Legendary conductor Doug Heywood OAM in the audience at today’s Echuca Federal Band 170th anniversary extravaganza in the Hopwood Gardens.
Photo by
Andrew Mole
There was a seriously famous music face in the crowd at today’s Echuca Federal Band 170th anniversary extravaganza at Hopwood Gardens.
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Doug Heywood OAM – universally known as Uncle Doug to millions of TV viewers – has been choral director for the Nine Network's Christmas Eve national television production of Carols by Candlelight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne since 1988.
The annual scene at the Myer Music Bowl and the Carols by Candlelight, where Doug Heywood always conducts Handel’s Messiah.
Photo by
Supplied
The choral conductor, music educator and music director has been musical director of the Camberwell Chorale for more than 50 years, in 1976 he established the Camerata Orchestra and from 1982 until 1991 was musical director of the Caulfield City Choir.
The band extravaganza at Hopwood Gardens today.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
In his spare time, in 1983, Doug also established, as musical director and conductor, the 320-voice Victorian Concert Choir.
A lecturer in music education at the University of Melbourne from 1979 until 1995, Doug maintains his professional career as a conductor while still retaining his involvement in community music.
He has more than 100 major choral and orchestral works in his repertoire including three world premieres.
In 1995 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to music education and community music.
The Camberwell Chorale listed him as conductor for its October 2026 performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah at Hawthorn Arts Centre.
And no Carols by Candlelight would be complete without Doug leading the massed choir in its stirring rendition of Handel’s Messiah.
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