New England Conservatorium
New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) enables people across Armidale and the New England region to access quality musical opportunities within the grand spaces of the heritage-listed Armidale Teachers’ College building.
Australian Guitar Quartet
Thursday 9 May 2024
Bach to Bossa and Beyond
Enjoy a kaleidoscopic program spanning 300 years, taking you on a captivating journey from Bach to Bossa and beyond with four of Australia’s leading guitarists as your tour guide.
This concert promises to be an unforgettable experience with something for everyone. Be transported by these four master instrumentalists – their remarkable musicianship and virtuosic playing will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime!
ARTISTS
Vladimir Gorbach Guitar
Leonard Grigoryan Guitar
Slava Grigoryan Guitar
Andrew Blanch Guitar
Armidale Town - 127 Rusden St ARMIDALE
Children's Chorus for La Bohème
Thursday 15 August 2024
Thank for encouraging your child to audition for the Children’s Chorus in the upcoming production of Opera Australia’s La Bohème. I am thrilled to let you know your child was successful in their audition and will have the opportunity to perform on-stage with some of Australia’s leading opera stars! The overall standard of this year’s auditions was very high, and we congratulate your child on receiving one of these positions.
Lazenby Hall
Opera Australia's La Bohème
Thursday 15 August 2024
NECOM is proud to present Opera Australia's newest touring production of La Bohème for a once-only performance in Armidale on Thursday 15 August at 7.00pm.
Sung in English, this new production is designed to entertain people of all ages and features a chamber orchestra and a stunning set, costumes and lighting. On a freezing Christmas Eve, love sparks.
Two hands meet in the dark and four friends’ lives change forever.
Experience the original bohemian love story.
La Bohème has always captured the soaring spirit of young love and this new production breathes fresh life into one of the world’s favourite operas. Award-winning director Dean Bryant (Anything Goes, Sweet Charity) brings his trademark wit and vivacity to this new staging, which captures that giddy moment where you and your friends feel you’ll live forever.
Dean Bryant Director
Isabel Bryant Set and Costume Designer
Damien Cooper Lighting Designer
Lazenby Hall
Goldner String Quartet
Sunday 15 September 2024
The Goldner String Quartet has longstanding recognition, not only as Australia’s pre-eminent string quartet but as an ensemble of international significance, favourably compared with the best in the
world. Join us for their final concert season as they bring their 30-year Goldner String Quartet journey to a close.
ARTISTS
Dene Olding Violin
Dimity Hall Violin
Irina Morozova Viola
Julian Smiles Cello
PROGRAM
MOZART Quartet No.4 in C major, K 157
SHOSTAKOVICH Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110
BEETHOVEN Quartet in E minor, Op. 59 No.2
Armidale Town - 127 Rusden St ARMIDALE
Woolshed Series 2024
New England Conservatorium's Woolshed Series presents spectacular springtime concerts in three iconic woolsheds to celebrate the New England's unique identity and rich cultural heritage, past and present. Join NECOM in its 20th anniversary year for this unforgettable series that showcases both our region's wealth of musical talent and the impressive pastoral heritage of the New England.
Homestead Series
SongMakers Music writing workshop April 2024
Thursday 4 April 2024
We have an exciting opportunity for budding song writers to attend a FREE song writing workshop on Thursday 4 & Friday 5 April 2024 for local students aged 16-21. They will spend 2 days writing and recording songs and learning about music careers from some of Australia’s most inspiring creators.
Workshop mentors include Sydney electronic artist/writer and vocalist, Kota Banks, who makes lyrically-sophisticated hyper pop. She is a frequent writing collaborator and go-to festival performer with a growing global band of passionate followers. Chelsea Warner is a
producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with Emalia, Tentendo, and Vetta Borne and has credits on releases by Ūla, Urthboy, Liyah Knight, BVT and more.
Sydney-based artist/writer Bec Sandridge has collaborated with a stellar list of music industry heavyweights, including Dave Jenkins Jr (Daniel Johns, Vera Blue), Lucy Taylor (Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding), and Gab Strum (Japanese Wallpaper).
New England Conservatorium
Mini Musos 2024
Wednesday 21 February 2024
Mini Musos offers your child the exciting opportunity to try a variety of instruments before choosing the instrument best suited to them.
This series of unique musical taster workshops is suitable for children in Kindergarten - Year 3.
They will work with NECOM's experienced teachers throughout the 6-week program.
Each week children will be given opportunities to try out and enjoy a variety of musical experiences
in:
Piano
Winds
Strings
Percussion
Singing (Choir)
Each session commences with fun music games to warm up our ears, followed by demonstrations by specialist tutors in each instrument and an opportunity to try out instruments.
At the conclusion of the program families will be provided with individual feedback, recommendations for which instrument(s) best suits their child, and information about the options available for learning an instrument through NECOM.
New England Conservatorium of Music
Instrumental Combo Workshop 2024
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Instrumental Combo Workshop: 5:30pm-7:30pm WED. 13th March
Run-through and Concert on the following week, 5:30pm-7:30pm WED. 20th March
6 places only!
Bring your song charts to a session where you get to play with a professional jazz/pop/rnb group consisting of piano, bass, guitar and drums.
Under the guidance and mentorship of singer and band leader Sharny Russell, work through your chart with the combo, and also learn from watching the other players do the same.
A week later, rehearse your song(s) and perform in front of your family and friends in a small private concert at NECOM
This is an invaluable opportunity for instrumentalists. Learn the skills needed to rehearse and perform with a band. Each participant will have communicated their song choices to Sharny by email, and will receive help with appropriate keys, preparing the chart, and any other assistance required before the workshop.
Ideal for 16 years+ to Adults
Cost: $150
New England Conservatorium of Music
Emma Pask with Bill Risby 2024
Thursday 7 March 2024
Discovered by jazz legend James Morrison at the age of 16, Emma Pask has become one of Australia’s favourite voices in Jazz. Her effortless honest stage presence, combined with her powerful vocal ability, leaves audiences spellbound and inspired.
Bill studied jazz (piano + double bass) at the NSW Conservatorium of Music and is now regarded as one of the most accomplished musicians in the field having nine albums to his name. He has also performed and collaborated with a raft of leading musicians including The Supremes, The Temptations, Marcia Hines, Spandau Ballet, Dionne Warwick and his piano playing was featured in the films “Australia”, “The Great Gatsby”, as well as being the sound of Peter Allen’s piano in the Australian Tele-movie “Not the Boy Next Door”.
Performing an up close and intimate concert this setting is sure to delight as the duo interweave storytelling through timeless swinging jazz standards, upbeat Latin rhythms, tender ballads and, of course, some raucous blues.
Armidale Town - 127 Rusden St ARMIDALE
2024 HSC Music Composition Workshop
Tuesday 5 March 2024
NECOM’s Composition Workshop offers an invaluable opportunity for music students to develop their composition skills in preparation for their core or elective HSC compositions. The workshop is presented by leading composer Luke Byrne who specialises in teaching HSC composition music students. This workshop is aligned with the NSW Education Standards syllabi for Music 1, Music 2 and Extension.
New England Conservatorium
Armidale Youth Orchestra ensembles Sawtell Camp 2024
Sat 24 - Sun 25 February 2024
Each year in February, all the AYO ensembles and families spent a weekend at Sawtell Beach for a wonderful time of music making. This is an essential component of the AYO's program for the year and is loved by the players and families alike. This year students from local schools will also be able to participate in the rehearsals and final concert from Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 February. Don't miss out and book your space as soon as possible!
Sawtell Public School
Rising Stars Concert / Marian Barford 2024
Sunday 18 February 2024
Featuring works by J. S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Bartók and more, performed by outstanding students and alumni of the New England Conservatorium of Music.
Performers include Madison Sim, David Tan, Abigail Thompson,
and Jonathan Bruhl accompanied by pianists Robert Manley,
Euga Ruan, and Sheila Guymer.
New England Conservatorium of Music
Errol Russell Sinfonia presents Sinfonia at the Movies
Saturday 9 December 2023
Join the Errol Russell Sinfonia as they perform a tribute to movie magic - from Silver Screen to Studio Ghibli, movie themes that will transport you straight to Hollywood!
New England Conservatorium
Singers Combo Workshop
Wednesday 8 November 2023
SINGERS COMBO WORKSHOP 5:30pm-7:30pm WED. 8th NOVEMBER.
RUN-THROUGH & CONCERT ON THE FOLLOWING WEEK, 15th NOVEMBER
(5:30pm)
6 places only!
Bring your song charts to a session where you get to sing with a professional jazz/pop/rnb group consisting of piano, bass, guitar and drums.
Under the guidance and mentorship of singer and band leader Sharny Russell, work through your chart with the combo, and also learn from watching the other singers do the same.
A week later, rehearse your song(s) and perform in front of your family and friends in a small private concert at NECOM
This is an invaluable opportunity for singers. Learn the skills needed to rehearse and perform with a band. Each participant will have communicated their song choices to Sharny by email, and will receive help with appropriate keys, preparing the chart, and any other assistance required before the workshop.
Ideal for 16 years+ to Adults
Cost: $150
New England Conservatorium of Music
Homestead Series 2023
NECOM's Homestead Series offers the rare chance to be immersed in a magical combination of chamber music and local history. Performed in three culturally significant private homestead surrounded by their stunning springtime gardens, the series showcases both the New England's wealth of musical talent and impressive architectural heritage. As the homesteads are not open to the public, the series offers an exclusive glimpse into the architectural history of the area.
Homestead Series
Taikoz - Side by Side
Thursday 2 November 2023
TaikOz is one of Australia’s most exciting and visually stunning drumming groups. Combining traditional Japanese taiko drumming with contemporary Australian music, all TaikOz’s performances are a feast of visual, aural and physical energy. In this special performance, thunderous taiko drums meets soulful flute, sonorous handpan, dynamic movement - enveloped in colourful light-sculptures.
The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.” – Weekend Australian
“You don’t just listen to this music. You see it and feel it, too. Totally com- pelling.” – Sydney Morning Herald
Presented by Musica Viva Armidale and New England Conservatorium of Music.
Lazenby Hall
Mini Musos 2023
Between Wednesday 22 February 2023 and Wednesday 18 October 2023
Mini Musos offers your child the exciting opportunity to try a variety of instruments before choosing the instrument best suited to them.
This series of unique musical taster workshops is suitable for children in Kindergarten - Year 3.
They will work with NECOM's experienced teachers throughout the 6-week program.
Each week children will be given opportunities to try out and enjoy a variety of musical experiences
in:
Piano
Winds
Strings
Percussion
Singing (Choir)
Each session commences with fun music games to warm up our ears, followed by demonstrations by specialist tutors in each instrument and an opportunity to try out instruments.
At the conclusion of the program families will be provided with individual feedback, recommendations for which instrument(s) best suits their child, and information about the options available for learning an instrument through NECOM.
New England Conservatorium of Music
ACO Collective
Friday 15 September 2023
ACO Collective combines Australia’s most talented emerging string players with the professional musicians
of the Australian Chamber Orchestra to create a high-energy string orchestra. British violinist Matthew
Truscott (concertmaster Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment) leads ACO
Collective in a thrilling program of dances from across the ages showcasing the vitality and virtuosity of this
incredible ensemble with music from Purcell, Bartok, Stravinsky, Ross Edwards and Holly Harrison. Presented by Musica Viva Armidale and New England Conservatorium of Music.
Armidale Town Hall - 127 Rusden St ARMIDALE
Teddy Bears' Picnic 2023
Tuesday 5 September 2023
NECOM's Teddy Bears’ Picnic concert is for children in K-2 who commenced learning their instrument in 2023.
New England Conservatorium
Konstantin Shamray
Thursday 3 August 2023
Described as an exhilarating performer with faultless technique and fearless command of the piano, Australian based pianist Konstantin Shamray enjoys performing on an international level with the world’s leading orchestras and concert presenters. In 2008, Konstantin burst onto the concert scene when he won First Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition. He is the first and only competitor to date in the 40 years of the competition to win both First and People’s Choice Prizes, in addition to six other prizes. He then went on to win First Prize at the 2011 Klavier Olympiade in Bad Kissingen, Germany, and, he was awarded the festival’s coveted Luitpold Prize for “outstanding musical achievements”. Since then, Konstantin performs extensively throughout the world. Presented by Musica Viva Armidale and New England Conservatorium of Music.
New England Conservatorium of Music
Junior Masterclass with Konstantin Shamray
Thursday 3 August 2023
In 2008, Konstantin won First Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition. He is the first and only competitor to date in the 40 years of the competition to win both First and People’s Choice Prizes, in addition to six other prizes – an astonishing achievement for a 23 year old. Since then, Konstantin has performed extensively throughout the world. Highlights include engagements with the Adelaide Symphony, West Australia, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony orchestras, Russian National Philharmonic, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, Prague Philharmonia, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic among others. He has recorded albums with the labels Naxos, ABC Classics and Fonoforum, is currently Lecturer in Piano at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide and was awarded his PhD in 2020. The masterclass is open to all piano students in the community and is most appropriate for advanced senior students of Grade 8+.
New England Conservatorium
Masterclass with Konstantin Shamray
Wednesday 2 August 2023
In 2008, Konstantin won First Prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition. He is the first and only competitor to date in the 40 years of the competition to win both First and People’s Choice Prizes, in addition to six other prizes – an astonishing achievement for a 23 year old. Since then, Konstantin has performed extensively throughout the world. Highlights include engagements with the Adelaide Symphony, West Australia, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony orchestras, Russian National Philharmonic, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, Prague Philharmonia, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic among others. He has recorded albums with the labels Naxos, ABC Classics and Fonoforum, is currently Lecturer in Piano at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide and was awarded his PhD in 2020. The masterclass is open to all piano students in the community and is most appropriate for advanced senior students of Grade 8+.
New England Conservatorium
NECOM Rob Jackson String Studio (CANCELLED)
Between Wednesday 26 April 2023 and Friday 30 June 2023
Learn with Rob Jackson
HSC Music 1 Exam Preparation Workshop
Wednesday 21 June 2023
Blitz your HSC Music 1 written exams and achieve your personal best in the upcoming HSC & Preliminary Course written exams at NECOM’s annual Music 1 Exam Preparation Workshop.
New England Conservatorium
HSC Music 2 Exam Preparation Workshop
Wednesday 21 June 2023
Blitz your HSC Music 2 written exams and achieve your personal best in the upcoming HSC & Preliminary Course written exams at NECOM’s annual Music 2 Exam Preparation Workshop. Presented by HSC Senior Marker Jessica Farrell, the workshop will cover:
• Melodic dictation tips and practice examples
• Revision of assumed knowledge for score reading
• Review of the concepts of music
• Score reading exercises
• Techniques on answering questions for the HSC written examination
• Best-practice HSC que
New England Conservatorium of Music
Australian Vocal Ensemble - AVÉ
Thursday 16 March 2023
Musica Viva Armidale and New England Conservatorium of Music present four of Australia’s finest vocalists together in a visionary performance combining heavenly vocals in a chamber setting. Katie Noonan’s new project, Australian Vocal Ensemble - AVÉ intertwines Australian compositions by Cawrse, Davidson, Green, Humphries, Hurren, Leek, Noonan and Wells, alongside new arrangements of music by Bach, Handel and Tomás Luis de Victoria creating a beautiful tension between ties to more traditional European music and modern Australian classical. Committed to telling uniquely Australian stories, AVÉ presents these new works based on the poetry of iconic Australian writer David Malouf.
Armidale Town - 127 Rusden St ARMIDALE
New England Conservatorium/APRA AMCOS Songmaker Workshops
Tuesday 7 March 2023
Senior elective students will have the opportunity to work with some of Australia’s most exciting music industry talents, in a collaboration between New England Conservatorium and APRA AMCOS’ high school mentoring scheme, SongMakers.
DATES: Tues 7th & Wed 8th March (9am-3:30pm)
HOST VENUE: New England Conservatorium, Armidale
COST: $40 for the two days (to use Creative Kids vouchers or for bursary assistance, please contact NECOM office)
REGISTER: SUBSIDISED places are being provided to 16 elective music students to participate in the program. They will spend 2 days writing and recording songs and learning about music careers with inspiring Australian professionals.
Workshop mentors include ARIA award winning artist/writer, Katie Wighton of alt-folk group 'All Our Exes Live in Texas', Ilan Kidron multi award winning songwriter/producer/screen composer who fronts 'The Potbelleez' and 'Synthony', and DVNA an emerging Gold Coast artist/songwriter/producer.
New England Conservatorium
Shigeru Piano Launch / Marian Barford Award
Sunday 19 February 2023
This event will incorporate the launch of NECOM's new Shigeru Piano, will introduce NECOM's new piano teacher and staff accompanist Robert Manley, in concert with Sheila Guymer and elite students of the New England Conservatorium and will include the announcement of the winner of the 2023 Marian Barford Award.
Works will be by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Greig, Lutosławski, Ginastera, plus a spectacular work for 8 hands!
New England Conservatorium of Music
NECOM Musicianship Grade 1 Course - 2023
Saturday 11 February 2023
Musicianship is the study of the theoretical elements of music and is essential for training a student not just to be a player of an instrument, but to be a musician. Musicianship is also a pre-requisite for the AMEB practical exams from Grade 6 upwards so starting from Grade 5 is recommended.
Classes will be held at NECOM on Saturday afternoons at either 2:00pm or 3:00pm throughout Term 1 and 2, with a break over the Eisteddfod time.
New England Conservatorium
SongMakers Music Mentoring Program
Monday 23 January 2023
A new music industry mentoring program touring regional NSW this summer, SongMakers Holiday Sessions will be presented by national music organistion, APRA AMCOS, as part of the Office for Regional Youth Holiday Break program in partnership with Create NSW. The workshops will be held at New England Conservatorium, Armidale, on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 January 2023 and sixteen free places will be provided to local musicians aged 16-21 to participate in the program. The two days will be spent writing and recording songs and learning about music careers from some of Australia's most inspiring creators including platinum producer/artist/multi-instrumentalist and triple j favourite Taka Perry and artist/producer and festivals favourite Ninajirachi.
New England Conservatorium
Opera Australia's Carmen
Thursday 13 August 2020
NECOM is proud to present Opera Australia's newest touring production of Carmen for a once-only performance in Armidale on Thursday 13 August at 7.30pm.
Sung in English, this new production is designed to entertain people of all ages and features a chamber orchestra and a stunning set, costumes and lighting.
Lazenby Hall