Born in Perth in 1961, Bruce Gillam grew up in a family where music was a central part of everyday life.
He began learning piano from his mother before discovering a passion for the clarinet. During his teenage years, he studied with renowned clarinet teacher Ted Lewis and was awarded his AMusA diploma in 1979.
The 1980s marked an exciting and formative period in Bruce’s musical journey. While completing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physics, he studied with legendary clarinettist Alan Rule and served for three years as Principal Clarinet with the WA Youth Orchestra. He then successfully auditioned for the WA Arts Orchestra, performing professionally with this ensemble for six years.
In 1984, Bruce was named a State Winner of the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition, performing Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has enjoyed a long and varied freelance career, performing with orchestras and ensembles in concerts, musicals, and major choral works.
Bruce joined the West Australian Clarinet Quartet in 2010. The ensemble enjoyed considerable success, including an invitation to perform at the International Clarinet Association Conference in Assisi, Italy, in 2013. The quartet also recorded a recital for ABC Classic FM in the Perth Town Hall.
Alongside his performing career, teaching has been one of Bruce’s greatest passions. Since 1984, he has taught clarinet in government schools across the Perth metropolitan area, inspiring generations of young musicians.
Many of his former students have gone on to become music teachers and professional performers:
NOTABLE STUDENTS TAUGHT BY BRUCE GILLAM:
Catherine Cahill – Clarinet Teacher at Churchlands Senior High School
Jacqui Edwick – Coordinator of Woodwind Teaching, Instrumental Music School Services
Ashley Smith – Chair of Woodwind and Contemporary Performance UWA
Alex Roberts – Clarinettist with Welsh National Opera Orchestra
Tania Swan – CASSWA committee member
Chris Foster – Jazz pianist
Scott Collinson – Clarinettist with Australian Army Band, Canberra
Nicole Niewendijk – Clarinet Teacher, Instrumental Music School Services
Samantha Lillis – Clarinet Teacher, Instrumental Music School Services
Michael Hodgkins – Clarinettist with Fremantle Symphony Orchestra
Ashleigh Hill – Secretary WA Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Kristy Hopkins – Clarinet Teacher St Marks Anglican Community School
Bronwyn Rogers – Clarinet Teacher Corpus Christi College
Vicki Powell – Clarinet Teacher Instrumental Music School Services
Amanda Noordzy – Clarinet teacher Instrumental Music School Services
Bruce is also a respected author and educator. He has written and published several successful music education resources, including the popular See, Hear, Sing and Play series, written as a project for a Master of Music Education degree, the Roundabout series, which sold more than 20,000 copies, and Trendy Trios, a collection of accessible and enjoyable pieces for beginner clarinet students.
Today, Bruce continues to share his love of music through performing, teaching, and writing, helping musicians of all ages develop their skills and appreciation of the clarinet.
Bruce Gillam
BSc, MEd, AMusA, ATCL
Bruce said of Jack Harrison:
Although I never had formal lessons with your father, he did tutor me at many camps and youth orchestra sectional rehearsals.
At my first May camp I had never played in an orchestra before, and I was really floundering, especially with dynamics.
Jack came up to me and gave a special piece of advice, which I have never forgotten.
He said “Always play at a dynamic level that can be heard by the conductor. If the conductor tells you to quieten down you’ve won!”