Welcome to Term 1, 2023
Welcome back to another action-packed year at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium. Welcome to all those who are joining us this year. Thank you for making the decision to join us - music education is an important part of everyone's lives, from very young ages right through to our more senior-aged students.
Term 1 is a 10-week term - lessons will commence at the CVCon on Monday 30 January and in schools on Monday 6 February.
There are new offerings available this year. Have a look at the newsletter and register for something new this year.
At the end of 2022 we said farewell to long-term teachers Leanne Taylor and Cherry Collins as they move on to the next stages of their lives. We wish them well. Fortunately, Cherry will be with us for just a few more weeks at the start of Term 1 before she moves on. We also bid a short goodbye to Jill Carter while she prepares for her new arrival.
CVCon Rock Band
Do you want to play like the true rock star you are?
We're taking expressions of interest for students to join the CVCon Rock Band.
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano (Keys) and Drum students will join together to create our newest group at the Con.
To register your interest please complete the form here. Open to students of all ages wanting to expand their knowledge and unlock new opportunities.
Australian Vocal Ensemble
After many years of planning, Katie Noonan is thrilled to announce the launch of AVÉ (Australian Vocal Ensemble).
AVÉ is an elite chamber ensemble that is warm and welcoming to all, consisting of artists of international excellence; Katie Noonan, Fiona Campbell, Andrew Goodwin and Andrew O'Connor. The ensemble presents vocal performances featuring new Australian works, featuring engagement with our First Nations People.
The ensemble, established in 2021, aims to make a mark on the national and international stage, telling unique stories and celebrating identity and place through song. Exploring the extraordinary vocal music from the late Renaissance and Baroque era alongside New Australian works, AVÉ is creating a national standard in the presentation of professional chamber vocal works.
AVÉ’s Patron Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO said, “AVÉ – imagination, ideas, magic; hallmarks of Katie Noonan’s contribution to our cultural life. Sparkling, enriching, inclusive in every sense, again and again, she amazes with her capacity to translate dreams into reality, captivating us with the way she lifts our hearts, taps into our emotions, laughter, sometimes a raw nerve or two, an awakening, with generosity in spades."
Katie Noonan, soprano, Artistic Director Fiona Campbell, soprano Andrew Goodwin, tenor Andrew O’Connor, bass-baritone
Choral Workshop with AVE
In addition to their concert, AVÉ will present a workshop for singers at the Conservatorium.
For choral singers as well as solo singers, Katie Noonan will lead participants through the finer details of singing and singing in a group.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from one of Australia's most renowned vocalists, Katie Noonan. Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to sing alongside AVE in their Tuesday evening concert.
2023 Scholarships
Congratulations to our scholarship students for 2023 and thank you to all students who auditioned for a scholarship.
holarships were awarded to:
Senior Scholarships
Maritsa Hartono - Piano Ethan Moore - Trombone Casey Palmer - Percussion Toby Smidt - Piano Andrea Thomson - Voice
Junior Scholarships
Lil Bartrim - Piano Collins - Piano ds - Percussion Wright - Guitar e Scholarships Gavin - Clarinet Moore - Violin y Smidt - Piano omson - Piano ompson - Flute
Congratulations to Tessa Darby who was awarded the 2022 Student of the Year. Tess has been a much-respected member of the CVCon community for many years and a worthy recipient. We wish Tess all the best as she goes on to study music at the Sydney Conservatorium.
Term 1 Sunday Series Concerts
Adam Wills - Percussion
Valley Conservatorium Director Adam Wills presents an afternoon of on music, including works for a variety of percussion instruments
g music from Bach through to modern composers there is sure to be something for everyone
Sunday, 26 February 3:00pm
Broadway at its Best
Grafton's finest musical theatre performers join forces with the CVCon Orchestra for an evening of Broadway at its Best, songs from some of your favourite musicals
The first half of the program will see the CVCon Jazz Ensemble take the stage performing favourite jazz numbers
id 31 M h
In 2023 we are excited to be able to offer 2 new flute groups for the community.
For players 13 years and under is the Junior Flute Group to rehearse at the Conservatorium after school hours.
Term 4 at CVCon
Choirs, Ensembles & Groups at CVCON
MONDAY:
Good Vibes Choir 1.00-2.30 Brenda Little Theory for Juniors 4.00-4.45 Peter Morgan
Con Kids Chorus 4 00-4 45 Brenda Little Concert Band 4.45-5.30 Peter Morgan Con Youth Chorus 5.00-6.00 Brenda Little Jazz Ensemble 5.40-6.40 Peter Morgan Con Chorus 6.30-7.30 Brenda Little
TUESDAY:
Forget Me Not Choir 10.00-11.30 Jenny W & Leigh R Guitarchestra 5.30-6.30 Luke Gough Adult Combo 6.30-7.30 Kris Edwards
WEDNESDAY:
Pre-Instrumental 3 30-4 00 Wesley Chegwidden Piano Ensemble 4.00-4.45 Jayne Logan Percussion Ensemble 4.00-4.45 Adam Wills String Ensemble 5.30-7.00 Sarah Nicholls
THURSDAY:
Kidzjam 10 30-11 00 Wesley Chegwidden KISS Vocal Group 12.00-1.00 Wesley Chegwidden Pre-Instrumental 3.30-4.00 Wesley Chegwidden Flute Ensemble 5.15-6.00 Sharon Davidge
FRIDAY:
Lunchtime Drum Circle 12 30-1 30 Luke Gough Ensemble/Theory (Seniors) 4.00-4.45 Peter Morgan Sax Ensemble 4.45-5.30 Peter Morgan
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Chairperson - Jenny Worrell
Vice Chairperson - Calvin Terry
Treasurer / Public Officer - Mark Thompson
Members - Bree Dahl, Kate Joseph, Paul Kennedy, Fran McHugh, Deborah Wray
ADMINISTRATION:
Director - Adam Wills
Administration Manager - Vicki Forbes
Finance Manager - Carolyn Maunder
Programs Co-ordinator - Kris Edwards
Projects Officer - Roslyn Kennedy
TUTORS:
Clarinet, Saxophone, Bass Guitar, Adult Combo (Ens) - Kris Edwards
Clarinet, Saxophone - Peter Morgan
Flute, Fife, Piccolo, Panpipes - Sharon Davidge
Guitar: Classical, Folk - Ryan Enns
Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukelele, Music Production - Luke Gough
Guitar, Bottle Neck Slide Guitar, Banjo - Robert Hughes
Guitar, Ukelele, Banjo, Harmonica - Damien Sullivan
Percussion - Adam Wills
Percussion - Wesley Chegwidden
Piano, Piano Accordion - Greta Enns
Piano, Flute, Accompanying - Jayne Logan
Strings n Things (Ensemble) - Sarah Nicholls
Violin, Viola - Cherry Collins
Voice, Choirs - Jill Carter (on leave)
Choirs - Brenda Little
Contact CVCon
Eight Villiers Street, Grafton 02 6643 3555 cvcon@cvcon.nsw.edu.au cvcon.nsw.edu.au
WELCOMEWelcome to the 2023 concerts at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium. We've put together a mix of performances by our students, staff, local musicians and performers from around the state and country.
I hope that you can join us for one, a few or all the concerts we have on offer, I'm looking forward to another fantastic year of music-making.
ADAM WILLS DirectorADAM WILLS
SUNDAY SERIES
Clarence Valley Conservatorium Director Adam Wills presents an afternoon of percussion music, including works for a variety of percussion instruments.
Performing music from Bach through to modern composers there is sure to be something for everyone.
DATE: Sunday 26 February 3:00pm
Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10
AUSTRALIAN VOCAL ENSEMBLE
VISITING ARTISTS SERIES
AVÉ is an elite chamber ensemble that is warm and welcoming to all, consisting of artists of international excellence; Katie Noonan (Artistic Director and Soprano, QLD), Fiona Campbell (Mezzo Soprano, WA), Andrew Goodwin (Tenor, NSW) and Andrew O'Connor (Bass-Baritone, NSW). The ensemble presents vocal performances featuring new Australian works, featuring engagement with our First Nations People.
DATE: Tuesday 14 March 7:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $30 CONCESSION: $20 CHILD: $15
JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND BROADWAY AT ITS BEST
CVCON SERIES
Grafton's finest musical theatre performers join forces with the CVCon Orchestra for an evening of Broadway at its Best, songs from some of your favourite musicals.
The first half of the program will see the CVCon Jazz Ensemble take the stage performing favourite jazz numbers.
DATE: Friday 31 March 7:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $30 CONCESSION: CHILD: $15
JAYNE LOGAN AND GRETA ENNS
SUNDAY SERIES
The duo team of Jayne Logan and Greta Enns returns for their 2023 concert. Featuring an afternoon of piano duets and duos plus works for accordion and piano.
DATE: Sunday 7 May 3:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15
ACACIA QUARTET
VISITING ARTISTS SERIES
Returning to the Clarence Valley in 2023 is the highly acclaimed Acacia Quartet. Featuring string quartets by Beethoven and Schubert as well as a contemporary Australian quartet, the Acacia Quartet are always welcome visitors to the CVCon.
DATE: Saturday 20 May 7:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $30
CONCESSION: $20
BANDS IN THE PARK
CVCON SERIES
The bands of the CVCon will join with bands from local schools to present a free concert in Market Square. Bring along a rug and a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of music performed by students of the region.
DATE: Sunday 4 June 2:00pm Market Square, Grafton Free Concert
THE MUSICAL
FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL
CVCON SERIES
Footloose first burst onto the silver screen in 1984 and proved to be one of the year’s most successful motion pictures. Footloose opened on Broadway on October 22, 1998. The next day, the show broke the box office record for the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it continued to thrill audiences through July 2000.
CVCon students will bring the familiar story to life with a live band comprising students and staff.
DATE: Friday 23 June 7:00pm
Saturday 24 June 3:00pm
Saturday 24 June 7:00pm
Sunday 25 June 3:00pm
Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10
NEXAS QUARTET
VISITING ARTISTS SERIES
At the forefront of chamber music, Nexas Quartet are leaders in promoting existing and creating new repertoire for the saxophone quartet. The group’s success comes from a combination of personalities, virtuosic saxophone skills, and an ability to program concerts of a wide appeal that has seen the musicians perform in a multitude of settings.
DATE: Saturday 5 August 7:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $30 CONCESSION: $20 CHILD: $15
SHARON DAVIDGE
SUNDAY SERIES
CVCon flute tutor Sharon Davidge takes to the stage as part of the 2023 Sunday Series.
Sharon is a seasoned performer and her concerts are always entertaining and insightful.
DATE: Sunday 27 August 3:00pm
Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10
RYAN ENNS
SUNDAY SERIES
Audience favourite and all round entertainer Ryan Enns shows his innate musicality with a varied program of music for guitar.
There are sure to be some surprises included as well.
DATE: Sunday 17 September 3:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10
IF/THEN
CVCON SERIES
Choice and fate collide in this romantic, original story of a woman at the crossroads of her life.
With unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creators of Next to Normal, If/Then is a fascinating, ambitious and original new musical. If/Then simultaneously follows one woman's two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives that we lead, as well as the lives that we might have led.
2023 ST CECILIA'S CONCERT
SUNDAY SERIES
The teachers of the Conservatorium join forces to honour the Patroness Saint of Musicians. Come along and see the wonderful musicians we have here on the teaching staff of the Conservatorium.
Performances will include a variety of solos and duets from CVCon teachers and guests.
DATE: Sunday 19 November 3:00pm Clarence Valley Conservatorium ADULT: $20 CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10
LUKE GOUGH
SUNDAY SERIES
Luke Gough brings us his 2023 Sunday Series concert, showcasing his musicianship with a wide variety of music and genres.
From heavy metal through to delicate guitar work this is surely a concert experience not to be missed.
DATE: Sunday 3 December 3:00pm
Clarence Valley Conservatorium
ADULT: $20
CONCESSION: $15 CHILD: $10