Newsletter Issue 1 2015
David Pereira Masterclass
Recorder Ensemble
Autumn settles in…... I’d like to mention just a couple of things this time around, to keep all of our MitCon Community ‘in the loop’. I’m NOT going to blather on about the 2015 concert series, about what a terrific line-up of mainly local artists it is. Although I’m tempted… We do have an impressive crop of highly skilled musicians on staff, and hearing more of them throughout the year in our series of performances is something I’m excited about. But I’ll let you discover that yourselves… look to the Events Schedule at the end of the Newsletter, and check out our 2015 Schedule of events. Delight in it, and celebrate our talent. I will also resist the temptation to talk about our enhanced support from Bathurst Regional Council and how thrilled we are to be planning concerts to take place in the BMEC City Hall, utilising the new Concert Grand Piano we have sourced for that underused venue. You’ll find out about that later in the year as well. Our expanded Rock School for 2015 (July 7 – 10) No, I reckon that’ll be covered later in this newsletter too. What I will mention, however, is the following… A Welcome to some new staff members Karin Hentschel (Flute) comes to us from Sydney after a long career teaching and performing in many of Sydney’s private and public schools. She is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is currently teaching at St Pats in Lithgow, The Cathedral School, The Assumption School and
at the Bathurst division on Thursday afternoons. Karin has also taken over the musical direction of Confluted (MitCon Senior Flute Ensemble). Dr Jason Thornton (Woodwind Specialist) is an internationally successful performer, musician, educator and lecturer. Jason will be commencing tuition as a woodwind specialist in Lithgow and Bathurst from the beginning of Term Two. Jonathan Griffiths is a recent graduate of the Canberra School of Music. He has extensive experience in both drum kit and percussion performance, recording and teaching. Jonathan will be teaching across the whole range of percussion instruments, including, but not limited to, snare drum, timpani, orchestral instruments, marimba, vibraphone, drum kit, and afro-Cuban percussion. Anna Smith is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (B.Mus Ed) and joins us in the Lithgow division as a teacher of Early Childhood Music, Classroom Music and Piano. Anna comes to us with a wealth of experience teaching one to one lessons, adult and school aged ensembles, and early childhood music classes. Please join us in welcoming them to the MitCon teaching and performing team … and…
Graham Sattler Contents David Pereira Masterclass Page 2 Bathurst Chamber Orchestra Page 4 2015 Event Program Page 4 Upcoming events Page 3 to 10 2015 Term Dates Term 1: 2/2/2015 to 4/4/2015 Term 2: 20/4/2015 to 27/6/2015 Term 3: 13/7/2015 to 19/9/2015 Term 4: 5/10/2015 to 19/12/2015 Connect:
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
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I’m thrilled to be formally announcing that Phil Braithwaite has commenced in his new role of Associate Director. In this role, Phil is principally responsible for coordination of educational programs, relationships with schools, student performance opportunities, the early childhood program, the ensembles program and the wind and brass departments. Congratulations Phil! Our MitCon Ensembles program I’d like to encourage all of our existing students - and any prospective students, to get involved in our ensembles. Regardless of age, stage, or experience level, we either have an ensemble that is appropriate, or are keen to start up new ensembles that may not already exist, but are of interest. So… think rock band, bluegrass combo, drumming circle, guitar consort, chamber choir, big band, trombone choir, flute choir, Tibetan throat-singing choir, conch shell choir (OK so the last two might present a little bit of a challenge – but WE LOVE CHALLENGES!) We have such a wealth of experience and musical expertise here at MitCon, we would love to see more groups, (and more types of groups) involved in the joy and rush of group music making. Any queries about possible ensembles, contact Phil Braithwaite, Associate Director, on phil.braithwaite@mitchellconservatorium.edu.au And a reminder…. Schools Workshop Days Awesome Orchestra Day, Colossal Choral Day and Monster Band Day are fast approaching. Please contact Hollie Coleman, Schools Program Coordinator, with any queries. Dates as follows: Awesome Orchestra Day May 19, Colossal Choral Day May 20, Monster Band Day May 21 (and Rock School July 7,8,9,10) Although these take place in Bathurst, we are very keen to involve students from ALL divisions where possible. As always, I welcome all feedback and any suggestions regarding MitCon’s operation. Please let us know how well you think we’re doing in serving our communities. Have a great Term Two!
Contact us: Lithgow division office: 6351 3990 Bathurst division office: 6331 6622
Graham Sattler
Lachlan division office: 6852 3766
Executive Director
NEWS FLASH! Cello Masterclass Mitchell Conservatorium is offering a rare opportunity to all staff and students, strings and cello students in particular, to attend at no cost, a cello masterclass with David Pereira, one of Australia’s most accomplished cellists. David is widely experienced, continuing to evolve as a player, teacher, composer and writer. His playing aims for perfect listening and emotional responsiveness, uncompromised by thought or technical limitation. 3.30pm to 5.00pm Tuesday 28 April 2015 Orchard Room MitCon Bathurst Applications: 6331 6622
Singing Workshop Date just announced for upcoming Singing Workshop: Saturday 30 May, MitCon Parkes Studio. Workshop leader will be Graham Sattler, all Lachlan division singing students are encouraged to attend. Please call the Lachlan office for workshop times and costs in Term Two.
Here’s a shout out Do you love social media? Do you have hundreds of Facebook friends or perhaps your many and varied comments are currently trending number one on Twitter? Or it might be the reverse scenario; do you avoid social media platform at all costs and hide the mobile phone you got for Christmas under the sofa cushions? Either way the Mitchell Conservatorium is currently recruiting music lovers (or otherwise!) to engage with social media during our many and varied concerts throughout the year. If you are social media savvy then please introduce us to your networks or if you are a lone Twitterer then we will share our friends and a bit of tech-know-how with you to get you started. Contact us now for a copy of our 2015 events calendar, choose your concert and go forth and share your opinions with the world. The idea behind this communications strategy is to create a community driven communication hub between the various regions in the central west where the Con hosts concerts from Lithgow, Bathurst, Lachlan, Molong, Gulgong and Conowindra. When you love what we do we want you to please tell your friends, if you don't love what we do then please tell us - Facebook and Twitter are great communication methods to get your - and our message - out there. We love music and want everyone to know! Follow us on Facebook or call the Bathurst office for more details. 2 Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Welcome to Early Childhood Music at the Con! Every one of us is musical and even if you don’t play an instrument or read music you can hum, sing or beat box along with the TV or radio to classical, jazz, country, folk, rock, rhythm and blues, heavy metal or rap! The enjoyment of music is universal and can help us make sense of the world. For young children in their early stages of learning, music assists with speech and intellectual development, social skills and key learning areas. Early childhood music education experts recommend parents and caregivers sing, get into musical ‘play and movement’ and expose children to a range of musical instruments in order to reap these rewards of early childhood exposure to music. The Mitchell Conservatorium offers a carefully sequenced Early Childhood Music Program for children from three months to eight years of age. Also on offer are musical instrument try-outs where children learn in small groups under expert teachers and can ‘try-out’ a range of instruments in order to choose what suits them best. Introduce your child to musical experiences that will enrich their creativity and develop their talents! Lesson costs are competitive and the gift of music education is everlasting.
ECM Trial Classes During Term Two ECM can be shared and enjoyed by new and prospective students through a series of trial sessions where parents can observe and ask questions after the session. Bookings are essential so please call the office to book now! Cindy Fox: Friday 5 June, 11.30 am Studio 1 MitCon Bathurst for children five years and under and Saturday 6 June 12.00 pm Studio 1 MitCon Bathurst for children five years and under. Anna Ossig-Bonnano: Thursday 4 June 4.30 pm Studio 9 MitCon Bathurst for children over five years. Anna Smith: Wednesday 3 June2.00 pm MitCon Lithgow 1.30 pm for children five years and under and Wednesday 3 June 4.00 pm MitCon Lithgow 4.00 pm for children over five years. Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Your own personal orchestra! Did you know that Bathurst has it's very own orchestra? The Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, a Mitchell Conservatorium Ensemble, is a community string orchestra which comprises around 20 local string players including professionals, tertiary music students and gifted amateur players. Past musical directors include Laurie Orchard, Max Reeder and Fiona Thompson all former Directors of the Mitchell Conservatorium. The BCO receives support from the Bathurst Regional Council, and is recognised as one of the region’s leading community orchestras, playing a major role in providing audiences with accessible and affordable opportunities to enjoy live performances of a wide range of well-known and new orchestral repertoire. Alongside performing traditional string-orchestra repertoire, the Orchestra regularly collaborates with professional Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players, as well as other ensembles such as the Allegri Singers for performances of works such as Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation. Current BCO musical director is Andrew Baker, a violin teacher and performer, Music Education Researcher and Arts Manager who lives and works in Central Western New South Wales. Since moving to Orange, Andrew has held the positions of Director of the Mitchell Conservatorium, Lachlan Division; and Assistant Director, Artistic Programs Coordinator and Head of Strings at Orange Regional Conservatorium. In these roles Andrew developed music education and string programs in school and community, individual and ensemble settings as well as conducting orchestras and school-based beginner string programs. Andrew currently teaches in Bathurst, Orange and Parkes/Forbes, and in other regional locations through video conferencing. Andrew performs regularly as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician most recently with the Mitchell String Quartet and the Mitchell Chamber Orchestra. The BCO have a series of concerts scheduled throughout 2015 with their first concert of the year at BMEC on Tuesday 29 April at 7.30pm. The BCO, the Lachlan Community Orchestra and Lithgow Community Orchestra, are open to new members, please call your divisional office for more details.
Finally - the Events Program! After a few tense weeks of necessary date and venue juggling, the Mitchell Conservatorium launched our 2015 event program in March. With written welcomes from Bathurst Mayor Cr Gary Rush and Mit Con Executive Director Graham Sattler the program takes you through all community and concert events right up until December 2015. With a decided focus on chamber music that performance-wise suits great venues such as the Orchard Room at MitCon as well as the ballroom at Abercrombie House concerts cover a wide music program and range of instruments: string quartet, solo piano, vocal recitals from soprano and tenor, flute and piano, clarinet quintet and the list goes on. The Bathurst Chamber Orchestra will be performing in a series on concerts throughout the year with their first appearance at BMEC on Wednesday 29 April for the upcoming Remembering Mrs Macquarie concert with renowned cellist David Pereira and William Barton on didgeridoo. You can find the full printed program at Mitcon reception (Bathurst, Lithgow and Lachlan), and Visitor and Information Centres, Libraries and Art Galleries, across our divisions. Please call 6331 6622 for more information or to request a program be posted to you. Alternatively go online to download a copy: http://issuu.com/mitchellconservatorium/docs/2015_program_high_res__1_
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Is song writing your thing? Are you the next Husky Gawenda or Meg Mac? If you want to try your hand at song writing; enter the Bathurst200 Song Composition Competition now. Open to musicians 18 years and under who live or study in the 2795 post code area the song competition is run by the Mitchell Conservatorium in partnership with the Bathurst Library. The Library ran the very successful Bathurst200 Poetry/Lyric Competition late last year and the seven winning entries are now up for grabs to be set to music. "Composers choose a set of lyrics and the overall winning entry then has the opportunity to be announced and performed live as part of the upcoming Showcase Bathurst200 concert on Sunday 17 May 2.00pm at BMEC" says Graham Sattler. Along with the performance opportunity the winners from two age sections will receive prize money and critical creative feedback from professional experienced composers as part of the assessment process. The annual composition competition has been running at the Con since 2004 and this year has taken on a specific Bathurst200 focus with the set lyrics all written from the perspective of celebrating Bathurst as our home town. Application forms, song lyrics and competition term and conditions are available from reception, MitCon website or by calling the Bathurst office.
Schools Workshop Days MitCon’s annual music workshop days are on again and Bathurst's school halls will soon be alive with the sound of music. Mitchell Conservatorium has just announced dates for its' three school music workshop days, this year to be hosted again by Charles Sturt University. These mini camps are exciting, with a focus on giving student musicians an opportunity to come together in a very large group and experience music in an environment that their school ensembles may not be able to replicate. This can be a great challenge! Attending the workshop means you end up performing alongside other children you may not have even met before. New music in a different setting to normal allows children to extend themselves and their abilities. The students are able to connect with others and really that is what music is all about, coming together and connecting! Awesome Orchestra Day 19 May, Colossal Choral Day 20 May and Monster Band Day 21 May will all take place in their fabulous, light filled venue at the CSU gymnasium. MitCon expect up to 100 plus children to attend each of these workshops and Graham Sattler says "The day is a fun, engaging way to introduce students to playing music in a large group. We have some wonderful conductors and a great program of music on offer.” These events and workshops are offered to all school aged music students from year three to twelve and are completely free. The experiential reward from the day is priceless. For more details or to book your place call 6331 6622.
Bathurst Student Performance Opportunities—SPO’s Congratulations to all performers at the Friday 20 and Sunday 22 March SPO’s in Bathurst. Upcoming SPO’s are 7.00pm Friday 5 and 3.00pm Sunday 7 June as well as 7.00pm Friday 31 July and 3.00pm Sunday 2 August. If you would like to take up this invitation to perform to an audience and receive positive feedback and development guidance, please call the Bathurst office now. Limited places still available for all dates. Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
Lithgow: 1.00pm Mitchell Conservatorium 2 Wylde Street Lithgow Thursdays: 18 June, 13 August, 19 November Bathurst: 1.00pm All Saints’ Cathedral Church Street Bathurst Wednesdays: 6 May, 3 June, 1 July, 5 August Forbes: 1.00pm Town Hall Harold Street Forbes Wednesdays: 10 June, 12 August, 18 November Mitchell Conservatorium Lunchtime Concert Series are free admission for the community with an occasional request for a gold coin donation to cover additional venue heating costs.
MitCon Scholarship Concerts Bathurst division: Mitchell Conservatorium Russell Street Bathurst 1.30pm and 4.00pm Saturday 2 May 2015 Lithgow division: Mitchell Conservatorium 2 Wylde Street Lithgow 2.00pm Sunday 14 June 2015 Lachlan division: Forbes Services Club 6.30pm Friday 13 November 2015
Upcoming Community Concerts Showcase Bathurst200 Sunday 17 May 2.00pm | BMEC Bathurst Ensembles Concert Sunday 31 May 3.00pm | BCCC Bathurst Rock School Open Mic Friday 10 July 6.00pm | Elephant and Castle Bathurst Winter Showcase Sunday 23 August 3.00pm | BCCC Bathurst Bathurst Spring Garden Spectacular Sat 31 October & Sun 1 November | Bathurst gardens Bathurst City & RSL 130th Anniversary Band Festival Sunday 22 November | Machattie Park Christmas on Keppel Saturday 28 November | Bathurst Library forecourt Reliance Carols by Candlelight Sunday 13 December 6.00pm | Machattie Park
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 1 2015
2015 Mitchell Conservatorium Upcoming Concerts What my Mother told me….. Vivaldi’s cello sonatas and Folksongs by Ann Carr-Boyd and Elena Kats-Chernin. We explore the intimate and personal in music for cello and harpsichord. With Rita Woolhouse (cello) and Diana Weston (harpsichord), with a little help from Bathurst’s own soprano Narelle Hissey. Program includes Vivaldi Cello Sonatas, Ann Carr-Boyd Folksongs and Elena Kats Chernin The Birch Tree.
Rita Woolhouse – cello, Diana Weston – harpsichord and Narelle
Remembering Mrs Macquarie Enjoy a concert of exhilarating and exciting live music especially to celebrate Bathurst200. This special performance will feature an opportunity to hear what is believed to be Mrs Macauarie's 1814 cello (from the Museum of Sydney collection, Sydney Living Museums) performed by David Pereira one of Australia’s most accomplished cellists. Enjoy a diverse program featuring the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra with William Barton on didgeridoo.
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra and David Pereira—cello, William
Across Australia Artists react to the people and places that surround them; creating works that represent a diversity of contexts. Evoking seas, skies, and the landscapes in between, this program showcases the responses of some of Australia’s eminent composers, past and present. Featured works include: Ross Edwards - Nura, Miriam Hyde - Five Solos, Jan Preston - Eat Chocolate and Cry, Peter Sculthorpe - Songs of Sea and Sky and two short solos for flute and piano.
Phil Braithwaite flute, Cindy Fox piano
Avan Yu and the Mitchell Chamber Orchestra A recital by Avan Yu was a highlight of the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre 2014 Season prompting an invitation for him to return in 2015. Joining Avun will be the Mitchell Chamber Orchestra, western New South Wales’ newest professional chamber orchestra, the flagship ensemble of the Mitchell Conservatorium Chamber Music Academy.
Avan Yu and the Mitchell Chamber Orchestra
Mitchell String Quartet MSQ members, Andrew Baker, Nicholas Newell, Fiona Thompson and Sybbi Georgiou, have been presenting chamber music concerts in the central west for over 30 years. MSQ is passionate about offering high quality, beautiful, accessible and well known chamber music repertoire to Central West audiences, as a regular feature of our concert calendar. Cindy Fox joins the quartet for this program as pianist in the magnificent Schumann Piano Quintet.
Mitchell String Quartet, Cindy Fox—piano
The Bathurst Chamber Orchestra BCO and is recognised as one of the region’s leading community orchestras, playing a major role in providing audiences with accessible and affordable opportunities to enjoy live performances of a wide range of well-known and new orchestral repertoire. Alongside performing traditional string-orchestra repertoire, the Orchestra regularly collaborates with professional Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players, as well as other ensembles such as the Allegri Singers for performances of works such as Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation.
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, Leader/Conductor Andrew Baker
Hissey – soprano Sunday April 26 3.00pm MitCon Bathurst Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 Schoolaged MitCon students FREE
Barton—didgeridoo Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm BMEC Tickets: $10 adults $5 concession BMEC: box office (02) 6333 6161
Friday 8 May 7.30pm MitCon Lithgow Saturday 9 May 7.30pm MitCon Bathurst Sunday 10 May 3.00pm Town Hall Forbes Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 Schoolaged MitCon students FREE
Conductor: Ben Macpherson OAM Tuesday 12 May 8.00pm Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre William Street Bathurst Tickets: BMEC Box Office 02 6333 6161
Friday 5 June 7.30pm MitCon Lithgow Saturday 6 June 7.30pm MitCon Bathurst Sunday 7 June 3.00pm Town Hall Forbes Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 Schoolaged MitCon students FREE
Friday 19 June 7.30pm Uniting Church Bathurst Saturday 20 June 3.00pm Oberon High School Oberon Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 Schoolaged MitCon students FREE
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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