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Community Music

Our community music ensembles, which welcomes people from across the region, are a vibrant and significant part of WollCon’s programs, encouraging people with all sorts of musical abilities to be part of a group sharing their love of music.

The groups all explore a wealth of musical styles and perform across Wollongong and further afield.
For some participants it’s just the start of their music career while for others their focus is just to be part of a wonderful music community.

Curious Rendition Orchestra (CROW)

Led by David Rooney and Mark Holder-Keeping, the Curious Rendition Orchestra or CROW was conceived in 2014 with a mission to offer a Con Artists style ensemble at a slower pace for inexperienced adult musicians and comeback players. Since then CROW has developed an identity of its own. The band has appeared at Coledale Markets, Red Point Artists ‘Art on The Grass’, Jam n Bread, The Illawarra Folk Festival, Viva La Gong, HONK! Oz Festival of Street Music and the Perisher Peak Music Festival.

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Curious Rendition Orchestra (CROW)
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The Con Artists

Led by David Rooney and Mark Holder-Keeping this all-ages community band combines young up and coming students, adult community musicians, and some of the region’s most prominent folk musicians, playing dissident and celebratory folk music from around the world. Fun and irreverent, The Con Artists are a carnival of percussion, wind, brass, accordions and fiddles, which has hosted the HONK!Oz Street Music Festival in Wollongong since 2015.

Participants are usually by invitation or audition process.

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The Con Artists
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The Conchords

Led by Heidi Piper WollCon’s Community Choir – The Conchords – is a weekly dose of all the happy hormones that come from community, connection and joining together in song! The focus is on a positive rehearsal atmosphere that encourages each member to let their voice ring, and to feel comfortable stretching themselves across a range of material that embraces pop and gospel tunes to jazz, folk and musical theatre in a safe, supportive and joyful space. The Conchords regularly perform at WollCon events and arrangements are provided along with practice tracks.

This is an un-auditioned community ensemble.

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The Conchords
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Five Islands String Orchestra (FISO)

FISO is for violin, viola, cello, and bass players aged 18 and over who are looking to strengthen their ensemble skills while connecting with other developing adult string players in the community. This is a comprehensive class where participants will work towards a greater understanding of orchestral string playing. There is a focus on classical styles, however participants can expect to play a wide range of styles throughout their time in the group. Participants are required to have at least one year of experience on their instruments and be able to play a one octave D major, G major, and C major scale. This is an ideal opportunity for adult string players to gain invaluable ensemble experience while building connections in our local music community.

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Five Islands String Orchestra
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Minor Swing Band

An all-ages community ensemble exploring the Django Reinhardt influenced Jazz style emerging from 1930/40s France. Guitarists and double bass players 13yrs to adult are invited to participate. It is not necessary to be able to read music or understand music theory. However, this ensemble is not suitable for absolute beginners – some experience on your instrument is required. The sessions will look at: Right and left-hand technique, Swing rhythm (La Pompe), typical Django Jazz chords, Arpeggios, Scales, Licks and Phrases, Improvisation concepts.

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Minor Swing Band
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WollCon Symphony Orchestra

Our Symphony Orchestra (previously known as the Conservatorium Community Orchestra) is an inclusive all-ages (from 12 yrs) 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 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 Symphony Orchestra rehearses during term and plays at least four concerts per year.

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WollCon Community Orchestra
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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.