In Tune
With MITCHELL CONSERVATORIUM Enriching lives with Music January 2012 Edition # 25 Member of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums
ABN 47 650 782 985
From the Director
Office reopens
Giving children a musical opportunity is not only about entertainment but can provide an important sense of achievement, positive self worth and a lifetime appreciation of creativity. Do you know a preschooler who would just love to join a music and movement class? Do you know school students who have a musical talent that should be nurtured? Children today are typically passive and solitary in their exploration of their creativity as our lives are dominated by TV, computers and the internet. Music is all about participation; engaging the brain and the person in many different ways - fine motor skills to emotions, communication skills to team work. Playing a musical instrument enables a child to explore their own creativity, allows them to communicate in a way that words cannot, enables them to share their creative experience with others as a performer and as a member of an ensemble. Above all playing an instrument is fun! There are loads of activities over the next few months for students & local musicians; Mitchell Con is at the CSU Kids Day Out, the annual Sparkling Stars concert showcases our scholarship winners and composition competition winners, ANU will be running a string orchestra workshop at All Saints’ College followed by an evening performance in the Cathedral. Not to be missed are the Mitchell Con Colossal Choral Day and the first of the Monster Band Days and the student performance opportunities; brochures are available from the reception area and you can book in at the office. In Term 1 there are locally inspired concerts & Visiting Artists to thrill you; two concerts to celebrate Valentine’s Day with local professional musicians, pianist Cindy Fox and violinist Sarah Coghlan, the entertaining jazz quartet, The Vampires are back with the fabulous Jeremy Rose on Sax and the awesome Alec Masso on drums & returning also is renown pianist Simon Tedeschi (to play a concerto with the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra). Getting the word out there! We work hard to let everyone know what’s on! This year Mitchell Conservatorium will be especially targeting radio so listen out for us on AM & FM, digital & community stations alike. Have a great Term everyone!
MITCHELL CONSERVATORIUM INC www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au bathurst@mitchellconservatorium.edu.au
Mitchell Conservatorium offices will reopen Monday 23 January. Accounts may be paid by Bpay before this date. Please check for details on your invoice.
2012 Term 1 dates & details Monday 30 January to Saturday 7 April (10 wks) NB 6 April is Good Friday; check with your teacher regarding lessons on this day Fees due by Friday 3 February If you have difficulties paying your account please contact the office; make sure you avoid overdue & late fees! Remember 3 weeks notice in writing to the office is required when cancelling lessons. Further information regarding fees; The tuition fees have increased inline with the CPI. Instrument Hire fee is $71.50 per term Account reminder fee is now $10 Late fee is now $35
Colossal Choral Day Tuesday 27 March All Saints Cathedral All school age singers are welcome
Monster Band Day #1 Wednesday 28 March St Stanislaus’ College All students attending Catholic Primary schools are welcome to attend. For more details call Gareth Bullock 6331 6622
P (02) 6331 6622 F (02) 6332 2995 PO Box 1387 Bathurst NSW 2795 West Wing Court House Russell St Bathurst NSW 2795
Participate and be inspired! Molto espressivo Sadly, over the past month the communities of Lithgow and Bathurst have lost two champions of their local music scenes; piano teacher at the Conservatorium in Lithgow for 18 years and a regular performer, Maureen Newell, whose students always gained top marks in their exams and regularly won sections in Eisteddfods across the Central West, and in Bathurst, community musician Bill Bergen, who was a shining example of someone for whom music was an integral & important part of life whilst working as a school teacher and businessman.
Teacher news!
Instrument try outs in Bathurst
Musicianship/Music Craft
I have often written about the benefits of learning & understanding the theory of music to better support and prepare you for playing your instrument! David McKay recently showed a class of Grade 1 Music Craft students how to practise their AMEB music theory online; it was so much fun and the students caught on really quickly! There are some continuing & new (in italics*) classes available however Children 5 to 8 years old have the these will only run if there are enough opportunity to try violin, cello, drums, students enrolled. guitar, flute, trumpet, singing and piano Bathurst over a 10 week term. These popular sessions have been very successful with Monday 5pm Music Craft Grade 2 2 to 3 children from each session (progressing to Gr3 M/ship with aural) taking up an instrument. Parents Tuesday 4pm Musicianship Gr5/6 receive a feedback report regarding *Tuesday 5pm Musicianship Gr4 their child’s aptitude for each instrument and if their child Wednesday 5pm Music Craft Gr 2 commences lessons the following term Thursday 5.30pm Musicology Gr3 a 20% discount is applied to the term (Gr 3 musicianship/music craft aural) fee. Only five spots are available each Friday 3.30pm Music Craft Prelim term, so put your name down at the Friday 4.30pm Music Craft Gr1 office soon! *Saturday 1.45pm Music Craft Prelim
Farewell and best wishes in retirement to Judy Kinnear (Lithgow) and Bronwyn Stone (Bathurst). Best wishes for her move to a school in western Sydney; Kate Marskell (Bathurst) Welcome to Stephanie Baker, violin (Bathurst) Congratulations to Hollie and Luke Coleman; by the time you read this newsletter their baby will have arrived! Lessons times are still available for the following instruments; Tune in to new Radio spots Piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, 2MCE 92.3 & 94.7FM clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, Armchair Concert Series trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, drums, voice (classical and popular). Join Mitchell Conservatorium Publicity Enquiries and bookings at the office and Promotions Officer Christine Sweeney and Mitchell Conservatorium regarding teachers, days and times. teacher and Blogger David McKay every fortnight on 2MCE for our new BlogSpot - YouTube radio program. Includes live music, Facebook - Website interviews and all things instrumental One of the best ways to stay up to date including delving into the archives of with what is on offer at your Mitchell Conservatorium musicians Conservatorium is to regularly check out concert recordings. Every second our website (maintained by Christine Monday 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Sweeney); you can also sign up to commences in February. receive this newsletter by email. Check out the Cons BlogSpot ABC Central West 107.1FM (maintained by David McKay) for 100 Mile Music information, quirky facts & activities. Join the Mitchell Conservatorium for a Sign up for Mitchell Cons facebook and feast of local composers, musicians and YouTube to receive regular invitations performances from the Central West. to events and see some great clips of As a guest of the Morning Show with recent performances. Angela Owens, Christine Sweeney will Western Advocate school blog is introduce Mitchell Conservatorium specially for school and student news, so visiting musicians, upcoming events send us your news and pics so we can and unusual musical titbits. add them to the brag album! Check out 10.40am to 11.00am, every fourth this link to see what’s there now Tuesday of the month, commences www.westernadvocate.com.au/blogs/ 7 February. mitchellconservatorium
Book in at the office from 23 January! Classes are only $87 per term.
Learning an instrument at school
Mitchell Conservatorium teachers visit many schools in town & regional areas across the Central West. These qualified and experienced teachers offer tuition on a wide variety of instruments; violin, drums and guitar to all band instruments. For more information about learning an instrument at school please call your nearest Mitchell Conservatorium Office; Bathurst 6331 6622 Lithgow 6351 3990 Forbes/Parkes 6852 3766 If you would like a Conservatorium teacher to visit your school please call us to discuss arrangements.
Delight; live music is best Arts NSW projects 2012 will be the third year that Mitchell Conservatorium has received funding for performance projects. This year the two successful applications include the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra working with the renown pianist Simon Tedeschi and later in the year the Tallis Quartet; touring to the 3 divisions of this Conservatorium the orchestra will also include student and teachers from across the Central West. The second project is to showcase the quality & talent of the musicians who live and work across the Central West; solo pianist from Lithgow, a wind quintet, a string sextet, a trio based in Parkes and a Baroque style ensemble featuring a real harpsichord played by a specialist harpsichordist! I look forward to seeing you at what promises to be a truly outstanding series of performances which demonstration the rich and varied musical culture we enjoy living in the Central West.
Simon Tedeschi with the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra Friday 16 March 7.30pm Lithgow (venue to be confirmed) Saturday 17 March 7.30pm All Saints’ Cathedral Bathurst Sunday 18 March 3pm Forbes Town hall
Mozart’s Piano Concerto K 459 will be the featured work for these concerts; written when Mozart was 18 years old, he performed this work at the Coronation of Leopold the Second. It has a fanfare style theme which dominates the first movement, a graceful & lilting second movement and an energetic & celebratory finale.
We need you! Mitchell Conservatorium presents a wide variety of concerts throughout the year. We need volunteers to help with stage managing, poster drop, ‘on the door’ and even photography at concerts and events. Please put your name down at the office if you are interested in helping us! Let us know if there is a specific concert you would like to help with; be the first to put your name down to see your favourite performer in concert! Scholarship winners are expected to assist at concerts as part of their award.
Scholarship winners concerts Saturday 31 March 2.30pm & 5pm The Orchard Room Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst These concerts will also showcase performances of the 2011 Composition Competition winners. There will be presentations by our generous sponsors. Following the concert you are invited to join us for delicious refreshments kindly provided by the Bathurst Friends. The usual photos and video recordings will be available. This concert is listed in the Autumn Colours 2012 brochure.
Jazz Band with Rob Shannon Are you looking for a fun band which gets lots of performance opportunities? Do you want to learn or develop your improvising skills?
Mitchell Con’s Jazz band with Rob Shannon is the best deal in town! Rob’s extensive experience in bands and the art of improvisation together with his energetic fun approach makes belonging to this group exciting and rewarding! Currently the band rehearses on Mondays 6.15 - 7pm in Studio 6 Rob is looking for keen & committed players of keyboard, guitar, bass, brass, woodwind and violinists; are all welcome! This group is FREE for students learning an instrument at Mitchell Conservatorium.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the sweet romance of violin & piano
ANU Chamber Orchestra Friday 23 March Workshop 1.30 - 3pm All Saints College Concert 7.30pm All Saints’ Cathedral Returning to Bathurst for a third year the ANU Chamber Or chestr a comprises tertiary students and staff at the ANU School of Music. Their performances provide a preview of the Canberra International Music Festival which runs throughout May. Several students from Regional Conservatoriums across the Central West, currently studying at the School of Music, have featured in past tours. This year there will be a workshop for string players hosted by All Saints’ College. Local string players will join the ANU Chamber Orchestra in the evening concert at the Cathedral.
Sunday 12 February 3pm Tuesday 14 February 7pm The Orchard Room Mitchell Conservatorium This violin and piano duo showcases two fine Bathurst musicians; Sarah Coghlan and Cindy Fox. Sunday afternoon will be in concert format and Tuesday night includes wine and a light Supper. Whichever style takes your fancy you can be sure that the music of Elgar, Faure and frank will transport and uplift you!
WHATS ON’ at the Con from January to March 2012 Mitchell Conservatorium tries to keep ticket costs reasonable at all times. Sunday Mitchell Conservatorium Musicians 12 February Valentine’s Day Soirée 3pm and Celebrate Valentines Day with some of the world’s most beautiful music Tuesday written for the classic combination of violin and piano. Local duo, 14 February Sarah Coghlan (violin) and Cindy Fox (piano) will entertain you with a 7pm relaxing evening of music and magic. Experience the enchantment of The Orchard Room Elgar’s often overlooked Sonata, opus 82, the fantasy of Franck’s Sonata Mitchell Con in A major and the sublime beauty of Faure’s Sonata, opus 13. Russell St Bathurst Friday 16 March 7.30pm Lithgow Saturday 17 March 7:30pm Bathurst Sunday 18 March 3pm Forbes Friday 23 March 7pm All Saints Cathedral Church St, Bathurst
Sunday 25 March 3.00pm Miss Traill’s House 321 Russell St, Bathurst Tuesday 27 March Concert 5pm All Saints Cathedral Church St, Bathurst
Mitchell Conservatorium Visiting Artist
Simon Tedeschi with the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra Internationally recognised concert pianist Simon Tedeschi joins the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra on a central west tour. An inspiring program of music will ensure this concert as one of the highlights of the year. Further details regarding venues to be advised. This tour is made possible through a grant from Arts NSW.
Tuesday Concert $35 all tickets; includes wine, antipasti, cheese and dessert Limited seating; tickets must be pre-purchased Tickets at the door: $30 Adult $20 Concession School age children FREE
Mitchell Conservatorium Visiting Artist
Tickets at the door: $20 Adult The ANU Chamber Orchestra 2012 Outreach Tour comes to Bathurst $15 Concession for the third year. This tour represents the collaboration between the $5 School age children ANU and the Canberra International Chamber Music Festival.. Guest artists include local student and community string players. Music to delight and surprise!
ANU Chamber Orchestra Central West tour
Mitchell Conservatorium Musicians
Jazz on the Verandah
Tickets at the gate: Fabulous local Jazz musicians present the perfect Sunday afternoon $15 Adult concert in the gardens of this wonderful National Trust property. Bring $10 Concessions and Seniors a picnic rug, food and wine available for purchase. Please note Mitchell Conservatorium is partnering with Miss Traill’s House for this fundraiser Mitchell Conservatorium Schools Program
Workshop 9.30am - 2.30pm Register through your school All school age students are invited to participate in this colossal singing or at the Mitchell Con office extravaganza. Guest conductor will be the energetic and experienced Concert 5pm David Russell, returning for his second Mitchell Con choral day. FREE EVENT
Colossal Choral Day
Mitchell Conservatorium Schools Program Wednesday Monster Band Day #1 28 March Calling all members of Catholic Primary School Bands! This was so Concert 5pm much fun last year so let’s get together again for another mega monster St Stanislaus’ music day followed by a public concert. College Guest conductor will once again be the awesome Paul Hughes! Brilliant St, Bathurst Saturday 31 March 2.30pm & 5pm The Orchard Room Mitchell Con Russell St Bathurst
Sunday Concert Tickets at the door: $20 Adult, $15 Concession
Workshop 9.30am - 2.30pm Register through your school or at the Mitchell Con office Concert 5pm FREE EVENT
Mitchell Conservatorium Students
Young Sparkling Stars Concert 2012 Outstanding performances from Mitchell Con’s top students. Features Entry by $ note donation guest performances from prize winning Composition Competition musicians and presentations by sponsors.
MITCHELL CONSERVATORIUM INC www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au bathurst@mitchellconservatorium.edu.au
P (02) 6331 6622 F (02) 6332 2995 PO Box 1387 Bathurst NSW 2795