Our 2025 Conductors
Bishop Symphony Orchestra
Alex Morton
One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading french horn players, Alex Morton is in demand as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician, performance coach, and conductor. Graduating from the Australian National Academy of Music in 2017, Alex has since held contracts with Victorian Opera and the Melbourne, West Australian, and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras, and has toured internationally with his chamber ensemble, Morton Trio. As Music Director of 50s Up Brass Band and the Middleton Grange School Orchestras, Alex has seen tremendous success in the development of these wonderful ensembles under his leadership. A passionate educator, Alex has an exceptional ability to lead and inspire young musicians in achieving technical and musical brilliance, and to feel confident onstage. Alongside his work as performer and conductor, Alex works as a performance coach with the express goal of helping clients achieve success through finding the joy and ease in everything they do.
Jones String Ensemble
Stephen Hardie
Stephen Hardie holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), graduating in 2022. During his studies at MCM, Stephen travelled to the U.S.A. and Europe to participate in various masterclasses and workshops. He also studied on-line and in person with Mark Shapiro from the Juilliard School in New York.
In 2022 Stephen moved to the U.S.A. to commence studies towards a Doctor of Musical Arts degree majoring in Orchestral Conducting, studying with world-renowned pedagogue Professor Mark Gibson at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). After completing the first 2 years of this degree, Stephen was the recipient of the 2024-25 CCM Assistant Conductor Fellowship with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Prior to choosing to focus on conducting, Stephen cultivated a very successful career in Australia as a freelance percussionist and teacher. He performed with each of the Melbourne, West Australian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria and the Auckland Philharmonia. He also taught Percussion at the University of Melbourne and at various schools around Melbourne, most notably Eltham and Blackburn High Schools.
Scott String Ensemble
Tom Pepprell
As an alumnus of State Music Camp, Thomas has had a lifetime of engagement with ensemble music. Thomas has an extensive background in performance, having performed across stages in Australia, New Zealand, China and the US.
Thomas completed his Honours in Music Performance at The University of Melbourne during which he studied under the mentorship of violinists Roy Theaker and Sarah Curro. Thomas currently works as a string teacher at Haileybury where he teaches across both the instrumental and ensemble programs in the Junior, Middle and Senior schools.
Thomas’ current interests lie in music education and in providing the wider community with access to music, working on projects with the Langley Estate in Bendigo to establish a concert series and a music school, as well as the ongoing orchestral and chamber concert series delivered by the Peninsula Chamber Musicians down on the Mornington Peninsula.
Thomson String Ensemble
Oscar Woinarski
Oscar Woinarski is a Melbourne-based (Naarm) music educator, cellist, and conductor, currently teaching at Caulfield Grammar School and Our Lady of Sion College. He leads chamber and string ensembles, oversees a Year 7 string program, and delivers both private and group tuition.
Oscar’s passion for music was sparked through his involvement with Young Voices of Melbourne, Melbourne Youth Music, and State Music Camp. He completed his Bachelor of Music (Honours) in 2018 and Master of Music in 2019 at the Melbourne Conservatorium, studying under Alvin Wong and Edith Salzmann, and performing in masterclasses with acclaimed cellists including Li-Wei Qin and Peter Wispelwey. While originally pursuing a freelance performance career, Oscar gravitated towards teaching. His experiences include performances and education work across Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the U.S., including the MIMIR Chamber Music Festival and Akaroa Music Festival.
In 2023, he conducted the CGS Kreisler Strings on tour in Vienna and Bratislava, and recently led ensembles at State Music Camp and MYO. He will return to State Music Camp in 2025 and is preparing for a 2026 CGS tour to Italy.
Oscar was honoured to receive the 2024 VMTA Graduate Award at Deakin University, where he is currently completing a part-time education degree. His studies have deepened his commitment to creating equitable, meaningful music learning experiences and have challenged him to think critically about educational policy, teacher wellbeing, and the role of advocacy in the arts.
Johnston String Ensemble
To be announced
To be announced – stay tuned!
Britton String Ensemble
To be announced
To be announced – stay tuned!
Our Orchestras
Bishop Symphony Orchestra
Bishop String Ensemble is named in honour of John Bishop OBE. Originally from Melbourne before taking up an appointment at the University of Adelaide, John was one of the founding members of the music camp movement in Australia in 1947. Travel to the USA, Europe and Great Britain instilled a burning ambition to instigate the formation of musical camps in Australia.
- Type: Symphony Orchestra for strings, woodwind, brass and percussion
- Standard: AMEB Grade 7+ or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Jones String Ensemble
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 5-6 or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Scott String Ensemble
Professor Bill Scott was a loyal supporter of the State Music Camp Association for a number of years as Chairman of the Committee. As a violinist he had a particular interest in developing the junior string ensembles involved in the camp.
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 3-4 or equivalent
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Thomson String Ensemble
Originally named after Dr. Percy Jones OBE, this ensemble was re-named in 2007 in honour of Mrs Leonie Thomson who was a member of the committee of the State Music Camp for forty years. Leonie has since moved to Queensland and follows the activties of the camp with a keen interest.
- Type: Training String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Preliminary – 2 or equivalent. Ability to read music is essential for this ensemble.
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Johnston String Ensemble
Johnston string ensemble named in memory of Jenny Johnston who was prominent in organising state and national music camps.
- Type: Training String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Preliminary – Gr 3 or equivalent. Ability to read music is essential for this ensemble.
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Britton String Ensemble
Named in honour of Donald Britton, Master of Music at Melbourne Grammar School.
- Type: String Ensemble
- Standard: AMEB Grade 5+
- Rehearsal: 9:00am – 1:00pm
