The Orchestra Project

Meet Robert Johnson.

Robert studied French horn at the NSW Conservatorium of Music and went on to build a distinguished career as one of Australia’s leading orchestral horn players. After serving as Principal Horn with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia Orchestra, he was appointed Principal Horn of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1986, a position he held until 2017.

During his time with the SSO, Robert appeared as soloist in works by Mozart, Richard Strauss, Britten and Ross Edwards, and premiered Christopher Gordon’s horn concerto Lightfall in 2009. He also performed in the orchestra’s first presentation of Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars, and has appeared as guest principal with major orchestras across Australia and New Zealand.

Alongside his orchestral career, Robert has been an active chamber musician and dedicated educator, teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium and Canberra School of Music, and appearing as Artist in Residence across Australia and internationally.

Beyond the horn, he is also a countertenor, performing Medieval and Renaissance repertoire, and has conducted ensembles drawn from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Meet Max McBride, our Principal Double Bassist.

One of Australia’s most respected musicians, Max has built a distinguished career as a conductor, educator, and performer across the concert stage and theatre.

Following his return to Australia in 1979, Max began his conducting career with the ABC, going on to work with orchestras across Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. He has also conducted with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, as well as leading opera productions for Victoria State Opera and Australian Opera, and large-scale choral works with Sydney Philharmonia and the Canberra Choral Society.

A passionate educator, Max served as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Double Bass and Conducting at the Canberra School of Music for over 15 years. He later became Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Youth Orchestra (2009–2014), and Chief Conductor of the Canberra Youth Orchestra (1992–2010), leading major performances of works by Mahler, Saint-Saëns, and alongside premieres by leading Australian composers.

More recently, Max has played a central role in revitalising orchestral music at the ANU School of Music, conducting the ANU Orchestra in its acclaimed debut at Llewellyn Hall.