connect through music

YOUR LOCAL WOLLONGONG CONSERVATORIUM COMMUNITY ENSEMBLES ARE WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS

Words Vicky Wallace Images David Rooney

If you’re looking for activities in which to engage or reignite your social network, you don't have to look further than the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (WollCon), which has much to offer by way of community ensembles, choirs and orchestras for musicians of all abilities. Whether you are an orchestral player, singer or just want to be part of a world music-style ensemble, there is a group for you to join. “Our ensembles, which welcome people from across the community, are a vibrant and significant part of our program,” says David Francis, CEO of WollCon.“The breadth of our programs includes a string orchestra, two community ‘bands’ known asThe Con Artists and Curious Rendition Orchestra (or CROW), and the Conservatorium Community Orchestra for more proficient musicians interested in classical music. We also have our adult community choir, the Conchords.These groups all explore a wealth of musical styles and perform across Wollongong and further afield. It’s wonderful that so many members of the community share their love of music by learning and performing together.”

David is a singer himself and until moving to Wollongong was the conductor and musical director of a community choir in Pambula on the far south coast of NSW.

“People love the social aspect of belonging to one of our community ensembles as well as the expert music tuition they receive at the weekly rehearsals,” David says. “The beauty of our community ensembles is that they welcome and accommodate people of all different abilities –there’s no audition process.”

Gwynneville resident Lesley, who at 76 years of age is one of the oldest members of an ensemble at the conservatorium, joined CROW four years ago to fulfil her lifelong dream of playing drums.

“I absolutely love it. It is the highlight of my week. Everyone is learning and mistakes are forgiven,” she says.“My first attempt at playing drums was when I was in kindergarten. I picked

Lesley on drums

up a drum for a music lesson and the teacher promptly took it from me saying, ‘drums aren’t a girls instrument, only for boys’ and handed me a triangle instead. So, at the age of 72, I joined CROW, and nervously turned up on the first night of term. This tall man approached me and obviously noting that I had no instrument asked, ‘What do you want to play?’. I said drums and he guided me to the drum master and I was in. I was a member of an orchestra.”

That tall man Lesley describes is David Rooney, who has been at WollCon for 12 years. He coordinates WollCon’s Schools and Band Programs, is the musical director for the community ensembles, and offers trumpet and brass lessons.

David has created a diverse and vibrant music community in the Illawarra, connecting people of all ages and music abilities, with beginner and intermediate ensembles such as CROW andThe Con Artists, as well as the WollCon Community Orchestra for experienced musicians (from secondary school age to adults).

“Ensembles such as CROW play an important role in the community as a social outlet for less experienced musicians,” says David.“It’s been wonderful to see people like Lesley enjoy the group so much while improving their music ability.The Con Artists Community Band is a huge rambling, all-ages, all-instruments chaotic mess of an ensemble that has somehow brought together so many wonderful community-minded people, and has been responsible for numerous memorable events, spin-off ensembles, and even the annual HONK! Oz Street Music Festival in Wollongong."

The Community String Ensemble, directed by Adrian Davis, is open to adult violin, viola, cello, and bass players. There’s no audition process to join and the ensemble is focused on developing the musical talents of its members.

“People love the social aspect of belonging to one of our community ensembles as well as the expert music tuition they receive”

a range of musical styles. It is important to challenge each student so that they can actually progress their ability,” Adrian says.

Ensemble rehearsals are weekly during term and the group are expected to present at least four concerts to the local community per year.

“This was obviously very difficult during 2021 with no face-to-face teaching or performing possible,” Adrian says.“But I was able to combine all the student recordings from last term into audio files for an end-of-year concert offering.”

And for those who love to sing, the Conchords welcomes beginners and experienced singers aged 16 and over, and no audition is required. Head of Voice at the Conservatorium,Trish Delaney-Brown, has been directing the community choir since 2018 and says the weekly rehearsals are an absolute highlight.

“We laugh a lot, and along with the camaraderie and joy of singing together, it's been so satisfying to take the choir from unison or two-part songs to wonderful ringing three and four-part arrangements,” Trish says. The Conchords is a choir for those who are looking for a more relaxed, fun and easy-going choral experience. With a repertoire spanning rock, jazz, gospel, folk, music theatre, classical and more, it is a choir for everyone who wants to sing, have a good time with others, and be part of a music community.

“We’ve performed at the Wollongong Botanic Garden,VIVA festivals and WollCon open days, and apart from the performance itself, I am always stoked that without fail we have someone approach us after to ask about joining,” says Trish.“If we spark that interest and sense of belonging, it makes me think we are doing something right.” ¡

To be part of a community whose lives are connected through music and the joy of making music together, go to wollcon.com.au/ensembles – Enrol at WollCon: wollcon.com.au/enrolment-application Watch the Con Artists in action at the HonkOZ street festival. Find out when: www.facebook.com/honkfest