About George Ellis

George Ellis - Australian Conductor

George Ellis is an Australian conductor, composer and orchestrator. He works across a variety of styles including symphonic music, choral, opera, musical theatre, jazz and pop, and has presented concerts conducting in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Boston Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Athens, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and performed in every capital city in Australia.

Classically trained at the doctoral level in Australia and the USA, and experienced in performing pop/rock music, George Ellis has made a career of combining symphony orchestras with popular artists. These include Lou Reed, The Church, Megan Washington, Josh Pyke, Sneaky Sound System, Art vs Science, Human Nature, Augie March, GangGajang, Guy Sebastian, Paulini, David Campbell, John Williamson, Marcia Hines, Alex Lloyd, Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, John Paul Young, Jimmy Little, Troy Casser-Daley, Doug Parkinson, Grace Knight, Jade MacRae, Jeff Duff, Felicity Urqhuart and Don Spencer.

George Ellis conducting for a concert with Caroline O'Connor at City Recital Hall
George Ellis conducting for a concert with Caroline O’Connor at City Recital Hall

George’s career has included Olympic opening ceremonies, Arts and cultural Festivals, opening nights, ARIA Awards, and sporting finals such as the NRL & Davis Cup. You can read about them here: Career Highlights. But there’s more to George Ellis than his work on the big stage – he also loves working in Conducting, Composition and Film, Orchestrating and Arranging, Music Theatre and Opera, Education Concerts, and with the George Ellis Orchestra.

Archibald Portrait

Archibald 2007: By Evert Ploeg
Archibald 2007: By Evert Ploeg

This portrait of George Ellis, by acclaimed artist Evert Ploeg, was hung at the NSW Art Gallery as finalist in the 2007 Archibald Prize and won the People’s Choice award in Sydney and Melbourne for that year. Subjects are chosen for their contribution to art, letters, science or politics.

George Ellis provides services including Conducting, Composition and Film, Orchestrating and Arranging, Music Theatre and Opera, Education Concerts, and the George Ellis Orchestra. Please follow the links for more information.

Career Highlights

  • Conducting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games
  • Working with Lou Reed at the Sydney Festival
  • Performing for Hans Zimmer on a national orchestral tour
  • Composing music for Bruce Beresford’s film Ladies In Black
  • Composing a new orchestral story, Mimi’s Symphony, in collaboration with celebrated performer Justine Clarke

Professional Experience

Special Events
  • Sydney Olympic Games 2000 – Opening Ceremony: Sydney Symphony Orchestra
  • Sydney Olympic Games 2000 – Closing Ceremony: Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Millennium Choir
  • Athens Olympic Games 2004 – Opening Ceremony: Millennium Choir
  • Jakarta Arts Festival 2008 – Beethoven Symphony No.9
  • Sydney Festival 2007 – Berlin with Lou Reed: State Theatre
  • Sydney Festival 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 – Opening Night, Hyde Park 
  • Sydney Festival 2020 – Sydney Rococo with Steve Kilbey: George Ellis Orchestra
  • Commonwealth Day Concert for Queen Elizabeth II – with Anthony Callea and the George Ellis Orchestra 
  • ARIA Awards – Art vs Science and Amiel, 2005, 2011: The George Ellis Orchestra
  • Greek Festival of Sydney 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 – Orchestral concerts: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin
  • Australia Day NSW Premier’s Concert 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011– collaborations with Alex Lloyd, David Campbell, GangGagang, Deborah Conway, Casey Donovan, Sneaky Sound System: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • NSW Premier’s Department Official Welcome of the Australian Paralympic Team: Martin Place Sydney, the George Ellis Orchestra
  • The Magic of Disney – Verge Arts Festival, Great Hall, Sydney University
  • Lost Picnic 2018 – Beatles Orchestrated: The Domain, Sydney
  • Crave International Food Festival – Breakfast In Bondi, Lorina Gore soprano: Bondi Beach
  • NRL Grand Final Pre-Match Entertainment 1999, 2011, 2019 – with Hugh Jackman, Kelly Clarkson, One Republic: Olympic Stadium, Sydney
  • NRL Grand Final Pre-Match Entertainment 2021 – Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator for Kate Miller-Heidke and Ian Moss: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
  • The Lights of Christmas 2014, 2015, 2016 – St Mary’s Cathedral façade: new composition The Light
  • Dungog Festival 2015 – ‘Dungog Composed’ commissioned to compose original piece The Spirit of Dungog
  • National Rugby League Hall of Fame 2019 and Season Launch with Christine Anu 2020 
  • Enliven Festival 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 – Canberra Symphony Orchestra celebrating the music of ABBA, Queen, The Bee Gees and Fleetwood Mac: Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Canberra
  • Floriade Festival 2018 – Canberra Symphony Orchestra celebration the music of David Bowie: Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, Canberra
  • HICES Music Festival 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 – Guest Conductor of Festival Orchestra: music of Shostakovich, Rimsky Korsakov and Brahms
Classical Orchestral Concerts
  • Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra – Guest Conductor: 10th Anniversary Celebration, Kuala Lumpur
  • Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra – Guest Conductor: Symphonic Variations by Cesar Franck, Hobart
  • Hooked On Classics – Orchestral Music Director: Sydney Opera House, Hamer Hall Melbourne, Adelaide Festival Theatre, Canberra Theatre
  • Violin Concerto by Matthew Hindson, World Premiere: Sydney Youth Orchestra: Live national broadcast on ABC Radio
  • ‘Nessun Dorma’ from Turandot by Puccini and other opera symphonic classics – An Evening with David Hobson: Sydney Opera House
  • Sydney Conservatorium of Music Orchestra – Symphony of Psalms Stravinsky, Ballet Suite no.1 Shostakovich, Small Town, Peter Sculthorpe: Verbrugghen Hall
  • Sydney University Symphony Orchestra – Symphony no.1 Mahler, Carmina Burana Carl Orff, Rhapsody In Blue Gershwin, Symphony no.8 Dvorak, Unfinished Symphony Schubert, Piano Concerto no.1 Beethoven, Piano Concerto no.21 Mozart: Great Hall, Sydney University
  • War Requiem Britten – Great Hall University of Newcastle: Conductor of Chamber Orchestra
Popular Music Orchestral Concerts
  • Hans Zimmer concerts – Hans Zimmer Live tour, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth 
  • Caroline O’Connor – From Broadway With Love, City Recital Hall, Sydney
  • Augie March – West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Kings Park, Perth
  • The Church – A Psychedelic Symphony, 30th Anniversary Concert: Sydney Opera House
  • The Beatles Orchestrated, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth 
  • David Bowie Orchestrated, Canberra, Hunter Valley 
  • ABBA Orchestrated, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra 
  • ACDC Orchestrated, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth
  • Queen Orchestrated, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
  • Fleetwood Mac Orchestrated, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
  • The Bee Gees Orchestrated, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
  • George Michael Orchestrated, The Concourse Sydney
  • Roy Orbison Orchestrated, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth
  • John Williamson, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
  • The Hits of the Crooners, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane
  • Disco Orchestrated, Sydney Opera House
  • Love Will Steer the Stars – 50th anniversary of the music from 1969, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
  • Distant Worlds Final Fantasy Orchestrated, International Convention Centre, Sydney, the George Ellis Orchestra
  • Children’s Book Council of Australia – National Conference Tribute to Bob Graham 2011, Tribute to Julia Vivas 2016: The George Ellis Orchestra
Film work
  • Mao’s Last Dancer 2008 – Directed by Bruce Beresford: on-screen conductor for performance of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring
  • Ladies In Black 2018 – Directed by Bruce Beresford: composer, on-set musical supervisor and on-screen conductor, recorded Kate Miller-Heidke for soundtrack
  • Gang Dao 2014 – Soundtrack orchestral recording: Trackdown Studios Sydney
  • The Tower of Dragua 2016 – Soundtrack orchestral recording: Trackdown Studios Sydney
  • Frank­ 2013 – First Prize Northern Beaches Short Film Festival: Composer
Television work
  • Ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II – ABC TV, live national broadcast: The Prayer performed by Anthony Callea and the George Ellis Orchestra
  • The Justine Clarke Show – ABC TV, Guest Conductor
  • The Today Show – Channel 9, Sydney Opera House Proms Orchestra: Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba, Handel
  • The Midday Show – Channel 9, Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, Mozart: Sydney Opera House Chamber Orchestra
  • Sunrise – Channel 7, Beatles Orchestrated, Here Comes the Sun and Crocodile Rock: The Big G Orchestra
  • The Bachelor – Channel 10, Series 2 Episode at Palm Beach: the George Ellis Orchestra
Compositions and Commissions
  • Swinging in E Minor – composed for the film Ladies In Black directed by Bruce Beresford
  • Pop Mass – received first prize in the Sydney Eisteddfod: premiered at the University of Colorado
  • Celebration Overture – composed for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra’s 10th Anniversary: Kuala Lumpur
  • The Light – composed for The Lights of Christmas: AGB Events, St Mary’s Cathedral facade
  • The Australian Accord – composed for the Australia Day Premier’s concert: Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Matters of Consequence – composed for graduating recital at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music: Tom Mann Theatre, Sydney
Orchestrations and Orchestral Arrangements
  • Josh Pyke – Sydney Symphony Orchestra live performance and recording
  • Steve Kilbey – Sydney Rococo recording: George Ellis String Orchestra
  • Megan Washington – Sydney Conservatorium of Music String Orchestra
  • Kate Miller-Heidke – Ladies In Black jazz song arrangements
  • Alex Lloyd – Orchestral and choral arrangements for album Distant Light
  • Fox Test Cricket Theme composed by Steve Balbi – orchestral arrangement for Foxtel TV
  • Caroline O’Connor – From Broadway With Love
  • The Church – A Psychedelic Symphony
  • The Beatles Orchestrated
  • David Bowie Orchestrated
  • ABBA Orchestrated
  • ACDC Orchestrated
  • Queen Orchestrated
  • Fleetwood Mac Orchestrated
  • The Bee Gees Orchestrated
  • George Michael Orchestrated
  • Roy Orbison Orchestrated
  • The Hits of the Crooners
  • Disco Hits Orchestrated
  • Love Will Steer the Stars – The Music from 1969
Musical Theatre
  • Man of La Mancha – Associate Conductor: Gordon Frost Organisation, Capitol Theatre Sydney and State Theatre Melbourne
  • The Secret Garden – Assistant Conductor: State Theatre Melbourne
  • The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie – Musical Director: Belvoir Street Theatre, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth
  • Sugar (Some Like It Hot) – Musical Director: The Production Company, Melbourne
  • Into the Woods and Guys and Dolls – Musical Director: The Wesley Institute
  • West Side Story – Musical Director: Rockdale Musical Society
Opera
  • La Traviata, Verdi – Opera Australia: Assistant Conductor to Simone Young: Sydney Opera House
  • Candide, Bernstein – Opera Australia for Sydney Festival: Assistant Conductor
  • Little Women, Mark Adamo – Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Conductor
  • Somewhere Between the Sky and the Sea, Sophie Spago – Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Conductor
Education Concerts – new original shows
  • Mimi’s Symphony – story by Justine Clarke, music by George Ellis: City Recital Hall, Sydney and Melbourne Recital Centre
  • The Conductor and the Clown – written with George Washingmachine: premiered at Sydney Opera House
  • The Maestro and the Magician (sequel to The Conductor and the Clown) – written with George Washingmachine: Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, The Concourse, Riverside Theatre Parramatta, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Musical Superheroes – Not Supergirl – Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Babies Proms series – Sydney Opera House: Musical Director from 2002 to 2010
  • Mozart Versus Beethoven – written with Guy Noble: Llewellyn Hall, ANU School of Music, The Concourse, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • A Musical Theatre Journey Through the Orchestra as part of the Mini Maestros series – Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, The Concourse
  • Beatles Orchestrated for Kids – City Recital Hall Sydney, the Beatle Boys and George Ellis Orchestra
  • Musical Opposites – Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, The Concourse, Penrith Symphony Orchestra, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Tommy and the Magical Bell – as part of the Pops for Tots series, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Big G Goes Outer Space – Sydney Opera House, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Toybox – Sydney Opera House, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
  • Christmas Around the World – Sydney Opera House
Choral Work
  • Choral music arranger – Rumble Studios, Sydney
  • Australian Youth Choir – tours to London, Paris, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amsterdam, The Haig, Brussels, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles
Awards and Recognition
  • First Prize in the Orchestral/Choral section in the Sydney Eisteddfod for Pop Mass
  • People’s Choice award as subject for Archibald Prize portrait by Evert Ploeg          
  • Student of the Year at the Sydney of the Conservatorium of Music

BIOGRAPHY

Read about George Ellis on Wikipedia

George Ellis conducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games 2000. He has since conducted the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kula Lumpur, Queensland Symphony, West Australian Symphony, Orchestra Victoria, Tasmanian and Canberra Symphony Orchestras in concert as Guest Conductor. He is Musical Director of the Australian Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Australian Session Orchestra. With his own George Ellis Orchestra he has given concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Hamer Hall at the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre Brisbane, Adelaide Festival Centre and Perth Concert Hall.

He has conducted for major international festivals and awards ceremonies including the Jakarta Arts Festival, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Perth International Festival Greek Festival of Sydney and the ARIA Awards on national television. He has presented concerts with international icons including Lou Reed and Hans Zimmer. He has given concerts in tours around Europe, USA and South East Asia.

He has conducted for the stage including the operas La Traviata (assistant to Simone Young) for Opera Australia and Little Women for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His Music Theatre credits include the national touring production of Man of La Mancha starring Anthony Warlow and Caroline O’Connor, Sugar – Some Like It Hot for the Production Company Melbourne and The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddliepie for Belvoir Street Theatre.

His composition and film work includes music for the Bruce Beresford films Ladies in Black and An Improbable Collection, commissioned works Celebration Overture for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and The Light for the Lights of Christmas Festival for the City of Sydney. His Pop Mass received first prize in the Composition section of the Sydney Eisteddfod. He has done orchestral arrangements for artists including Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke, Megan Washington, The Church, Steve Kilbey, Art vs Science and Alex Lloyd. He also appeared on screen for the film Mao’s Last Dancer conducting Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

Television appearances including conducting for Queen Elizabeth II on live national television, The Justine Clarke Show for ABC TV, the ARIA Awards as well as numerous appearances on Sunrise, the Today Show and the Midday Show with various orchestras. He conducted his own George Ellis Orchestra for an episode of The Bachelor.

He was the Musical Director of the Education Proms concerts at the Sydney Opera House for ten years and has presented many concerts for young audiences at City Recital Hall, Angel Place, including Peter and the Wolf with Murray Cook, The Conductor and the Clown with George Washingmachine and Beatles Orchestrated for Kids. His new creation Mimi’s Symphony, written with celebrated performer Justine Clarke, received its world premiere at City Recital Hall, Sydney, before touring Australia.

Since 2020, the George Ellis Orchestra has performed around Australia for Metropolis Touring – presenting the orchestrated music of Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, George Michael, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Beatles and Metallica in venues including the State Theatre in Sydney, Palais Theatre in Melbourne and Adelaide Festival Theatre.

In 2021, George Ellis arranged the music and was Musical Director of the NRL Grand Final entertainment at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – where he worked with Ian Moss, from Cold Chisel, and Kate Miller-Heidke.

In 2022, he conducted Australian singer/songwriter Lior in a concert with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra featuring his latest compositions. Recently, he conducted the world premiere of Elena Kats-Chernin’s new piano concerto entitled Force Majeur with international soloist Lisa Moore and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra. He also recently premiered new orchestral works by composers Nardi Simpson, Troy Russell and Amelia Thompson with the New Music Ensemble at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music – where he lectures in Conducting and Composition. This is after performing Fantasia, the orchestral music to the famous Disney movie, and Beatles Orchestrated concerts around the country.

A portrait of George Ellis by artist Evert Ploeg received the People Choice Award for the Archibald Prize in 2007.