[7] Before travelling to Europe in 1962[8] he taught in Queensland schools and was for a time the head of music at Kelvin Grove Teacher's College.

While there, he conducted the Australian premieres of works such as Joseph Haydn's L'infedeltà delusa and Georges Bizet's Le docteur Miracle.

In 1969 he won the Albert H. Maggs Composition Award, composing the work A Ballade for St. Cecilia : Cantata for Chorus, Orchestra and Soloists.

[4] Brumby's music includes operas; concerti for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, piano, violin, viola, and guitar; two symphonies; orchestral suites and overtures; chamber works; sonatas for flute, clarinet and bassoon; incidental music for dramatic presentations; film and ballet scores; and songs.

[15] It was founded by the Australia Council in honour of Don Banks, Australian composer, performer and the first chair of its music board.