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. See below for a more detailed story of the National Folk Festival Bush Orchestra.

 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 successful assembly of the HBO at Kiama was in January 2026  in Kiama
There were 33 musicians playing - violins, flutes, recorders, whistles, mandolins, a concertina and a clarinet,
backed up with cellos, basses, a tuba, a guitar and an underpinning piano. 

After a session playing through the arrangements then a cup of tea, we played through again and recorded the overall sound.

These are available here for download/ listening.

Annie Shaw's WaltzBill McGlashan's PolkasBlack RockBoxers Creek Reel
Ernie James' Schottische

Geese in the BogJill Ireland's JigListen to the Voice of Love


And the future...


The assemblies have continued on a bimonthly basis. If you would care to join us or to find out more contact our organiser, Wayne Millar.

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 new EXTRA No 1 is the full score with all 4 parts. I hope music makes you smile too!

First  PartsSecond PartsThird PartsBass PartsFull ScoresExtra No 1Extra No 2Extra No 3

Contact Wayne Millar to register your interest


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. James Johnson and David Johnson (son and father team) took it on in 2012. Then from 2013 to 2023 David continued with the arrangements and conducting 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 a 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!

Since 2024 David has been hosting a camp on his property at Penrose over Easter and enjoying music with some 40 assembled musicians.


Videos on Bush Traditions YouTube Channel

Videos from 2022, 2016 and 2014
 

Earlier Arrangements of Tunes in Parts

2012-19 Music Available