50th Birthday Music Festival at WollCon

Event Details

The pinnacle of our events celebrating our birthday. Join us for a free weekend of music making.

The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is turning 50 this year and is celebrating with a free two-day Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday the 10-11th September.

The festival will be hosted at WollCon on the grounds surrounding Gleniffer Brae, and everyone is invited to enjoy performances from our own students, staff and alumni as well as the Steel City Strings, the Hot Potato Band, and drummer and rapper DOBBY.

With all styles of music showcased, there will be something for everyone, young or old, and for all musical tastes.

Main Stage performances will be live streamed on our YouTube page – stay tuned.

DAY 1: Saturday 10th September

Saturday Morning (10am – 12:30pm)
SONG & DANCE with Children’s Choir (including Speech & Drama students), ChiME, Con Artists, WollCon Youth Jazz Band, Steel City Strings.

Saturday Lunch Break (12:30-1:15pm)
Harps in the Garden including a Piano Salon in the Manor House.

Saturday Afternoon (1:15pm – 4:30pm)
Festival Concert Band, Contemporary Guitar Ensemble & guests, Latin Jazz Orchestra, DOBBY (drummer and rapper) + Jazz Band.

DAY 2: Sunday 11th September

Sunday Morning (10am – 12:30pm)
Curious Rendition Orchestra, Festival Community Orchestra,
The Big Sing (Combined Vocal ensembles): ‘Slice of Heaven’
> Download low voice part | Download high voice part
Combined Youth String Orchestras, Powell Orchestra.

Sunday Lunch Break (12:30-1:15pm)
Harps in the Garden including a Piano Salon in the Manor House.

Sunday Afternoon (1:15pm – 4:30pm)
BlueScope Youth Orchestra, Official Birthday Celebration (speeches) with an All-Staff Performance, The Con Artists, and The Hot Potato Band.

Some food options will be for sale but this will be limited to two food vendors and a coffee van. We encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch, and a rug or chair to sit on. Please come along and join our music community.

Important Things to Note:
A wet weather alternative will be announcd closer to the event. This is a no alcohol, non-smoking, outdoor event.

The General Pedestrian Entrance is via: Murphys Ave (pedestrian gate and the carpark entrance) and the Robsons Rd gate.

Accessible Entrance (those with access needs) is via the Gleniffer Brae gate entrance (Murphys Ave). Vehicles should drive into the carpark up to the disabled parking drop off zone to allow visitors to access the path leading to the disabled viewing area, situated towards the side of the main audience area.

Parking is on-street, in and around Murphys Avenue and Robsons Road. 
The WollCon Gleniffer Brae car park will be reserved for disabled parking, artists/pick up and drop off only and will be managed by parking attendants.

People With Access Requirements:
People with access requirements will be encouraged to register in advance in order that we can provide support as required. Please email us at [email protected]

Hired amenities: Toilets including an Accessible Toilet will be on site.

Visit our full list of Things to know before your visit

 

Sign up to our mailing list below, and we’ll make sure you’re kept up-to-date with our 50th Birthday events as they unfold over 2022.

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 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 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 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 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 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.