The Heritage Bush Orchestra
The Heritage Bush Orchestra is an exciting revisiting of the work done previously as a significant part of the National Folk Festival in Canberra from 2012 to 2023. This experience exposed many musicians and audiences to possibilities beyond simply playing old bush dance tunes and contemporary tunes in unison. The music, though not extravagantly complex, explores the nuances of the tunes with different voices.
NOW
the Heritage Bush Orchestra is operating under the banner of AUSDAM (Australian Social Dance and Music Inc) with the aim of exploring such music arrangements in the context of social dance, perhaps even for a Heritage Ball down the track.
The first assembly of the HBO will be at Kiama on Saturday 31st January 2026 1-4pm
at The Catholic Parish Hall, 92 - 96 Manning Street, Kiama
A series of such assemblies is being planned so you might like to let our organiser know your contact details if he hasn't got them already.
The music is available for download using the buttons below. Second, Third and Bass Parts also include the First Parts to help with coordinating playing.
The National Folk Festival Bush Orchestra
The National Folk Festival Bush Orchestra was initiated by Graham McDonald as a way of exploring collected dance tunes through simple arrangements. He passed the baton on to Greg O'Leary who similarly arranged and taught some tunes. My son James and I took it on in 2012. From 2013 to 2023 I have done the arrangements and conducted the orchestra.
Based on personal and written feedback the Festival Bush Orchestra has been an important part of the National Folk Festival, one of the participatory events that distinguish the NFF from other music festivals.
Taking my definition of an entertainment hour as an hour of musical participation/ entertainment for a festival goer. Over the last 10 Nationals the Festival Bush Orchestra has contributed an hour of rehearsal each day for an average of 50 musicians plus a 45 minute concert with an audience of 100 which adds up to 2105 entertainment hours! AND this without request for a fee!
Despite this long standing contribution to the Festival over many years the AD rejected the 2024 application.
SO rejected but not dejected I have been hosting a camp on my property over Easter since 2024 and enjoying music with some 40 musicians.
Videos on Bush Traditions YouTube Channel
Videos from 2022, 2016 and 2014
Earlier Arrangements of Tunes in Parts
