Sydney-based horn player Oliver Harris began playing horn at the age of 8, being taught by his father, a horn player in the NSW Police Band.
From there Oliver attended Balgowlah Boys Campus on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and gained motivation by joining Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO). This is where he had his first orchestral experience at the age of 12, playing the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro.
With a passion for classical music and performance, Oliver undertook his Bachelor of Performance, majoring in horn at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He completed the degree in 2021, and in 2023 began a Master of Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music being taught by Rachel Silver, with the support of the Iremonger Marceau Family Scholarship.
Oliver regularly plays principal horn with the Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra and Wind Symphony, where in 2023 he played principal horn in Bruckner Symphony 4 and Richard Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration. In 2023 he also toured to China with a Brass septet, playing at Conservatoriums in Harbin and Shenyang. Oliver plays with a variety of orchestras throughout Sydney, including the Willoughby Symphony, Southern Cross Symphony, North Sydney Symphony, Balmain Symphony, Sydney Conservatorium ensembles, ModeĢst Orchestra, Apex Ensemble, the NSW Police Band and various chamber ensembles, including the Icaris wind quintet.
Oliver commences his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2024 under the tutelage of Carla Blackwood.
In his spare time, Oliver enjoys playing and watching cricket and soccer, and until 2024 could be found spending time with his mates at the Harbord Bowling Club on a Saturday afternoon.
Oliver is supported by ANAM Syndicate donor Sue Driver.
Photo by Pia Johnson