About

The Ensemble

Based in the City of Charles Sturt, the Woodville Concert Band (WCB) is a volunteer-based, not for-profit active ensemble with a diverse repertoire that stretches from big-band jazz to classical, through to film and game music.

Our motto, “Music played for the community, by the community”, encapsulates our vison and how we benefit our community. To turn our vision into reality, we are guided by four strategic pillars that underpin how we operate.

We promote music education and make music accessible to all by:

  • Keeping costs as low as possible for both our audience and band members
  • Providing access to instruments and music to school children
  • Maintaining active liaison with Woodville High School and cultural institutions in the area

We provide a safe and inclusive space for our members to grow and thrive (as musicians and in the community) by:

  • Empowering each member to explore what works best for them to learn (in particular for our members living with disabilities)
  • Accommodating for our members’ diverse needs and learning styles by striving for equity and always acting in kindness
  • Encouraging participation and collaboration to enhance and bolster social and mental wellbeing

We bring our diverse community together, building belonging through music by:

  • Engaging 8,000 to 9,000 members of our community per year
  • Encouraging and strengthening connections amongst our community, in particular through our involvement at community events such as citizenship and ANZAC ceremonies
  • Supporting local businesses and creatives through partnerships and commissions

We have a unique cultural offering and form a distinctive feature of the cultural scene in the Western suburbs by:

  • Delivering strong performances that keep our City on the forefront of the symphonic musical scene in Adelaide
  • Championing our City as a centre for high-quality community-led cultural events

Our People

Artistic Director

Dr Nathan Cummins

Artistic Director Dr Nathan Cummins holding his baton in an outstretched arm while smiling.
Photo courtesy of Tommy Woods Photography.

Nathan Cummins is an award-winning composer, orchestrator, conductor, and performer, based in Adelaide, South Australia. He specialises in crafted orchestration for video games, film, and television with a focus on live and vibrant textures across multiple genres and mediums. His original works have been performed by ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, the Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra, and the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, and his orchestrations have been used in concerts and recording sessions throughout the world.

Nathan’s research interests include accessible forms of music performance using virtual reality technologies and he was awarded his Doctor of Philosophy in Sonic Arts and Music Composition from the Elder Conservatorium of Music in 2021. Previously, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Composition) with First Class Honours, studying under Graeme Koehne, John Polglaise, Charles Bodman Rae, and Luke Harrald.

Nathan is an active member of the Adelaide music scene and is amongst Australia’s leading directors, arrangers, and organisers for concerts involving music related to video games. As a player of many different instruments, he has instrumental residencies in ensembles of various genres and has appeared as a session musician on many studio recordings. He is the Artistic Director of the Woodville Concert Band.

Find out more about Nathan at his website.

A note from Nathan

One of the most important things about a good band is their attitude towards their music. Until joining the Woodville Concert Band, I never had the privilege to be involved in a band that’s so enthusiastic and welcoming, and I am very grateful to be a part of it.

I hope to take the band to new heights, and bring out the best in each of our musicians.