Laurie started his musical life sometime last century as a junior in brass bands in western Sydney.
This led to a baptism by fire after he was rapidly promoted to the cornet ranks in St. Mary’s Band, at the time one of Sydney’s better A grade contesting bands.
Over the following years Laurie played with St. Mary’s Band and a number of other western Sydney bands in competitions across the country and in the U.K. At the same time Laurie performed with a variety of pit orchestras, community orchestras and small brass ensembles.
Laurie escaped Sydney in 1985, and quickly found himself playing in local orchestras, swing bands and community concert bands. With a strong interest in conducting, Laurie took on the role of conductor of the Northern Rivers Concert Band.
After a lifetime of community music making, Laurie shifted his attention to commercial music making, and was a founding member of two well known local bands, ‘Soul’d’, and ‘The Well Swung Daddies’.
Laurie joined the Lismore Symphony Orchestra on Trumpet in 2004. Laurie is currently the longest serving brass player in the Orchestra, has served on the committee, and has filled the first, second and third trumpet chair at various times. In the early days of the orchestra he even doubled French horn parts on Flugel horn!
When not playing with the orchestra, Laurie continues his passion for conducting as Musical director of Ballina Shire Concert Band, Motorcycling and regular visits to Canada.
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