Enjoying our music student performances will be easier for everyone this year after securing a regular slot at one of Wollongong’s exciting live music venues.
Port Kembla’s ‘The Servo’ is hosting regular Wednesday sessions throughout the year (excluding holidays) and featuring a variety of WollCon jazz and contemporary music groups and ages, ranging from smaller combos and bands (of 3-8 people), and larger ensembles such as Jazz Big Band and the Latin Orchestra.
Then from 7pm members of the community are invited to join and create music with our WollCon musicians.
WollCon aims to achieve a sense of a community at The Servo, where musicians know they can perform music in a safe space. This platform allows the Conservatorium to showcase its vision for diversifying the Jazz Program to include contemporary, rock, and everything in between.
Term 3 performance schedule
NOTE: All students are welcome to participate in the open jam sesssions. You can jump in at anytime, stay as long or as little as you’d like. We aim to rotate students fairly.
| DATE | ENSEMBLES | PERFORMANCE TIMES |
| Week 1: July 22 | OPEN JAM ONLY (All Students Welcome) |
6.15pm -8.30pm (Break from 7.15pm – 7.30pm) |
| Week 2: July 29 | OPEN JAM ONLY (All Students Welcome) |
6.15pm – 8.30pm (Break from 7.15pm – 7.30pm) |
| Week 3: August 5 | Tuesday 5pm Ensemble A.K.A Smile More |
6.15pm | Smile More 7:00pm | Open Jam |
| Week 4: August 12 | Adult Jazz Student Ensemble | 6.15pm | Cactus (Adult Jazz Student Ensemble) 7:00pm | Open Jam |
| Week 5: August 19 |
Tuesday 7pm Rock Ensemble Fruit Salad and the Yumm Yummies |
6.30pm | Fruit Salad and the Yummy Yummies 7.15pm | Open Jazz |
| Week 6: August 26 | Tuesday 4pm Ensemble | 6.15pm | Tuesday 4pm Ensemble 7.00pm | Open Jam |
| Week 7: September 2 | Tuesday 6pm jazz Ensemble & Tuesday 6.30pm Adult Jazz Ensemble | 6.15pm | Tuesday 6pm Jazz Ensemble 6.45pm | Tuesday 6.30pm Adult Ensemble 7.30pm | Open jam |
| Week 8: September 9 | Wednesday 4pm Ensemble & Vocal Students |
6.10pm | Wednesday 4pm Ensemble |
| Week 9: September 16 | Conchords & Hummingbirds | 6.15pm | Conchords 6.45pm | Hummingbirds 7.30pm | Open Jam |
“Performance is a two-way street. An energy exchange between the musicians and the audience. Most music is a social experience whether it be with the other musicians or the audience. Music is so often a vessel for social harmony and bonding that very few other activities can provide. It needs to exist in the real world of our community where it becomes alive.”
The Servo in Port Kembla is a key community centre of the Illawarra. Great for kids with its art deco roof providing plenty of open space outdoors allowing for a safe play area for kids to run around and socialise, whilst providing a really good performance venue with a great stage and sound system.
The concerts will be free entry so all friends and family will be able to come and support each other.
David says that music schools are the incubators and performing outside in the community allows our music students to grow and for family and friends to come along to see them perform, something which is important to young musicians.
But one thing that remains a focus is performance practice and all the skills that brings.
“They say one hour on the band stand is worth ten in the practice shed. The practical and social skills this will provide are immeasurable. Being organised in regard to times, repertoire and instrument maintenance, and importantly the confidence of people knowing they can stand on a stage in front of people week in week out and perform music to anyone anywhere. One of my favourite things of seeing students perform is when a student who might typically be shy or reserved turns into a whole other person on stage!”
HIGHLIGHTS
Opening night (20th Feb) highlights included a young 10 year old conga drummer who jammed on stage for the first time, with music teacher Chris Fields and some of the older drum students. The WollCon Afro-Cuban Jazz ensemble who learnt a Chris Field composition without his knowledge, played it on the night inviting him to join in as a guest artist. Magic music moments for everyone!
6:00pm – WollCon Groups
7:00pm – Open Jam Sessions (ALL welcome & wanted).
Dates for 2026 (excluding school & public holidays):
Term 1: 12th Feb – through to 2nd April
Term 2: 30th April through to 24th June
Term 3: 30th July through to 17th September
Term 4: 22nd October through to 10th December
Food Trucks on site to purchase meals.
Header Image: ServoFoodTruck Facebook page
