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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

Adrian Davis

For the new violin, viola, cello, and bass player looking for their first ensemble experience. This is an entry level class where students will begin to work towards an understanding of basic sight-reading, tone production, dynamic pallet, balance, rhythm, articulation, and expression.

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.

Meyer Double Bass Ensemble

DAY & TIME

Monday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP

Ages 8+

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

Ethan Ireland

For the new bass player looking for their first ensemble experience. This is an entry level class where students will begin to work towards an understanding of basic sight-reading, tone production, dynamic palette, balance, rhythm, articulation, and expression. Students in the Meyer Double Bass Ensemble will work separately with our bass specialist and perform alongside the Primrose Training Orchestra.

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.

Llewellyn String Orchestra

DAY & TIME

Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP

Ages 9+

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

Adrian Davis

For the beginner violin, viola, cello, and bass player looking to strengthen their basic ensemble skills. This is a comprehensive class where students will work towards a greater mastery of sight-reading, tone production, dynamic pallet, balance, rhythm, articulation, and expression.

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.

Powell String Orchestra

DAY & TIME

Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP

Ages 10+

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

Tanya Phillips

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.

BlueScope Youth Orchestra

DAY & TIME

Friday 4.45pm-7.15pm

AGE GROUP

High School

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

TBA

TEACHERS

Tanya Phillips

Scott Taggart

Tony Grimm

The BlueScope Youth Orchestra has been one of the flagship performing ensembles of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music for over 35 years, providing performance opportunities and orchestral training to the youth of the Illawarra region and surrounding areas. It currently has players aged 14 to 21 years of age. The Orchestra performs regularly within Wollongong and surrounding areas, often bringing together other musical groups and societies to share concerts.

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.

Camerata Chamber Group

DAY & TIME

Friday 7.30pm-8.30pm

AGE GROUP

High School Yr8+

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

TBA

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.

Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra

DAY & TIME

Wednesday 7.00pm-9.00pm

AGE GROUP

Ages 13+

FEE

$220 per 9 week term

LEADER

David Rodriguez-Lovibond

For advanced players including adults. This band will focus on challenging big band literature and advanced concepts of jazz. Entry by audition/recommendation.

WollCon Symphony Orchestra

DAY & TIME

Monday 6.30pm-8.30pm

AGE GROUP

Ages 12+

FEE

$105 per 9 week term

LEADER

Mikaela Johnson
The WollCon Symphony Orchestra is an inclusive all-ages community orchestra. The orchestra exists for the benefit of musicians in and around the Illawarra Region and South Coast, following a long tradition of community-based orchestras in the region. Members of the Con Community Orchestra have played in the original Illawarra Symphony Orchestra, The South Coast Orchestra, The Wollongong Symphony, Wollongong Community Orchestra and Steel City Strings. No audition is required. Players from intermediate to advanced are invited to participate (there may be limited places for woodwind, brass, percussion). The orchestra rehearses during term and plays at least two concerts per year, as well as hosting workshops and other events.

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“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.”

Jane Aubourg

Alumni (composer, violinist, maker)

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