Garry Clark

Garry graduated from high school in 1986 with strong instrumental performance credentials and spent the next five years playing clarinet with the Royal Australian Air Force Command Band. He studied clarinet with Graeme Chapman (Sydney Conservatorium), Mark Walton (Sydney Conservatorium) and Terence Stirzaker (Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra).

Garry's skills have taken him to the highest levels of success in state and national competition. He was Open Alto Saxophone Champion at the 2005, 2004 and 2003 NSW State Solo Championships. He was Champion of Champions at the Open Woodwind NSW State Solo Championships in 2005 and 2003. He has played Clarinet, Bass Clarinet and Contra-Bass Clarinet with the Australian Wind Orchestra and the Sydney Wind Orchestra. He has toured with these groups across Australia and to the USA, having performed in New York's Carnegie Hall and at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Conference. Garry currently leads the saxophone section of the City of Sydney Wind Ensemble which won the National Open A Grade Championship in 2004.

Garry is a member of the Australian Band and Orchestra Director's Association having been NSW President between 1992 and 1999 and National President between 1993 and 1996. He has been a member of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles since 1998 and a Board Member of the Asia and Pacific Band Director's Association since 1997.

Garry has been Staff Associate Conductor and Manager for the Jerry Nowak Conducting Summer School since 1995 and has lectured in conducting for the Australian Society of Music Educators.

Garry continues to demonstrate his commitment to the development of instrumental music at a community level.  He performs regularly with The Occasional Performing Symphonia, a Western Sydney based community orchestra and he plays with various ensembles, orchestras, musical societies and concert bands across Sydney.

In addition to his leadership of the Blue Mountains Concert Band, Garry is Musical Director and Conductor for the Band of the Hills Music Academy. He is Director of Bands at Crestwood Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School and Kings Langley Public School. He teaches clarinet and saxophone at The Hills Grammar School and Gilroy College.

Garry is married with a young family and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Teaching degree at the University of New England.