Big Music

by Gillian Wills

Best Fiction Book Award Winner - 2025 Able Golden Book Awards



Beat is given a chance to shine when she is appointed dean of Turalong Music School, but her role is not what it seems.

Fine-tuning this institution is like playing a cracked violin with broken strings. She's determined to revive the school's reputation despite gender bias, staff conflict, fraud, betrayal, a famous composer's ghost and a predatory university.

Beat loves the wild mashes of trumpets, electric guitars, flutes and saxophones which blaze all day and night - indeed the book has its own soundtrack - but she's barely able to keep the school together, let alone her home life on her beloved hobby farm. Keen to unify her squabbling colleagues from opposite musical traditions, she puts a fresh spin on programming to show audiences something a combined Beethoven and rock festival.

Music or politics? What will be her magnum opus?

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Gillian has had a distinguished academic career and was the Dean of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne and has taught at Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology. In 1995, Gillian was awarded an honorary associate of the Royal Academy of Music for distinguished services to the music profession.

On shifting from Melbourne to Brisbane 15 years ago, she became a freelance arts writer and music reviewer for Queensland’s Courier Mail and was the Australian’s classical music reviewer for seven years. During this time, she has written for a broad variety of publications including Limelight, Australian Book Review, Artist Profile, The Strad, Good Reading, Music Forum, ArtsHub, Musical Opinion, Arts Hub and Outback.

Gillian is also a pre-concert speaker for The Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Her memoir Elvis and Me: How a world world weary musician and a broken racehorse rescued each other, Finch Publishing was released in August.
Read more Elvis and Me, Facebook, Gillian Wills

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Music is a fun look behind the scenes of an elite music school. Beatrice ‘Beat’ Snow is made the Dean Of Music of Turalong Arts despite being top young, female and not a performer. I found her to be very relatable character as she navigated her new role as her home life crumbles around her. I felt for her as she managed celebrity musician demands, student mental health breakdowns, rock vs classic rock rivalries and backstabbing staff and all their politics all whilst dealing with a break up with her narcissistic boyfriend. It was interesting to learn about the gender imbalance and misogyny and the high rates of hearing loss in the music world. Gillian’s writing style was melodic and I loved her descriptions- I could feel the Queensland heat coming off the pages. I really enjoyed my visit to Turalong Arts and meeting everyone and all the different egos.

[Anne Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

​We read in order to inhabit worlds other than our own and BIG MUSIC enabled me to do just that!

What I don't know about classical music could fill a song book thingy (see?) which is what made reading this story so special. We meet our protagonist Beat (short for Beatrice—genius!) as she takes the reins as head of Turalong Music School. She's young and a woman so, naturally, everyone is a jerk about it.

Much like Ginger Rogers tap dancing backwards and in heels, Beat is put through her paces but rises to the challenge in a way that is relatable and endearing. Is she sure of herself? No! But is she giving it a red hot go and throwing her heart and soul into it anyway? Yes! She is all of us. In the mix, to further complicate her life, her dick husband does dickish things and she's not even sure who she can trust at work. There's drama and intrigue and a spot of mystery too.

All this would be ample but what I adored above all else was Gillian Wills' obvious passion for music of all genres. She flits from Rachmaninoff, to Taylor Swift, to Hilltop Hoods with equal reverence, and the way she describes music is nothing short of sublime! Much of the stranger-than-fiction fodder was drawn from Gillian's own life which adds another layer of wonderment to this novel.

This is as comforting and enjoyable as any women's fiction book and also unlike any I've ever read! What doesn't sound great about that?

[Emily (the_bookdragons_den) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Music provides fabulous insight into the behind the scenes running of an elite music school. It portrays the passion, egos and how difficult it can be to introduce change through the eyes of Beatrice (Beat) who has recently been promoted to Dean of the Turalong Music School.

Beat is a very relatable character balancing the chaos of having a career and an imploding personal life. She learns hard lessons about how to appropriately lead and guide her staff while balancing their squabbling, pettiness and never ending opinions.

It was witty, intriguing and emotional. I really enjoyed the self-discovery journey Beat went through as the story progressed. The pace was great and it was a story that also had an intellectual aspect to it which was enjoyable.

Thank you to Hawkeye Publishing for a gifted copy to review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful window into that fraught institutional world of music. Plenty of topical subjects that cut across work-personal life ups and downs, and for those interested in a look at a ‘behind the scenes life’ in a music institution, there’s lots in there for you!

[Judy Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Music captures the chaotic, political environment of a university-based music school. When Beat takes over as dean of Turalong Music School, she discovers just how difficult it is to play politics, maintain friendships, and introduce positive change. Even though she's challenged at every step, she finds ways to improve the school's reputation and address some of its pressing issues. This book is fast moving, and in places I would have liked more detail and more time with the characters. But the plot is satisfying and, in the end, Beat finds a way to remain true to herself.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I went into this book not very familiar with the dynamic of a music school but even then, I enjoyed the story and the characters! Beat goes through so much hardship and it was easy to fall in love with her. It was a captivating story, even for someone with almost no knowledge of what happens in a music school like the one in the story!

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Beat (Beatrice) Snow takes over the dean position of the Turalong Music School, she is keen to do a great job. But many of the staff don’t believe she lives up to her predecessor’s reputation. Beat quickly realizes that the music school is brimming with toxicity—murky politics and sexism are affecting staff morale, and the rock stream seems to be getting the cold shoulder compared to the classical stream. More, Beat’s husband, Dan, is being unsupportive and distant. She keeps trying to smooth things over, but he’s being annoyingly evasive.

Beat knows the staff of Turalong Music School desperately needs some restoration, so she plans a team-building retreat and an exciting fundraiser for the rock stream. But will she be able to pull it all off and win over her biggest critics, or will she crash and burn as dean?

Between the questionable antics and eccentricities of the staff at the arts school, Big Music by Gillian Wills is a hilariously entertaining novel that will appeal to music enthusiasts. Beat pulls readers into her world of dysfunction, where she seems to be faltering both professionally and personally. Still, her tenacity shines through as she jumps headfirst into uncharted waters, trying to stay afloat, while many are hoping she’ll fail. Wills delivers an engaging story that is character-driven and clever, often evoking laughter.

The author has skillfully created a cast of animated characters. Some that will ruffle feathers and others that are easy to root for, but all are memorable. Moreover, the clash of personalities and enormous egos leads to scene after scene of uproariously funny situations. We have Elvira, a quirky pianist who insists the spirit of Beethoven is speaking to her; Hermione, a fiery say-it-like-it-is woman, who barges into Beat’s office on the daily; Winton, a sexist know-it-all, who makes everyone angry, and Connor, who is both maddening and irresistible. It’s no wonder many of Beat’s dean responsibilities are forgotten as she spends much of her time babysitting and putting out fires.

If you love novels with a strong female lead, Big Music by Gillian Wills will check all the boxes! The novel deftly explores a chaotic workplace environment that will have you in stitches. While it isn’t a prerequisite, readers who are familiar with classical music will enjoy the inclusion of some of the greats. Don’t miss out on this one!

[MB Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Music is the story of a young musician, named Beatrice, who is suddenly cast into the role of director of a music school. She faces lots of difficulties but battles on, determined to restore the school's flagging reputation and finances. Plenty of drama and intrigue, tons of musical references - rock, pop, jazz and classical. Great characters, great humour balanced with serious issues. An excellent novel, written by an author with real world experience, hard to put down once you've started.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Music swept me up from the very first page, taking me back to my own memories of university life in Brisbane. The blend of academic politics, musical genius, and raw human conflict is so vividly drawn that it’s impossible not to get transported into the heady world of music. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s experienced the beautiful mess that is university life, especially if Brisbane has ever been a part of your journey.
Big Music is a novel that feels deeply rooted in Brisbane, yet universal in its themes of ambition, creativity, and finding one’s place in a world that’s often stacked against you.
I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who loves stories of perseverance, artistic passion, and the struggle to find balance in life. Whether you’re someone with a passion for music or just love a story about overcoming institutional and personal challenges, this novel is for you.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A literary masterpiece. A gripping journey through heartbreak, triumph, and self-discovery. A must-read for anyone interested in a story that resonates both intellectually and emotionally.

[Jo Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to attend the grand launch of Big Music at Avid Reader in Brisbane recently. The audience were entertained by a classical violinist before being given a behind the scenes glimpse into life as a professional classical musician.

Pianist and former Dean of the Victorian School of Arts, Gillian Wills has written her experiences into a compelling novel about the passions and intrigues behind the velvet curtain while remaining coy about which of her stories are based in the truth.

The beleaguered protagonist, Beat (Beatrice Snow) is promoted to Dean of Turalong Music School and has grand dreams to revive its fortunes with innovative and daring ideas. Her ambition is repeatedly thwarted, and her authority undermined from every direction. While battling the pervasive misogyny of the music industry and the undercurrents of jealousy and cynicism from colleagues, she also struggles on the home front with her relationship to Dan teetering.

As Beat struggles to unite her colleagues from different musical traditions and to keep her hobby farm and beloved animals, she learns to rely on her internal resources and to trust her instincts despite the sinister forces threatening to undermine her.

With quirky characters, humour, disillusionment and dark politics, Big Music takes the reader on a wild ride using poetic and musical prose. And for the full experience, readers can enjoy the accompanying spotify playlist compiled by Wills. Strap yourself in.

[Clive Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrice Snow (aka Beat) appears to have the ideal life: a near-perfect balance between her work and home lives.

She’s in her early 30s; a graduate of the Juilliard School, New York; and enjoys the challenge of teaching at Turalong Arts, a college that offers music, art and dance tertiary programmes. She has bought, with the help of a significant mortgage, a property just outside Brisbane that includes two horses, a few greyhounds and a grand piano.

Beat is promoted. She becomes Dean of Music at Turalong Arts.

Marilyn Thorne, the chief executive officer, tells Beat “never to expect praise … don’t hanker for approval … no-one is going to pat you on the back … but if there’s a stuff-up, it will be front page news”.

The administrative staff are sane. The teaching staff are highly-strung, passionate, and opinionated. Beat uses sensitivity, persuasion and charm to overcome problems. The highlights in the book are when these strategies don’t work.

When a performance is due to start, an audience is waiting and a staff member is being difficult, my blood pressure started to rise. There are a few edge-of-seat situations like that.

I found the core theme of 'Big Music' compelling and the day-to-day highs and lows experienced by each character engrossing. It was as if they were members of my family. I was joyful when things went right; sorrowful when they didn’t; and critical when the staff misbehaved.

[Sarah Todman · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Big Music, Gillian Wells invites the reader to explore the world of performing arts eduction - in particular music - and what a fascinating universe to spend time in!

Welcome to Turalong Music School, where classical music reigns, while rock is tolerated. Where the music is indeed ‘big’, but the egos are often bigger.

And here we meet our protagonist, 32 year-old Beat, short for Beatrice, a gifted pianist whose talent has not reached the heights of concert world acclaim. Instead Beat has turned to teaching…that is, until the school suddenly and unexpectedly appoints her to the role of Dean of Music.

What ensues is a rocky expedition of self-examination that ultimately leads to empowerment for the loveable Beat and I was with her every step of the way.

Big Music’s cast of characters is a delight — their eccentricities, right down to their clothing choices, are vividly captured and the dialogue is written with a verve and rhythm that I feel sure must come from the author’s own musical background.

Gillian’s ability to weave gorgeous descriptions of music — in every genre — being played through each chapter felt effortless and therefore magical. It made me want to listen closer to the soundtrack of my own life and appreciate all of the riches that music holds.

The story's romantic thread caught me unawares, which I really liked, and I found the ending wholly satisfying.

I am looking forward to Gillian's next book.

[Sam Riley]

What a brilliant and unforgettable read! From the very first page, I was captivated by Beat’s journey, not just as the new dean of Turalong Music School, but as a woman fighting against bias, betrayal, and impossible odds while still clinging to her love of music.

The imagery was extraordinary. I could hear the book, trumpets blaring, guitars thrumming, flutes soaring, saxophones weaving in and out like threads of sound. It truly felt like the story had its own soundtrack, and as a reader, I was swept into every note.

What made this book so powerful was the balance between the beauty of music and the harsh realities Beat faced: gender prejudice, staff rivalries, even the haunting presence of a composer’s ghost. It wasn’t just a story about saving a school, it was about resilience, passion, and the courage to push through when everything around you seems to be breaking apart.

The Beethoven-and-rock festival idea was a stroke of genius, bold, daring, and the perfect metaphor for Beat’s vision. That scene alone left me in awe, because it showed how tradition and innovation can collide to create something extraordinary.

This book isn’t just about music, it is music. Every chapter builds like a symphony, full of tension, harmony, and release, leaving you both satisfied and hungry for an encore.

To the author: thank you for giving us such a vibrant, layered, and inspiring story. You didn’t just write a book, you composed an entire experience.

[Eileen O'Hely · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reasonable pianist in my younger days, a music degree was on my list of options for tertiary study. My first preference was for Science, partially to prove that I could cut it in a male-dominated field. Little did I realise until reading Big Music, just how male-dominated Music is! (Although you could be forgiven for not realising this if you look at my 14-y-o's playlist.) I was also shocked to learn that female classical pianists are judged not only on technical ability but appearance.
Wills paints a picture of a dean's battle to foster a cohesive staff and grow her beloved music school. Promoted to the level of her incompetence (supposedly by those who appointed her), Beat meets every challenge head-on, including cleaning up the huge mess left behind by her predecessor. She must deal with big personalities, a big budget deficit, as well as a big and most unwelcome surprise in her personal life.
Academics from all disciplines will relate to Beat's frustrations, while those with some musical knowledge will enjoy the foreshadowing of the chapter titles.

[George Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh, captivating story that blends art, passion, and politics beautifully!

Big Music immediately caught my attention with its powerful premise a woman stepping into the high-stakes world of a music school filled with ambition, rivalry, and creativity. Even from the blurb, Gillian Wills’ writing promises emotional depth and vivid storytelling. I love how she explores the intersection of music and leadership, and how personal conviction meets institutional challenge.

It’s refreshing to see a strong female lead like Beat navigating both artistic and political battles. The themes of gender bias, integrity, and the transformative power of art feel so timely. I can already tell this will be one of those novels that lingers with you long after reading.

Can’t wait to dive deeper into this one truly deserving of its award recognition!

[Lorena Otes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wills is an outstanding storyteller, as I found out at her Sydney ‘Big Music’ launch at Berkelouw Books. There was a musical performance (by a principal SSO clarinetist, no less), followed by a hilarious and insightful author interview. I knew in an instant I was going to love her book.

Set in the music world, ‘Big Music’ is a beautifully written, at times humorous, account of how Beatrice (Beat) overcomes threats of disillusionment both in her work place (a music institution), and her hobby horse farm.

Wills is a gifted storyteller, and Big Music had me intrigued from the very first page.

Plus, there is a music soundtrack on Spotify that Wills has compiled to go with the novel. And it’s great!!!

[Lainie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love music of all kinds but know little about the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into the creation of a song or a symphony or a concert. In "Big Music" author and musician Gillian Wills took me into a world where passion and creation meet to spawn jealousy and genius. Through the triumphs and heartbreaks of the main character, Beat, I was drawn into the lives of the teachers and students of Turalong Music School and came away enriched by the experience and in awe of their dedication. The rivalries, underhand plotting, and outright treachery that underpins the story, make "Big Music" an intriguing and enjoyable read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this work by Gillian Wills. Even as a reader with no background in music education it was immediately engaging and the pace and imagery thrust you right in amongst the inner workings and personalities of this world. Enjoyed the journey.

[Michel Vimal du Monteil · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can hear the tunes as you effortlessly follow the trials and tribulations of Beat, the Dean of the music school. All is not what it seems, the twists and turns will keep you on your toes until the very end. Highly recommended.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional roller coaster that is beautiful to read as a musician or a literature lover.
Constantly making me both reflect and giggle.

[Kathleen O'Reilly Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. A highly entertaining story for anyone who has every hummed a tune. I could hear the orchestra tuning up. I loved Big Music.

[Greg Bourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly engaging and witty story about the contest of wills within an energetic music college. The novel illustrates a learned insider’s view of music academia and rivalry, with fragile and unsteady allegiances. The great characterisation and storyline provides cadence, like a swishing conductor’s wand, hooking the reader through to the end.