St Marys Band Club, Sydney, Australia has announced that the Australasian Band Conductors (ABC) scholarship for 2010 has been awarded to Matthew Van Emmerik.

Tuition and Workshops

Director, Mr. Ken Bradley, informed 4BRDU in December 2009 that: “St Marys Band Club has offered a one year Australasian Band Conductors scholarship commencing in 2010 with the winning ‘ABC scholar’ to receive conducting tuition and performance educational workshops with both the music advisor to St Marys Band Club, Professor David King and Dr. Roy Newsome (Conductor Laureate — University of Salford) who’s visit to Sydney in June 2010 will be hosted by St Marys Band Club”.

Nine Applicants

Of the nine applicants, five conducting candidates were short listed for the St Marys ABC scholarship and were each auditioned and interviewed by Music Advisor Professor David King and St Marys Board Director Mr. Ken Bradley.

The candidates included Sydney based conductors Jonathan Gatt, Anthony Timmins, Queensland representative Ben Crocker, and the winner Matthew Van Emmerik.

Convincing

Matthew provided a convincing audition and interview which unveiled his growing stature as a developing conductor with excellent leadership qualities.Ken Bradley, Director St Marys Band Club

"Matthew provided a convincing audition and interview which unveiled his growing stature as a developing conductor with excellent leadership qualities," said Ken Bradley, Director — St Marys Band Club.

Immediate Effect

Matthew commences as the newly appointed St Marys ABC scholar with immediate effect and along with his scholarship has been offered a residency with the St Marys Band and membership and access to the state-of-the-art facilities owned and operated by St Marys Band Club in Western Sydney.

Pictured L to R: Mr. Robert Pearce (St Marys Band Club Band President), ABC Scholar Matt Van Emmerik, Mr. Ken Bradley (St Marys Band Club — Director)