From Riverina Concert Band
BAND CONDUCTOR’S CV CRAIG WALTON
Craig Walton has approximately twenty years of teaching experience in both the ACT and the Wagga Wagga region. Craig initially became interested in music when, as a student he joined the school band in Melbourne on tenor saxophone. Later his family moved to Canberra where he continued his musical studies and completed his secondary education.
In 1987 Craig undertook tertiary studies at the Canberra School of Music {Australian National University}, on clarinet, which he completed in 1992. During this time Craig taught at Canberra Grammar School, as well as other schools in the region, and also performed with various music societies in the ACT such as Canberra Youth Orchestra, Canberra Wind Ensemble, Canberra Philharmonic Society, Canberra Symphony and the Canberra School of Music Orchestra. After completing his tertiary studies in 1992 Craig accepted a position as a clarinet/saxophone teacher at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga, {a position he still holds}.
During his time in Wagga Craig has built up and maintained a large and successful teaching studio, with a particular interest in directing ensembles. Craig has run instrumental groups at most of the schools that he has taught at, and some of the groups that he established at the conservatorium have become quite well known in the community. In 1997 Craig set up a clarinet ensemble called the ‘Licorice Allsorts’, who performed regularly around Wagga and the Riverina for a couple of years. In 2000 Craig also formed the group ‘Sax Appeal’,who cut its own CD in 2002 and also ran a very successful Dinner Show in early 2004.
In 2002 Craig was appointed the Musical Director for the rock opera ‘Grunge MacBeth’. This production involved the three state high schools in Wagga, {Kooringal High, Mt Austin High and Wagga High}, working closely together for about six months, before doing performances in Wagga, Canberra and Sydney. Craig has also conducted a few concert and jazz bands in Wagga.
In 2004 Craig directed the Stage Band ‘Black Orpheus, who were primarily made up of old Sax Appeal members, and in 2005 Craig conducted all the bands of the ‘Combined Catholic Schools Instrumental Music Program, {3 concert bands and 1 stage band}.
Currently Craig conducts both the Kooringal Primary Junior Band and the Riverina Anglican College Jazz Band, and is the Music Director of the Riverina Concert Band.
