About

The Ensemble

The Woodville Concert Band is a not-for-profit inclusive ensemble based in Adelaide’s Western suburbs. Our repertoire is wide-ranging, stretching from classical through to film and game music. We exist to promote music education, support musicians of all abilities and bring diverse audiences together through accessible performances.

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

ACCESS & INCLUSION

Music for everyone

We believe great music should be affordable, engaging and open to all, from a child hearing their first symphonic concert to emerging and lifelong musicians continuing to learn, perform and share their craft. We work to remove financial, physical and social barriers so everyone can participate, on stage or in the audience.

We promote music education and accessibility by

  • keeping costs as low as possible for both our audience and band members
  • providing access to instruments and music to children
  • maintaining active liaison with schools, including Woodville High School, and local cultural institutions, especially libraries

BELONGING & GROWTH

A place for musicians to learn, connect and thrive

We are an ensemble where musicians of all abilities, backgrounds and learning styles are supported to contribute and grow, both musically and personally. We value social connection and see the ensemble as a community, not just a group of people who come together for rehearsal

We provide a safe and inclusive space for our members to thrive by

  • supporting lifelong musical learning and empowering each member to explore approaches that work best for them, including our members living with disabilities
  • accommodating 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.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Music that brings people together

We exist for and with our community, using music to bring people together, strengthen connections, mark shared moments and create experiences that resonate beyond the concert hall.

We build belonging through music by

  • engaging 8,000 to 9,000 people a year
  • participating in key community events such as citizenship and ANZAC ceremonies
  • supporting local businesses and creatives through partnerships and commissions

ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

Ambitious, community-led music

We play with purpose: we champion high-quality music-making, offering bold, diverse performances that celebrate local creativity. Striving for excellence is achieved by remaining collaborative, inclusive and grounded in kindness, always.

We contribute a distinctive cultural offering by

  • delivering sophisticated multi-layered shows that stretch the boundaries of wind ensemble performances, especially through the inclusion of visual arts and poetry
  • championing the Western suburbs as a centre for high-quality community-led cultural events
  • showcasing a broad stylistic range, including a recognised focus on video game music
  • actively supporting local composers, creatives and cultural partners

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.