2026 Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellow

Meet Oliver Stark

Oliver Stark is an Australian conductor, euphonium player, and educator based in Chicago. He is currently completing a Master of Music in Wind Conducting at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, studying with Dr. Robert Taylor, Dr. Shawn Vondran, and Mr. Daniel J. Farris. He previously earned a Master of Music in Euphonium Performance at Bienen under Gene Pokorny and Matthew Gaunt, following his Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Australia. Stark currently serves as a Graduate Assistant for Northwestern’s Department of Bands. In this role, Stark works with the Northwestern Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and ‘Wildcat’ Marching Band. He is the founder of the Chicago Wind Collective, and Musical Director of the Chicago Brass Choir. Stark was previously founder and conductor of Western Australia’s first youth brass band in over sixty years, 'West Australia Youth Brass Band'. Stark remains committed to building community through music, connecting the Northwestern Bands to over four hundred schools in Chicago as Social Media Manager and Outreach Coordinator. As a euphonium soloist, and S.E Shires Rising Artist, Stark has won the 2025 Northwestern Concerto-Aria Competition and placed 3rd in the 2025 United States Pershing’s Own Collegiate Solo Competition. He has performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and appeared as guest soloist with the Northwestern Symphonic Band, U.W.A Wind Orchestra and W.A Brass Band.