Volume 23, June 2011 - New England Conservatorium of Music

REPORT
News from Inverell - Term 2
Concert team Sarah Matthews, Wendy Champion, Anne Stevens and David Matthews
NECOM Inverell is now on the map
and we have the street sign to
prove it! Thanks to the local council for
removing the old ‘Sinclair Place School’
sign and replacing it with our ‘Music
Conservatorium’ sign. In line with this
development and further improvements
to the existing buildings we have been
able to host events that previously
would been difficult. A big thank you to
early childhood music teacher Ros Oliver
for organising the clean-up of the new
building and negotiating with the ‘work
for the dole’ organisation to paint the
buildings. Thanks also to the committee
for their help with the clean-up and
other friends of NECOM Inverell who
have provided invaluable and timely
support for events and functions.
The Inverell programmes are gradually
expanding and we now have a beginner
string orchestra (consisting of 20
students). We are aiming to have regular
string orchestra rehearsals from next
term in line with the growth of this
programme.
The brass programme is also expanding
as a result of the dedication and
professionalism of the visiting brass
teachers Lisa & Gergely Malyusz, who
organise their own student concert
every term as well as supporting the
general student termly
concert.
Visiting guitar Glen Innes
teacher Luke Oppenheimer
has stepped into the shoes
of Margaret Mason, who
re-located to Orange at
the end of term 1. Luke
already has a full teaching
load and it is wonderful to
have him as a complement
to the contemporary music
programme.
The ever popular vocal,
woodwind, piano and music
maker classes continue to
draw public approval and
support.
This term we were fortunate
enough to have visiting
artist and Opera Australia
tenor kent McIntosh
and Armidale pianist
Robyn Bradley perform
at the NECOM Inverell
campus. This was the
first time we have hosted
a public concert at the
campus. It was a polished
performance of a very
high standard, but only
attracted a small audience,
possibly because the public are not used
to this campus as a concert venue.
We were successful in gaining a CASP
grant that enabled us to invite Orange
based pianist and pedagogue Anne
Stevens to hold piano workshops,
staff professional development, and
individual lessons for students doing
practical exams. She also presented 2
piano trio concerts with David and Sarah
Matthews including a piece with flautist
Wendy Champion. The Inverell concert
was a huge success in terms of audience
numbers, and Armidale not bad
considering it was a public holiday. The
concert featured works by V. Novak, L.
Farrenc and Mendelssohn. The trio have
subsequently received many requests
for future performances.
New guitar teacher, Luke Oppenheimer
Robyn Bradley and kent McIntosh in concert.
Sarah Matthews
NECOM NEWS JUNE 2011 9