Lauries Music - The Journey Continues

A musical journey is an important part of life for many students at Lauries. Within each cohort that graduates, we see several students further that journey within different industries. Many remain connected with the Lauries community and we are always delighted to hear the success stories of our alumni. 

To foster the connections, Lauries creates opportunities for our graduates to stay involved, including the annual Old Boys and Community Music program. Lauries welcomes Old Boys and members of the community to participate in a season of rehearsals before performing at St Ignatius Church, Toowong. This year, we showcased the Community Choir, Old Boys String Ensemble, Old Boys Guitar Ensemble and the Old Boys Choir.

This program not only encourages alumni participation but also highlights the ongoing contributions of former students, like 2011 alumnus Dominic Woodhead, who attended Old Boy rehearsals between shows and, in late 2024 met with members of Brotherhood, offering some invaluable insight into the Musical Theatre industry. As conductor of QPAC’s Wicked at the time, Dom coached the ensemble through the musical’s well known ‘Dancing Through Life’ before answering questions on his experience within the industry. Dom has extended his Lauries musical journey, building a successful career as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, musical director and conductor and has worked on many shows including Wicked, Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Muriel’s Wedding.

Another 2011 Old Boy, Jon Copley of JC Music Management, has also remained deeply involved with the Lauries community. Jon is currently collaborating with 2005 alumnus Conrad Sewell on 'Amplify', a workshop for students interested in the business side of the music industry. 'Amplify' will cover both the creative and legal aspects of the industry, including contracts for aspiring musicians. Jon continues to perform as a pianist and guitarist with artists such as Rene Le Feuvre, Conrad Sewell and Delta Goodrem. Additionally, he works closely with 2015 alumnus and former Music Captain Josh Kameus, managing his band August River Band and performing with The Amici Band. 

JC Music Management also represents Conrad Sewell, a renowned singer and songwriter best known for his vocals on Kygo’s 'Firestone' and his chart-topping single 'Start Again'. Conrad has maintained a strong connection with Lauries, working with Treblehood in 2022 on his single '33' from the 'Precious' album. He also surprised students in 2019 with a lunch time performance of 'Firestone' and 'Healing Hands' alongside Matthew Copley.

Matthew Copley, also a Lauries alumnus, has established himself as a highly successful music director and guitarist. He is Delta Goodrem’s creative partner and has played a key role in the music industry, including serving as a music director for The Voice. Other notable Lauries alumni in the music industry include Jake Hill (2013) who has just released a single, ‘She’s Married’ with his band The Wet Whistles, Matthew Kairl (2013) who has recently released his new single, ‘Carry On’ and Tim Allen- Ankins (2014) who is the associate principal French Horn for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

The continued success and involvement of our alumni in the music industry is a testament to the strong foundation laid during their time at Lauries. Through programs like the Old Boys and Community music initiative, Lauries ensures that the bonds formed within the school remain a lifelong connection, fostering a thriving community where graduates not only achieve personal success but also contribute to the growth of others. Whether through mentorship, performances or industry workshops, our alumni continue to inspire and support the next generation of musicians, proving that the Lauries musical journey extends far beyond graduation.