Meet our Conductors
Dr. Andrew Mathers
Conductor - Southern Area Concert Band
Andrew grew up in a family of musicians, where both his parents were singers. Andrew admits "failed attempts at piano and guitar" but he played several other instruments and developed an interest in conducting during his high school years. Andrew's tertiary education began with a Bachelor of Education in music from the Melbourne College of Advanced Education. He then traveled to the United States to pursue a Master of Music Education degree in instrumental conducting at Florida State University. While studying there, he trained under James Croft and Rodney Eichenberger, focusing on instrumental and choral conducting, respectively. Upon his return to Australia, Andrew pursued his passion for music further and earned a Ph.D. from Monash University. In addition to lecturing in Conducting and Applied Music at Monash University, he taught as an adjunct faculty member at the School of Music - Conservatorium. Andrew is currently Head of Ensemble Music at St Kevin's College, Melbourne.
Catherine Bates
Conductor - Southern Area Wind Band
A classroom and instrumental music teacher for over a decade, including with stints as Director of Music or Head of Instrumental Music at various schools, Catherine has a passion for conducting and is thrilled to have the post of Southern Area Wind Band Conductor.
Catherine has experience conducting many school instrumental and vocal ensembles at a wide range of schools, including Trinity College Colac, Nhill P-12 College, Firbank Grammar School, St Helena Secondary College and McKinnon Secondary College. She absolutely loves community music-making, acting as Musical Director for well-regarded community theatre groups such as Horsham Arts Council and Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria, Vocal Director of Piggery Lane Players (Nhill), and conductor of Sing Australia – Nhill.
At the start of 2026, Catherine took up a position at Beaconhills College, where she is teaching woodwind, leads one of the Grade 5 Band Program ensembles, and spends time in the junior classrooms teaching prep - 3 drama and dance. She is a committee member of Australian Choral Conductors’ Education and Training, and, in her spare time, in addition to treading the boards with various community theatre groups, enjoys playing netball as a goal keeper, being tall and somewhat lazy when it comes to running!
Drew Wright
Leader - Southern Stars Stage Band
Drew Wright assumed the position of SSSB Leader in 2018 when his father, Darryn Wright, who was previously the Musical Director, passed away. Drew has been interested in music since he was five, starting with the piano and the flute two years later. However, his love for jazz and big band music was sparked when he learned to play the saxophone at thirteen. Drew has played the tenor and baritone saxophone in various big and jazz bands, performing in some of Melbourne's premier venues and festivals. He has also played the woodwinds in pit orchestras for numerous musical theater productions.
In 2012, Drew founded "Willow Jam," a souls/blues band that performs at weddings and corporate functions in Melbourne and Victoria. With his passion for big band jazz music, Drew plans to take the SSSB to new heights, hoping to make it one of Victoria's top community big bands. His aim is to elevate the group's profile and showcase the beauty of big band jazz to a wider audience.
Our Committee
The band's committee is responsible for behind-the-scenes administration and organisation of the band, performances and other activities.
Committee members are elected each year at the AGM around April.
