Peter Luff is one of Australia’s most respected horn players, educators, and conductors, with a distinguished career spanning performance, teaching, and artistic leadership. He served for 25 years as Associate Professor at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (QCGU), where he mentored generations of horn students, many of whom now hold permanent positions in leading national and international orchestras and teaching institutions.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Music Performance (Honours) from the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide and a Master’s degree in Conducting from Griffith University. He currently serves as President of the International Horn Society, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing horn performance, education, and international collaboration.
As a performer, Peter was formerly Associate Principal Horn with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and regularly appears with many of Australia’s and the region’s premier ensembles, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He was a founding member and solo horn of the acclaimed chamber ensembles Ensemble Q and Southern Cross Soloists, the latter touring extensively throughout North America and Asia. His playing on recordings and broadcasts for ABC Classic and 4MBS FM, along with solo recital appearances across the United States, Europe, and Asia, have further established his international profile.
Peter is also a highly regarded conductor, having led major orchestral, operatic, and ballet productions with organisations including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and Opera Queensland. He has held prominent roles at QCGU as Head of Brass and Deputy Director and remains active in community music as a band director having conducted the Brisbane Excelsior Band, Brisbane Brass, and the Footscray Yarraville City Band.
Through his multifaceted career, Peter Luff continues to shape and strengthen Australia’s horn playing and wider music communities through performance, education, and leadership.
Photo by Pia Johnson