Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Maria Raspopova
Omega Ensemble
Gil Sullivan
piano
Welcome to Term Three at the Mitchell Conservatorium! The first half of the year has flown by, with more than a little Bathurst Bicentennial business, Lithgow liveliness and plenty of action (but thankfully little alliteration) in Forbes, Parkes and surrounds. As you are aware, our 2015 schedule of events has had a greater emphasis on showcasing local talent, and the first 6 months of this new direction has been a joy to watch and hear. We’ve had everything from scholarship holders’ concerts to chamber music and orchestral events, schools’ workshops and a handful visiting artist presentations. Any day now or newlyexpanded Rock School will be taking over our Bathurst venue for four glorious days of creativity, our wonderful Mitchell Young Voices will be strutting their stuff as part of Patch Theatre’s The Moon’s a Balloon professional production at BMEC in Bathurst, and not too far away is our annual Adult String Workshop – this year to be held at the inspiring Flannery Centre in Bathurst, thanks to our new partnership with Skillset Senior College. And farewell to some good friends... We have had some changes take place since the last newsletter, some exciting, but some a little sad. After nearly eleven years of intensive contribution to our Lachlan area activity, Jenelle Coady has retired. Jenelle is moving out of the area, and into another exciting period of her life. Although she’s sad to be leaving, she recognises that the timing is right, and we wish her all the best. You’ve been a trouper Jenelle, and it just won’t be the same without you.
The challenge of filling the shoes of the marvellous Ms Coady is a job for, well, more than just one! In addition to new teacher, Barb Thomas and another we are in the midst of engaging now (sorry, in the process of appointment as I write, can’t confirm till after this is published), existing staff members - Micheile Blunt, Adam Enslow, Kerriean Hood and… Graham Sa… Sa…(someone… works mainly out of our Bathurst studios apparently) are taking up the challenge. Another sad farewell at the end of term 2 is to Oliver Harris. Oli will be moving on to a full-time position in the area, so we won’t be losing track of each other completely, but we will be losing his teaching skills. Oli’s student load has been reorganised and the announcement of the new teacher for relevant students will be made before term starts. Some welcome developments… As mentioned briefly above, Barb Thomas has joined our Lachlan team in the last couple of weeks of Term Two. Barb is a highly experienced teacher and we are thrilled to have her on board. She is making quite an impact already with voice and piano students, and a little birdy has mentioned that beginner violin groups may be on the horizon with Barb, so fingers crossed (not recommended while playing the violin, though). Other exciting developments include our new relationship with Skillset Senior College. . Our weekly involvement with this brand new school (established in Term One 2015) Continued page 2
Graham Sattler Contents Upcoming Masterclasses Page 2 Event round-up pics Page 3 Rock School Page 4 Upcoming events Page 5 to 7 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:
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Continued from page 1
sees Jonathon Griffiths leading what has become a weekly Samba program there. We are also thrilled to have recently commenced programs at both Cullen Bullen and Zig Zag Public Schools. Thanks for the great work in setting both of these up go to Phil Braithwaite and Annette Milroy. Last but not least, all of our studio locations are now connected virtually by Videoconferencing capability. Need a harp teacher in Parkes? A bassoon teacher in Lithgow? A horn teacher in Bathurst? We’ve got you covered! The extending umbrella of MitCon We are thrilled to be announcing that following two fantastic workshops with the internationally experienced conductor Paul Smith, the Lithgow Community Orchestra will now be rehearsing regularly, under the baton of Maestro Smith, as a formal member of the MitCon ensembles stable, utilising the terrific MitCon Lithgow main rehearsal studio. Next cabs off the rank will be the new MitCon Contemporary Ensembles Program (CEP), currently being established by our Coordinator of Guitar, Singing, Piano and Percussion programs, Cindy Fox, and a brand new brazen, blazin’, tenor sax group led by Dr Jason Thornton. The aim of CEP is to cater to the many students who are interested in pop, rock, jazz, and to provide diversity within the conservatorium community. This program will begin in Term Three, and build on the work of our annual Rock School workshops. The sax group (and yes, we’ll be looking for a suitable pun-based name) is planned to be 10-strong, tenor-centric and tenor-riffic. They’ll start off as beginners, and no doubt, before too long … be rivalling the ‘other’ ten tenors! It looks like I’ve run out of space again, but before I go, please remember that we are here to respond to your needs and musical desires. Regardless of age, stage, instrument, voice-type, experience level… we will meet your needs with a program that already exists… or one that we can start. We have a wealth of experience and musical expertise here at MitCon, so whatever your musical bent… just sing out…Any queries about tuition programs or ensembles, contact Phil Braithwaite, Associate Director, on phil.braithwaite@mitchellconservatorium.edu.au or me on graham.sattler@mitchellconservatorium.edu.au. All feedback and any suggestions regarding MitCon’s operation are always welcome. One last word.. toi toi to Michelle Griffin, Musical Director for the upcoming Carillon Theatrical Society production of High School Musical, and to all the MitCon students in the cast… Have a blast! Contact us: Lithgow office: 6351 3990 Bathurst office: 6331 6622 Graham Sattler
Lachlan office: 6852 3766
Executive Director
Upcoming Workshops and Masterclasses Rock School Mitchell Conservatorium Bathurst 10am to 4.00pm daily Tuesday 7 July to Friday 10 July 2015 Open mic 6pm, Friday 10 @ Elephant & Castle Hotel Omega Ensemble Piano and clarinet Master Classes Registration by invitation only for advanced students Observers welcome Mitchell Conservatorium Bathurst Friday 24 July 2015 Mitchell Conservatorium Lachlan Saturday 25 July 2015 Student Performance Opportunity Mitchell Conservatorium Bathurst 6.00pm Friday 31 July 2015 3.00pm Sunday 2 August 2015 Adult String Workshop Flannery Centre, Havannah Street Bathurst Fri: 3pm to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 9am to 5pm Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September 2015 Gil Sullivan Piano Masterclass Professional Development for piano teachers Mitchell Conservatorium Bathurst Times to be advised Thursday 1 October 2015 Friday 2 October 2015
Fees: $150 Please complete the registration form available from the office
Free for all attendees Please complete the registration form available from the office
Free for all attendees Please complete the registration form available from the office Fees: $150 Please complete the registration form available from the office Fees: to be advised Please complete the registration form available from the office early September
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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Newsletter Issue 2 2015
MitCon event round-up…….
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra Remembering Mrs Macquarie BMEC Bathurst Lithgow Scholarship students Patrick Woodrow piano and Callum Woodrow xylophone
Bathurst Scholarship student Zari Newell cello
Song Company Masterclass, Bathurst
Allegri Singers, MitCon Ensembles Concert Bathurst Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
Newsletter Issue 2 2015
Lithgow: 1.00pm Mitchell Conservatorium 2 Wylde Street Lithgow Thursdays: 13 August, 19 November Bathurst: 1.00pm All Saints’ Cathedral Church Street Bathurst Wednesdays: 1 July, 5 August, 2 September, 7 October, 4 November Forbes: 1.00pm Town Hall Harold Street Forbes Wednesdays: 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 Auditions Lachlan studio: Mitchell Conservatorium 11 Spring Street Forbes Sunday 16 August, applications close Monday 3 August 2015 Bathurst studio: Mitchell Conservatorium Russell Street Bathurst Saturday 22 August, applications close Monday 10 August 2015 Lithgow studio: Mitchell Conservatorium 2 Wylde Street Lithgow Sunday 23 August, applications close Monday 10 August 2015 Application forms will be available from the office and our website from Monday 13 July 2015 Application fee: $15
Upcoming Community Concerts Rock School Open Mic Friday 10 July 6.00pm | Elephant and Castle Hotel 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 2 2015
2015 Mitchell Conservatorium Upcoming Concerts Once, Our Comrades On the centenary of the Anzac landing, The UCO presents a concert inspired by and dedicated to the sacrifices made by those who go to war. Two new works, Once, Our Comrades and Anzac Cove, have been specifically composed by M.Giga Jeleskovic for this deeply moving program.
Uzunstein Chamber Orchestra Friday 26 June 6.00pm Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Keppel Street Bathurst Adults $40 BRAGS members and Concession $35 Bookings: BRAG 6333 6555
TechniCOLOUR In an exciting new program by duo Andrew Baker (violin) and Cindy Fox (piano), expect every musical shade from the colour spectrum of the early twentieth century. With influences from the drama, dance, film and folk worlds, light, brilliance and fire are juxtaposed against misery, despair and anguish.
Andrew Baker violin and Cindy Fox piano Wednesday 8 July 7.30pm MitCon Lithgow Thursday 9 July 7.30pm MitCon Bathurst Saturday 11 July 3.00pm Town Hall Forbes Sunday 12 July 3.00pm St Johns’ Church Molong Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 School aged MitCon students FREE
The Moon’s a Balloon Exploration, play and invention are at the heart of the way children make friends. The Moon’s a Balloon celebrates balloons, play and friendship in a visual-theatre-fest of music, image, light and story that will delight and inspire the hearts and minds of audiences of all ages.
Featuring the Mitchell Young Voices Wednesday 22 July 6.30pm Thursday 23 July 10.00am and 1.00pm Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre William Street Bathurst Tickets: BMEC Box Office 02 6333 6161
Omega Ensemble Following the success of Omega’s Regional Tour in 2014, the Ensemble returns with concerts in Molong, Bathurst, Lithgow and Forbes in 2015, performing with internationally renowned Australian Soprano, Jane Sheldon. Omega will be performing a diverse selection of works for soprano, clarinet and piano. Mitchell String Quartet Mitchell String Quartet’s (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. Justin Screen joins the Quartet for this program as clarinettist for Mozart’s beautiful Clarinet Quintet and Glazunov’s Oriental Reverie.
Omega Ensemble with Jane Sheldon soprano Thursday 23 July 7.30pm MitCon Lithgow Friday 24 July 7.30pm Abercrombie House Bathurst Saturday 25 July 3.00pm Town Hall Forbes Sunday 26 July 3.00pm St John’s Anglican Church Molong Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 School aged MitCon students FREE
A 20th Century Feast BCO 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 wellknown and new orchestral repertoire.
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, Leader/Conductor Andrew Baker Friday 14 August 7.30pm Uniting Church Bathurst Saturday 15 August 3.00pm Oberon High School Oberon Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 School aged MitCon students FREE
From Beethoven to Brazil Concerts in historic churches of Western NSW Georg Mertens on cello and Sam Carter on guitar. Program includes Beethoven, Burgmueller, Vivaldi, Schumann and Vila Lobos. http://www.georgcello.com/cello.htm#church
Georg Mertens, cello and Sam Carter, guitar Sunday 6 September 3.00pm Anglican Christ Church, Adelaide Street Blayney Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 School aged MitCon students FREE
MSQ with Justin Screen, clarinet Friday 7 August 7.30pm Eskbank House Lithgow Saturday 8 August 7.30pm MitCon Bathurst Sunday 9 August 3.00pm Town Hall Forbes Adults $30 Concession $20 Family of Four $80 School aged MitCon students FREE
Mitchell Conservatorium Inc │ www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au │ Lithgow Bathurst Lachlan
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