NSW regional conservatoriums

5758 — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

By Stephen O'Connell (President, NSW Association of Regional Conservatoriums and Director, Goulburn Regional Conservatorium) and Jane Robertson (Association Treasurer and Director, Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music)

Last updated: 20 February 2009.

Regional conservatoriums in NSW have been in existence since the late 1970s, growing from modest beginnings in Bathurst to a network of Conservatoriums servicing most of NSW’s regional centres. In a program unique to New South Wales, they are funded by the State Government (disbursed through the Department of Education and Training) to provide the necessary leadership, resources and expertise to deliver accessible, high quality, life-long learning for people living outside the major metropolitan centres.

Regional conservatoriums are located in Lismore (Northern Rivers), Grafton (Clarence Valley), Coffs Harbour, Armidale (New England), Tamworth, Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter), Gosford (Central Coast), Dubbo (Macquarie), Orange, Bathurst (Mitchell), Young, Wagga Wagga (Riverina), Goulburn, Albury (Murray) and Wollongong. Two smaller music centres operate at Deniliquin (South West) and Gunnedah. Together they employ more than 560 musicians, conductors and music teachers and deliver tuition to over 20,000 students.

For the most part, the regional conservatoriums are funded to provide individual tuition across the entire range of orchestral and band instruments. Additionally, however, of the more than 20,000 students, over 2,500 participate in more than 260 ensembles. These include everything from symphony orchestras to string orchestras, big bands, concert bands, chamber ensembles and recorder groups. Many regional conservatoriums also run music camps, present pedagogy courses and, in some instances, are registered training organisations teaching courses up to Advanced Diploma level.

Every conservatorium provides opportunities not only for the community to engage in artistic activities, but also for school-age students to access the skills of well-trained and experienced educators. A high percentage of students found in the nation’s tertiary music courses have enjoyed their formative years in a regional conservatorium.

Regional conservatoriums also provide other services for their communities, such as music therapy, support for Higher School Certificate students (irrespective of whether the students learn at the conservatorium) and professional development for local school teachers. In some cases, a school’s entire music program is delivered by the conservatorium.

Some of the most exciting initiatives involve the very young, through early childhood music programs. Many of these children progress from ECM classes to individual tuition, and form the backbone of the regional conservatoriums’ ongoing development.

The regional conservatoriums in NSW are the major providers of venues for their respective towns, catering not only for their own programs, but also to touring soloists and ensembles. Their existence provides and encourages professional performance opportunities for their staff and supports state- and federally- funded performance initiatives across all genres.

They have become education and performance powerhouses that provide innovative, artistic programs delivered by talented and dedicated staff for the benefit of whole communities. The regional conservatoriums are providing an outstanding contribution to music performance and education in regional NSW.

For further information and contact information see the website of the NSW Association of Regional Conservatoriums (ANSWRC).

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NSW regional conservatoriums

By Stephen O'Connell (President, NSW Association of Regional Conservatoriums and Director, Goulburn Regional Conservatorium) and Jane Robertson (Association Treasurer and Director, Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music)

Last updated: 20 February 2009.