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Concert Bands

WollCon has an incredible Band Program which reaches many young players across the region in schools, as well as hosting three significant youth bands who rehearse weekly at WollCon.

Highlights of the year include performances in and around Wollongong including Mega Band in Wollongong Town Hall – see Special Projects for more information about that gathering of bands from the region.

Our Junior Band is a great way for young wind players to start out on their musical journey as a Band Member. As skills develop a player can, at the recommendation of WollCon’s music staff, move to the Concert Band and onto our Symphonic Wind Ensemble – assuming the player is old enough. Common to all our bands is a rousing full sound, fantastic repertoire (ranging from original music to hits from stage and screen) and a great opportunity to hang out with likeminded young musicians as well as brilliant, inspirational Band Leaders.

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Concert Band

DAY & TIME
Monday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 11+

FEE

Click here to view our fees

LEADER

Claire Hollander
Pre-requisites:
Selective. Entry to Concert Band is at the discretion of the conductor, based on recommendation from your individual tutor, school band director, or via a short audition. Strong music reading skills are essential.

Wind, Brass and Percussion. Concert Band is our Intermediate level ensemble for students ready to take on more challenging repertoire. Students will learn the skills needed to play with other musicians, improve sight-reading and gain confidence as ensemble performers. Concert Band is a great opportunity to connect with students from other schools through a shared passion for music.

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Symphonic Wind Ensemble

DAY & TIME
Monday 6.00pm-7.30pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 12+

FEE

Click here to view our fees

LEADERS

Suzanne Cowan

Claire Hollander
Pre-requisites:
Selective. Entry to Symphonic Wind Ensemble is at the discretion of the conductor, based on recommendation from your individual tutor, school band director, or via a short audition.

Open to experienced secondary school musicians the ensemble explores advancing Concert Band repertoire, and is an opportunity to gain confidence as an ensemble musician, to share the stage with other like-minded musicians and to present concerts around the region. The repertoire ranges from original concert band works to hits from stage, screen and popular music.

The ensemble is open to the full range of instruments found in a traditional ‘Symphonic Band’: piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bassoon, trumpet/cornet, trombone, french horn, euphonium/baritone Horn, tuba, bass guitar/double bass and percussion (including keyboard percussion).

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Junior Ensemble

DAY & TIME
Monday 4:00pm-5:00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 8 - 14

FEE

Click here to view our fees

Has your child started learning an instrument in 2026?

WollCon’s new Junior Ensemble is the perfect next step from school band, giving young musicians the opportunity to build confidence, develop their ensemble skills, meet other young musicians and experience the excitement of making music together at WollCon.

  • A wonderful progression from school band to WollCon ensembles.
  • Build confidence, musicianship and performance skills.
  • Make new musical friends.
  • Discover where their musical journey can take them

Your school band may have been where the journey started… now let’s see where the music can take you.

Expressions of interest are now open.

Apply Now

submit an application

“Ensemble music-making is about so much more than learning notes. It teaches students how to listen, communicate and work together towards a shared goal, while building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. Performance and touring opportunities provide memorable experiences that foster independence, create lifelong friendships and inspire a deeper appreciation for music and the wider world.”

Your
Instructors

Claire Hollander
Claire Hollander

Concert Bands, Ensembles, Trombone, Trumpet

Suzanne Cowan
Suzanne Cowan

Concert Bands, Ensembles, Flute, Single Instrument Ensembles

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Wollongong Conservatorium is located on Dharawal country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, celebrate their continuing culture and the contribution First Nations people make to the life of this region and our country.

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Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants

© 2023 Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Limited (a Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 31 080 489 685 Trading as Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
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Matt Lynch

Director

Matt Lynch brings to WollCon extensive executive and governance experience across energy, infrastructure, defence, and government sectors. He has a proven record of delivering enterprise transformation, strengthening risk and governance frameworks, leading the development of innovative IT solutions, and managing data security and safety transformation projects within highly regulated environments. He is recognised for building high-performing teams that achieve sustainable outcomes.

He holds a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Information Science and Technology from the University of Wollongong, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Sue Savage

Director

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.