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Students of all ages took part in an exciting range of music activities at Macquarie Conservatorium in 2016, with more than 1000 youth and adults participating in music tuition, workshops and performances.
Conservatorium staff travelled to schools in Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Trangie and Wellington each week, giving students the opportunity to learn an instrument and play in their school band. Wind, brass, strings, drumming, ukulele, guitar and classroom music programs were all taught onsite at Orana region schools by specialist Conservatorium staff, who also visited two pre-schools.
In partnership with Outback Arts, the Conservatorium’s drumming teacher Dale Freeman travelled to Cobar, Bourke, Warren, Coonamble, Walgett and Lightning Ridge for drumming workshops, giving people in those communities a chance to try this fun music activity.
In June, many City of Dubbo Eisteddfod prizes were awarded to Conservatorium students and ensembles, including the Daily Liberal Instrumental Scholarship to pianist Madelyn Fardell. The Conservatorium’s Youth Music Theatre Program for ages 8-12 years continued this year, adding extra performances for large groups from schools and preschools.
An auditioned choir of young singers was formed to perform in Opera Australia’s production of The Marriage of Figaro at Dubbo Regional Theatre in August. The Macquarie Youth Chorus had the thrill of appearing in a professional opera production in full costume alongside some of Australia’s finest opera singers.
Throughout the year, visiting artists from the Macquarie Conservatorium Concert Series, including the Streeton Trio, the Flinders Quartet, pianists Daniel de Borah and Simon Tedeschi, gave local students the chance to perform for them and benefit from their feedback in masterclasses.
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Very popular visiting artists this year were outstanding jazz musicians, vocalist Emma Pask, Dubbo’s own renowned bass player Phil Stack, guitarist James Muller and drummer Tim Firth. As well as performing a sell-out concert, these musicians gave an inspiring jazz workshop to Dubbo secondary students.
Five Macquarie Conservatorium students were selected to join other talented students from the 17 NSW Regional Conservatoriums in the Regional Youth Orchestra New South Wales, taking part in two exciting projects at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra, as well as performing the finale concert of the Artlands Festival in October.
Viola student Emma Newby, vocalist Billie Palin and piano teacher Nadine Isbester were selected to perform at a concert in September at Sydney’s Parliament House, hosted by the Minister for the Education Adrian Piccoli, to showcase the talent developed by NSW Regional Conservatoriums. Billie Palin was also awarded a Young Regional Artist Scholarship, enabling her to travel to London for intensive workshops with leading music theatre professionals.
Enrolments are now open for 2017, for tuition for all ages on a range of instruments and voice, and for performing ensembles.
Music classes for pre-schoolers are available, as well as affordable group tuition for after-school instrumental lessons.