Welcome to Wollongong Conservatorium
Positive Change Through Music
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Orchestras
If you are a learning to play an instrument we recommend you also join an orchestra because playing in a group will help you improve as a musician and understand the nuances of playing with others.
For a young musician, you’d be welcome to join one of our Youth Orchestras as part of the Junior Strings program. There are groups for beginners right up to flagship ensembles like the BlueScope Youth Orchestra. Generally, our Youth Orchestras are for young musicians interested in classical music, although other styles of music are always in the mix.
As skills develop players can ‘graduate’ from one Orchestra to the next.
There are also other orchestras for adults and for mixed ages. The choice is yours.
Remember, you can belong to more than one Ensemble/Band at WollCon so check out our Jazz Bands and Concert Bands to create a truly broad experience as a young musician.
The Programs below are loosely listed in order of typical age appropriateness, from younger to older.
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Primrose Training Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Tuesday - 5:00pm-6:00pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 7+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
No ensemble experience is required for this class making this ideal for students who have not yet reached AMEB Grade 1, Unit 1, or Suzuki Book 2. This is an invaluable opportunity for inexperienced string players to gain an understanding of orchestral string playing.
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Meyer Double Bass Ensemble
DAY & TIME |
Monday 5.00pm-6.00pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 8+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
No ensemble experience is required for this class making this ideal for students who have not yet reached AMEB Grade 1, Unit 1, or Suzuki Book 2.
This is an invaluable opportunity for new bass players to gain an understanding of orchestral string playing.
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Llewellyn String Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 9+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
Students are required to have at least one year of experience on their instrument and have a facility comparable to AMEB Grade 1, Unit 1, or Suzuki Book 2. This is a great opportunity for young string players to gain invaluable ensemble experience while building connections with other members.
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Powell String Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 10+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
For the intermediate violin, viola, cello, and bass player, in upper primary school and/or junior high school years. This is a comprehensive class where students work towards a greater mastery of sight-reading, tone production, dynamic pallet, balance, rhythm, articulation, and expression.
Entry is by audition, or recommendation by a Wollongong Conservatorium of Music string teacher. The entry standard is from Grade 3/Grade 4 AMEB upwards, with prospective students demonstrating good sight-reading and rhythmic skills, as the Powell String Orchestra is the precursor to the BlueScope Youth Orchestra.
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BlueScope Youth Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Friday 4.45pm-7.15pm |
AGE GROUP |
High School |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
TEACHERS |
Annual tours are also part of the program, visiting regional areas within NSW and Australia. Every third year there is the opportunity for the orchestra to tour internationally.
Entry is by audition only, and students are required to be at least 6th Grade AMEB, and in high school.
Auditions Information
Auditions Registration
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Camerata Chamber Group
DAY & TIME |
Friday 7.30pm-8.30pm |
AGE GROUP |
High School Yr8+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
The Camerata Chamber Group is for advanced players. The aim of Camerata is to provide a varied and challenging ensemble for students in 8th grade and above, with a repertoire that varies from ancient to modern styles.
The Group would perform four or five times per year. Membership is by audition or invitation and rehearsals are on Friday nights at 7.30 pm for one hour. However, this is flexible and rehearsals may be longer at times.
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Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Wednesday 7.00pm-9.00pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 13+ |
FEE |
$220 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
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WollCon Symphony Orchestra
DAY & TIME |
Monday 6.30pm-8.30pm |
AGE GROUP |
Ages 12+ |
FEE |
$105 per 9 week term |
LEADER |
Mikaela Johnson |
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submit an application
“For many years I played with the Bluescope Youth Orchestra, run by Nigel Edwards and Tanya Phillips which gave me a strong sense of musical community and the joy of playing in an ensemble. I had so much fun on tour and at rehearsals.”
Your
Instructors
Although our interests are wide and varied, we work as a community of musicians, supported by incredible tutors, to continually improve our skills and perform to the best of our ability.
Daniel Michelmore – Member of Bluescope Youth Orchestra
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