Fabio - "The program was really fun and I got to meet different conductors and professional musicians from around the world"

Upcoming gig you wish to promote? 

Send it to jazzsanews@jazzsa.org.au