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Home - Ensembles - Orchestras

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. 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.

Jazz Bands
Concert Bands

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Llewellyn String Orchestra

DAY & TIME
Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm

AGE GROUP
Ages 9+

FEE
$220 per 9 week term

LEADERS

Alisha Dunstan

Miffy Ryan
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.

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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

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.

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BlueScope Youth Orchestra

DAY & TIME
Friday 5pm-7.30pm

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.

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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

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.

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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
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

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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.