Elder Conservatorium

04/07/2024

In our final Lunchtime Concert for the semester, five outstanding percussion graduates of the Elder Conservatorium (Sami Butler, Andrew Penrose, Jack De La Lande, Max Ziliotto and Ryan Grunwald) come together to perform a gripping program of percussion music, featuring works by Nigel Westlake, Philip Glass, Elena Kats-Chernin, Mark Ford, John Psathas and Mozart! 🥁

Friday 5 July 1.10pm
Elder Hall

Tickets available via the link below:👇
https://uofa.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/130156

04/07/2024

"...a near-perfect concert..." ★★★★½ - Limelight

The Australian String Quartet return to Elder Hall this Fri 5 July with an “edge-of-your-seat” (Limelight) program of music including Beethoven’s String Quartet No.12, a “dazzling” new work from Harry Sdraulig and Korngold’s playful and romantic second quartet.

More info and tickets at

A powerful program of music from Beethoven, Korngold and Harry Sdraulig that radically extends the boundaries of the string quartet.

28/06/2024

We were lost for words after two utterly beautiful song cycles by Robert and Clara Schumann, performed by world-acclaimed tenor, Kyle Stegall and Elder Conservatorium Director, Professor Anna Goldsworthy. Thank you both for a wonderful concert!

23/06/2024

Third-year viola student Tim Tran has won the Under 25 string solo section at the Adelaide Eisteddfod performing with Simón Pazos Quintana on piano. This coming June, Tim will be performing with the Australian Youth Orchestra, as will honours viola student Bridget McCullough. The recently formed OMA String Quartet coached by Stephen King and Helen Ayres also won first prize at the Eisteddfod in the Chamber Music section. Congratulations to violinists Aiya Ishino and Alanna Kennedy, violist Annika Ganesh and cellist Sherry Cheng! 👏 🏆 🎻

22/06/2024

On Thursday 6 June Samstag Museum of Art launched its Kudila season with 'Mulka Yata (The Knowledge of Place)' which features a sonambient sculpture titled 'Barrabarra' (to make a rushing noise) by Dylan and Christopher Crismani, jointly commissioned by Arts SA and Samstag Museum of Art. The piece responds to the work of Adnyamathanha artist Kristian Coulthard's work and crosses the boundary between musical instrument and visual-art sculpture. Admission to the Mulka Yata exhibition is free, Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5.00pm until Friday 20 September 2024.

21/06/2024

What an absolute treat! Thank you Sophie Rowell and Kristian Chong - Pianist for such a delicate and sensitive performance of works by Schubert, Paul Stanhope and Ravel. Congratulations🍾🎉

20/06/2024

'... this year's PianoLab concert series comprised five concerts over 14 and 15 June, offering a more condensed but no less diverse, innovative and high-quality program. [...] Importantly, this series confirms PianoLab's significance in exploring and promoting the development and presentation of piano music.'

– Limelight

The second iteration of PianoLab was held at ILA (Adelaide's Centre of Immersive Light and Art) last weekend (Friday 14–Saturday 15 June). Co-curated by Lewis Godwin (Creative Producer at ILA) and composer, pianist and Elder Conservatorium alumnus Benjamin Nicholls, the two-day festival showcased an eclectic and intriguing array of performances, offering a place for traditional piano recitals to meet digital technologies and experimental composition.

Vivian Choi Milton opened the festival with a solo recital program of Liszt, Messiaen and Kate Moore in The Lab, before Tim Koch and Andrew Lang explored the question 'what space is left for the piano in 2024?' with granular synthesis, live sampling, and generative visuals, supported by a unique collaboration from electronic musician Anders Bogdanowicz, contemporary performance artist Jazmine Deng, and multimedia digital artist Max Brading.

On Saturday afternoon, the wonderful Eurelia Trio (Paris Netting, violin; Hamish Netting, cello; and Yundi Yuan, piano) performed Mikhail Glinka's 'Trio pathétique', and Simón Pazos Quintana gave a scintillating performance of two works by Mosolov. As evening arrived, Dr Helen Ayres (violin) and Michael Ierace (piano) played masterpieces by Lili Boulanger, Debussy and Ravel, setting up a beautiful dialogue with the Impressionist-jazz influences behind the work of emerging jazz pianist, singer and composer Ciara Ferguson. The festival culminated in the Light Room Studio with Corin Ileto's 'Lux Aeterna'; and Sebastian Collen, Maryam Rahmani and CAPITAL WASTE's 'Trapezia'. A special thanks to the City of Adelaide, Australian Piano Warehouse and Recitals Australia for supporting PianoLab in 2024!

Read the full review:
https://limelight-arts.com.au/reviews/review-pianolab-immersive-light-and-art/

📷: Oscar Lewis

20/06/2024

The Jazz department were blessed with Australian jazz royalty as bassist Sam Anning brought his touring ensemble to Madley Rehearsal Studio for a wonderful workshop on the King's Birthday Holiday. The band featured alumni Kyrie Anderson on drums with Melbourne stalwarts Theo Carbo on guitar, Andrea Keller on piano, Julien Wilson on tenor saxophone, Carl Mackey on alto saxophone and Matt Jodrell on trumpet. Our students engaged with thoughtful questions and the band responded beautifully, exploring their approach to composition, practice habits, listening and generally making good music.

19/06/2024

On Sunday 9–Monday 10 June the Elder Conservatorium of Music and Adelaide Horn Jam co-hosted Adelaide Horn Days 2024, a two-day festival celebrating all things horn. Over 50 horn players gathered for classes and ensembles with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra horn section and Elder Conservatorium horn faculty alongside international guest artist Anneke Scott, one of the world's leading historical horn specialists. The highlight was a spectacular concert given by the Elder Conservatorium Baroque Ensemble under the direction of Rob Nairn, featuring guest violinist Ben Dollman and three horn soloists: Anneke Scott, Sarah Barrett (Associate Principal Horn, A*O) and Liam McBride (third-year Elder Conservatorium student).

19/06/2024

Classical voice alumnus and music theatre/cabaret luminary Johanna Allen (who has a star on the AFC's Walk of Fame) has teamed up with our Head of Jazz, Mark Ferguson, to create a new show for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, with one show only tonight (Wednesday 19 June) at 7.00pm in the Dunstan Playhouse. The show 'Pop Culture Vulture' explores music from Vivaldi to John Farnham, Taylor Swift to Harold Arlen, Kylie to Powderfinger, with Ferguson's arrangements highlighting Allen's stunning soprano and considerable range. And our wonderful Music Theatre lecturer Joseph Simons has joined the team recently to bring his watchful eyes over the show and give it his wonderful dramaturgical touch.

More info and tickets 👇

https://cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/johanna-allen?dateId=19-06-2024&performanceId=EDUN2024779JA

📸: Claudio Raschella

13/06/2024

The Elder Conservatorium Song Writer Series kicks off tonight, introducing 15 new bands and 80 world premieres hot off the press, featuring some of Adelaide's most exciting emerging song writers from the Bachelor of Music (Creative Practice) program. Join us to hear some fresh new sounds! 🎤🎸

Thursday 13 June (tonight) | Thursday 20 June | Thursday 27 June

Sampled Source DJs from 4.00pm, first band from 6.00pm. UniBar / Free Admission

07/06/2024

Honours Ensemble
Lyndon Gray director

The Honours ensemble play from the Australian Jazz Real Book, with works by noted Australian jazz writers including alumni Jo Lawry, Michelle Nicole, Matthew Sheens and Lauren Henderson, alongside songs by Vince Jones and other Australian jazz greats.

03/06/2024

On Sunday 9 June at 7.30pm in Elder Hall, the Elder Conservatorium Baroque Ensemble led by Artistic Director Rob Nairn and guest concertmaster Ben Dollman will present 'Cornucopia', a celebration of the baroque horn. Anneke Scott, one of the leading historical horn players in the world today, is the featured guest soloist, and will be joined by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra's Associate Principal Horn Sarah Barrett and third-year Elder Conservatorium student Liam McBride to present works by Telemann, Handel, Corelli and Vivaldi.

Tickets available at 👇
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1197179?

01/06/2024

Congratulations to Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who recently sang the role of Baron Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca at the Opera at Jimbour event at Jimbour House (Friday 10–Sunday 12 May), a historic homestead near Dalby on Queensland's Western Downs. The following weekend, on Saturday 18 May, Teddy sang the title role in Mendelssohn's Elijah, joining Sydney Philharmonia's 400-voice Festival Chorus and conductor Brett Weymark in the Sydney Opera House for this colossal choral masterpiece.

'It marked the return of the popular Kiwi bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes to the Sydney Opera House stage. The title role is part of his musical DNA – he first performed it in Auckland in 2007 and most recently in Sydney in 2022 with the Willoughby Symphony – and his magisterial presence and operatic projection cut through from his desk at the back of the orchestra. [...] dominating it all was Rhodes' imposing performance. His powerful tone and ability to inhabit the character of his role is undiminished and his voice is still secure across the range.'

– Limelight

'The capacity crowd left, not with a sense of having done penance, but with the exhilaration of having experienced moments of some magnificence, and a strong sense of the need to be good lest the full power of Tahu Rhodes, soloists and the Festival Chorus and orchestra be visited upon them.'

– The Sydney Morning Herald

📷: Keith Saunders

30/05/2024

Members of the Royal Australian Air Force Band paid a visit to the Elder Conservatorium on Tuesday 14 May. They worked closely with wind, brass, percussion and chamber music students, sharing their wisdom on performing in various musical situations and offering a deeper insight into what life is like working in the Air Force.

29/05/2024

Congratulations to our Elder Con keyboard faculty members Professor Anna Goldsworthy and Vivian Choi Milton, who recently joined Adjunct Lecturer Dr Konstantin Shamray for Artistic Director Simon Cobcroft's second Coriole Music Festival (Saturday 18–Sunday 19 May), performing alongside acclaimed Australian baritone Samuel Dundas; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Principal Viola Justin Julian; Sydney Symphony Orchestra double bass Jaan Pallandi; rising star Australian violinist Doretta Balkizas; the Lyrebird Trio; and the Orava Quartet. The three concerts featured works by Peter Sculthorpe, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Josef Suk, Smetana, Prokofiev, Silvestrov, Shostakovich, Golijov, Schulhoff, Barber, Olli Mustonen, and the world premiere of 'Dreamcrawler' for Piano Trio and Electronics by Annie Hsieh. 🍁🍂🎹🎻🍇🍷

We are particularly grateful to Mark de Raad for generously providing tickets for our
Recitals Australia Fellowship recipients Esmond Choi (piano) and Haowei Yang (piano), along with Lunch Hour Series prize winners Michaela Eaton (voice), James Huon George (piano), Paula Custodio (flute), Yifei Chong (piano), and James Yip (piano).

📷: Photos by Jamois

28/05/2024

From Thursday 23–Saturday 25 May, State Opera South Australia, State Theatre Company South Australia, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera Chorus, and the Elder Conservatorium brought Leonard Bernstein's beloved comic operetta Candide to life in four spectacular shows at Her Majesty's Theatre, described as 'the best of all possible performances' (Broadway World) and 'the finest music theatre seen in this city in years' (InReview).

A huge congratulations to recent Bachelor of Music Theatre graduate Taylah Johns (who made her professional debut as Paquette), and 44 of our current Music Theatre students, who augmented this city-wide collaboration as part of a new work-integrated learning program. A special thanks to our entire Music Theatre faculty for all their support and hard work, and to the exceptional creatives who brought it all together: Co-Director Mitchell Butell, Co-Director and Choreographer Amy Campbell, Conductor Anthony Hunt, Set Realiser Ailsa Paterson, Costume Designer Brendan De La Hay, and Lighting Designer Gavin Norris. Bravo to all involved! 👏

📷: Andrew Beveridge

27/05/2024

On Sunday 26 May the fantastic sounds of our brass ensemble rang through Elder Hall to a very appreciative audience. The program included a selection of baroque and modern brass ensemble classics alongside a showcase of chamber music by our brass trio, trumpet quartet, horn quartet, and trombone octet. Thanks to all who joined us and to our performing students! 👏🎺

27/05/2024

🖊 Applications Now Open: Elevate Mentorship

An Elevate Mentorship from our partners at the Helpmann Academy is a valuable way to build your emerging career beyond your studies by providing knowledge, exploration and hands on experience, with up to $3000 available for your mentorship.

Kate Hwang, a graduate from the University of Adelaide and an emerging cellist, received an Elevate Mentorship in 2023 and undertook one-on-one lessons with Hyung Suk Bae, the Associate Principal Cellist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

'This mentorship program has also pushed me to learn and adapt quickly, which has improved my playing immensely. I have been able to deal better with my performance anxiety as I gain more experience.'
– Kate Hwang

📅 Applications close: Sunday 14 July
➡️ Applications: https://helpmannacademy.com.au/elevate-mentorships-2024/

📷: Kate Hwang, courtesy of the artist.

25/05/2024

University of Adelaide Big Band and Latin Ensemble

Dustan Cox and Mark Ferguson directors
Lauren Henderson voice

Songs and instrumental works by alumni Lauren Henderson, Jo Lawry, M.S. Ferguson, Christina Guala-Goodwin, Jasmine Ferguson, and Thomas Voss.

19/05/2024

Carclew's Fellowships offer financial support to young emerging cultural and creative artists and arts workers for arts career building; skills development; exploring new art form practice, methods and techniques; research towards creative and/or cultural development; and mentoring towards development of cultural and creative arts practices. Fellowship areas of practice can include (but are not limited to) performing arts; visual arts; written word; digital platforms; arts administration and industry pathways; and community arts and culture.

📅 Applications close Sunday 14 July.
➡️ More info and apply: http://carclew.com.au/program/fellowships/

18/05/2024

🖊 Applications Now Open: Creative Development Grants

Applications for grants up to $3000 are now open from our partners at the Helpmann Academy. These grants are designed to kickstart new projects, help you research and develop new ideas or works and grow your creative practice.

Sam Wilson is the songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist of folk band Wake In Fright. In 2023 Sam received a Creative Development Grant to record, mix, and master a new 12-track Wake In Fright album, entitled 'The Modern Shoe Is Ruining The Foot', with a live ensemble of experienced musicians.

'It is an incredible honour to receive the support of the Helpmann Academy. This development grant is absolutely instrumental to our work as musicians and creatives and will allow us to commit completely to the artistic process and make our music the best it can possibly be.'
– Sam Wilson (University of Adelaide Graduate)

📅 Applications close: Monday 10 June
➡️ Apply here: https://helpmannacademy.com.au/creative-development-grants-2024/

📷: Sam Wilson, 2023, photo by Alexander Aarao-Ward.

17/05/2024

Big thank you to the Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra, conductors Lloyd Van’t Hoff and Chris Day, and the trumpet superstar Will Madden for an extraordinary concert today!!! 🤩🎺 .brass

17/05/2024

Please come along and support our Head of Brass, Dr Emma Gregan, and Head of Woodwind, Lloyd Van't Hoff, as they perform two new Australian concertos with Adelaide's leading wind bands – Unley Concert Band and Adelaide Wind Orchestra!

Saturday 8 June 7.30pm
Elder Hall

More info and tickets available at:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1196217?

16/05/2024

Join the Elder Conservatorium Brass Ensemble in concert on Sunday 26 May from 3.30–4.30pm in Elder Hall for an afternoon of brass ensemble classics and brass chamber music. All Elder Conservatorium students can attend at no cost – simply enter the promotional code BRASSENS2024 and register with your university email address to access a free ticket option.

Sunday 26 May 3.30pm
Elder Hall

Tickets available at:
https://events.humanitix.com/elder-conservatorium-of-music-bold-as-brass

16/05/2024

Last night's Gala Concert featured sublime performances from Elder Conservatorium staff members Elizabeth Layton (violin), Stephen King (viola), Edith Salzmann (cello), Lucinda Collins (piano), Anna Goldsworthy (piano), Lloyd Van't Hoff (clarinet) and Emma Gregan (horn); cherished alumni Niki Vasilakis (violin), Helen Ayres (violin), Thomas Marlin (cello), Joshua Oates (oboe), Mark Gaydon (bassoon), Jack Overall (cello) and Liam Pilgrim (violin); and brilliant current students Alex Byrne (flute) and Tim Tran (viola), who came together to celebrate the artistry and collegiality of the Elder Conservatorium community.

The evening also launched our new Elder Conservatorium Circle – a group of leading supporters who will raise funds to support the Conservatorium's ongoing mission to help students achieve the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for professional employment and musical growth. We have been deeply touched by all the support we have received so far – the group's advocacy, direct engagement and support will have an immediate and measurable impact on the success of the music education program and outcomes for students each year. Bravo to all involved! 👏

15/05/2024

Congratulations to BMus Hons 2021 graduate (and Adelaide Connection accompanist) Ciara Louise Ferguson, who recently received the COMA Emerging Jazz Writer's Award at the Adelaide Festival Centre International Jazz Day performance with the Thomas Voss Orchestra. Ciara is a prolific and dedicated performer and composer, and plans to use the Award to develop an EP of choral jazz music later this year.

The Creative Original Music Adelaide (COMA) Emerging Jazz Writer's Award celebrates an emerging leader in the field of contemporary jazz composition and performance who is female, non-binary or gender diverse. Ciara will receive two days' recording at Wizard Tone Studios; mentorship conversations with leading jazz artists; a paid performance as part of COMA's regular series; support from COMA committee members in funding application preparation and other career advice.

'Ciara is not only a wonderful performer but a sublime composer and arranger. Ciara is also an excellent mentor and educator and her work with the next generation plays an integral part in her impact and value in the Adelaide jazz scene. Her project will allow her to continue this work with the next generation – spreading the joy of music and jazz.'

– COMA External Assessment Panel

14/05/2024

Last Tuesday's graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of students from the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics at The University of Adelaide, including 91 graduands from the Elder Conservatorium of Music! A special congratulations to our Valedictorian, Alevia Evci (Honours Degree of Bachelor of Music – Classical Performance); 2023 University Medallist from the Elder Conservatorium and Mace Bearer, Anne Michelle Matthews (Honours Degree of Bachelor of Music – Music Education and Pedagogy); 2023 University Doctoral Research Medallist, Dr Dylan Henderson; and our newly-minted PhD graduands Dr Debra Andreacchio, Dr David Blackwell, and Dr Robert Boundy! Congratulations to everyone who received a degree and/or award! 👏 🎉 🥂 🎓

13/05/2024

Come and support our brilliant Music Theatre students!

📣 We’re delighted to share that a group of 19 Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre students will take part in the State Opera South Australia and State Theatre Company South Australia production of Candide, in a work-integrated-learning context.

The student group will be supplementing the 30 members of the State Opera chorus and together will form the Candide on-stage choir.

Among the 19 students participating are Amy McCann, Sascha Debney-Matiszik, and Brendan Tomlins, who are in their final year of the Bachelor of Music Theatre.

Did we mention Adelaide’s favourite cabaret star, the award-winning and internationally loved Hans the German is also in the cast?!

📅 23 – 25 May
📍 Her Majesty’s Theatre
🎟️ Under 30 and full time student tickets are only $35 (excluding fees): ow.ly/jLmC50RCV5s

12/05/2024

We are so proud of the achievements of our wonderful students! Congratulations Kallan Francis! 👏🎉🎸

👏 Congratulations to our Elder Conservatorium student, jazz guitarist Kallan Francis who won the prestigious James Morrison Scholarship at the recent Generations In Jazz festival in Mount Gambier!

🎶 This award is open to jazz instrumentalists under the age of 19 in Australia and is ‘dedicated to recognising and celebrating exceptional talent in jazz music’.