Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

11/02/2025

AUDITIONS for Regional Youth Orchestra NSW (RYO) are NOW OPEN, and Close MONDAY 24 MARCH 2025.

If you would like to give your child the opportunity to play with other regional youth musicians and learn from leading conductors, orchestras and artists from Australia and the world, contact their teacher at WollCon to discuss the RYO application process.

Students must be:
• aged from 11 years to 20 years on 1 January 2025,
• enrolled as an orchestral instrument student at a NSW Regional Conservatorium,
• at these minimum AMEB Grade skill levels or higher: AMEB 7th Grade for wind and brass; AMEB 6th Grade for strings and percussion.

Watch this short video of one RYO project and see the amazing experiences RYO students have!

Watch as 40 young musicians from regional conservatoriums across New South Wales rehearse and play alongside members of the Staatskapelle Berlin. A mentorshi...

02/02/2025

A wonderful event not to be missed with music composed by John Spence and with music student Annabel Wouters (Eva Pascoe winner) - in a concert with Luke Bowen, Myee Clohessy and Catherine Barnett.
Friday, 21 February, at 6.30pm.

HMCollective presents 'Birds of a Feather (Are Better Together)'

02/02/2025

The Book of HONK! Oz is a photography project capturing the colourful characters of HONK! Oz Festival of Street Music, an annual event in Wollongong.
Brian Lefoe is one of several photographers contributing to the Book of HONK! Oz, an online visual record of participants over the past decade.
Check out the ABC Illawarra story...

After a decade of street activism in Wollongong, the HONK! Oz street music festival now has a treasure trove of photographic memories.

29/01/2025

PIANO TEACHER VACANCY AT WOLLCON 🎹

We are seeking a qualified piano teacher to join our team, and to build an active studio for students of all ages and stages of learning.
Initially the position is casual teaching on a Saturday, and there is potential to expand the studio hours during 2025.
There is no closing date – so please apply (as per selection criteria) as soon as possible.
The position is available for immediate start, Term 1, 2025.
https://wollcon.com.au/about/music-staff/

28/01/2025

Hope you enjoyed your summer break!
We’re looking forward to seeing you back for week 1 of term 1 starting Monday 3rd February.
NOTING that all ChiME students begin in week 2, from Monday 10th February.

If you are a new student (any age) feel free to visit us in Reception (office hours) to collect your free Welcome to WollCon pack.
See you all soon and if you have any questions please email [email protected]

23/01/2025

Auditions have been held for the WollCon Children’s (ages 7-12) and Youth Choirs (aged 12 and over).
Thank you to all who auditioned. As a result we have a lot of very talented children joining WollCon this year.

We are looking forward to all the performances including alongside the talented Luminescence Children’s Choir in a special one-off concert in June!

We are looking for talented and passionate young voices to join us at WollCon. Auditions are now open for the WollCon Children’s (ages 7-12) and Youth Choirs (aged 12 and over).

22/01/2025

We are thrilled to have WollCon Alumnus NICK RUSSONIELLO return to where it all began - with his Air Mass show. Coming to Wollon on the 5th April. Concert and ticket details available soon.
https://wollcon.com.au/event/nick-russoniello-air-mass-tour/

21/01/2025

Bundanoon Sings! - a no audition community choir - is in search of a volunteer Musical Director! Interested? Scan the QR code in the post.

Have you ever considered doing something amazing this year?

We are on the hunt for some passionate people to join us in 2025!

Join with the most wonderful, community choir, and enjoy the energy and enthusiasm.

Scan the QR code in the post to find out more about these super opportunities.

19/01/2025

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Kids HONK! Band last weekend. Students attended two intensive workshops over 2 days, learning four tunes (without sheet music) to perform at the Honk Oz Street Music Festival in the Arts Precinct. Thanks to Wollcon teachers Mark, Jenn, Mel and David. And to Amelie, Saskia and our group of teenage mentors. No doubt the students will be heading back into their school bands and other music making feeling inspired after the weekend.

Some comments after the event:

"Honk Oz is a highlight of the year for my family and this year my daughter was excited to be able to join Kids Honk! We always walk away from the weekend buzzing and inspired and feeling like better musicians after the opportunities we get to play with so many other inspiring musicians"

"Kids HONK! is the highlight of every holiday for my sons. They love the fun, collaborative environment, and it’s amazing to see how much it inspires their creativity and confidence in music-making. We’re so grateful for this incredible program!"

15/01/2025

HONKOz! 2025 beautifully captured Sue! Thank you.

07/01/2025

Some amazing things happen at the HONK! Oz free street music festival: people come together, all ages, all instruments, all abilities, and all about live street music. Come and join the fun 9-11 January in the heart of Wollongong!

19/12/2024

The WollCon admin office closes at 5pm Friday 20 December and re-opens on Monday 6 January 2025 (noting that office hours will be 9am-5pm throughout January).

We will also be taking a break from our socials for a while. 😊

The first day of term 1 at WollCon in 2025 will be Monday 3rd February.

Have a wonderful break everyone… See you again next year.

18/12/2024

WollCon and colleagues at all NSW regional conservatoriums are thrilled to see the Arts and Music Education & Training in NSW Inquiry Report’s findings and recommendations (released last week).

"Regional conservatoriums provide excellent music education and services and foster creativity and connectedness in regional communities in New South Wales."
..and...

"That the NSW Government increase funding to regional conservatoriums and review key performance measures and service gaps, especially around engagement with schools, under the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program, to ensure sustainable future growth."

Julia Finn MP Dr Joe McGirr MP Anthony D'Adam The Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC
Full Story below:

Earlier in 2024, WollCon submitted a response to the Inquiry investigating Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW, which included information on the significant role regional conservatoriums play in music education in schools with programs delivered by our music teachers.

17/12/2024

Congratulations to Emma Huang! Our Concerto Competition Winner for 2024.

The adjudicator for the day, Carl Schmidt selected violinist Emma Huang for her confident, mature and elegant presentation of Bruch.

Emma says: “WollCon has been a massive part of my music education, beginning with ChiME when I was in preschool, and, after inspiring me to learn the violin at the age of three, private violin lessons during primary school in my foundational years with Kyle Little. I have also been a part of the WollCon orchestral programs since kindergarten when I joined the Llewellyn Orchestra, followed by the Powell Orchestra and most recently, BSYO. In addition, I have attended theory lessons with John since primary school, as well as developing a close collaborative relationship with my piano accompanist, Jack.”

Image: ECA Performance 2024 | Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery. Photographer: Chelsea Caligari.

Full Story at: https://wollcon.com.au/2024/12/17/concerto-competition-winner-2024/

16/12/2024

Put it in your calendars! 9-11th January HONK!Oz Street Music Festival...

13/12/2024

It’s official! HONK! Oz street music festival is back on in January. There are may opportunities to participate or just come along to enjoy the spectacle that has been going on in Wollongong for 10 years!