New England Conservatorium

New England Conservatorium's Woolshed Series presents two spectacular concerts in iconic woolsheds to celebrate the New England's unique identity and rich cultural heritage, past and present. Join NECOM for two unforgettable concerts that showcase both our region's wealth of musical talent and the impressive pastoral heritage of the New England.

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 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.

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. Students from local schools will also be able to participate in the rehearsals and final concert from Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March 2026. Don't miss out and book your space as soon as possible!

A clarinet melody, rising like the sun from shimmering strings. Five of Australia’s most brilliant musicians. Works beloved and new from an age of discovery, emotion and light. ARCO’s First Light takes in a sweep of classical chamber music, including the including Schubert’s joyful String Quartet No.7 in D major D.74, Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Quintet in A major, and the brilliant new ocean-inspired Wavelength by Nicole Murphy. At the pinnacle is Haydn’s ‘Sunrise’ quartet in a sparkling 18th-century clarinet arrangement by Vincenzo Gambaro, an Italian clarinettist and entrepreneur who arranged pieces by his friends Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart to highlight the clarinet’s lush tones.  First Light brings five principals from the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra into the intimacy of chamber music, including co-artistic directors and long-time musical friends Rachael Beesley (violin) and Nicole van Bruggen (clarinet). They are joined by Alison Rayner (violin), Stephen King (viola) and Natasha Kraemer (cello) – all nationally and internationally acclaimed experts in historically informed performance. Vincenzo GAMBARO (1772–1828) Clarinet Quartet No. 1 in B-flat major arranged from string quartets by Joseph Haydn Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) String Quartet No. 7 in D major, D.94 (1811) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) String Quartet No. 4 in C major, K.157 (1772) Nicole MURPHY (b. 1984) Wavelength for historical basset clarinet and string quartet (2024) Concert runtime: approx. 90 mins, including 20 min interval

Clarinet & Piano Virtuosi; David Griffiths & Konstantin Shamray perform together in a not to be missed recital. Pianist Shamray, widely acclaimed for his exhilarating artistry, flawless technique, and fearless command of the instrument, appears in concert alongside clarinettist Griffiths, renowned for his superb solo performances and his versatility as a chamber musician, recitalist, and leading educator. This captivating program features Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Weber’s Grand Duo, and Novacek’s “Four Rags”. The event marks the first stop of their regional tour, with Armidale launching this exciting musical journey.

NECOM is proud to present Opera Australia's newest touring production of Don Giovanni for a once-only performance in Armidale on Thursday 6 August at 7.00pm. It’s the last day of Don Giovanni’s life, but he doesn’t know that. For opera’s own Casanova, it’s just another day of pleasure seeking. Seducing a bride on her wedding day. Breaking into a woman’s bedroom in the dead of night. Killing her furious father. Even before the curtain rises, Mozart reveals Don Giovanni’s fate. An earth-shattering chord from the orchestra signals the gates of hell clanging open. The scoundrel’s debauched days are at an end. In 2026, Opera Australia is brining one of Mozart’s most fascinating characters on the road with stops in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

Bold, brilliant women in chamber music. Join the Streeton Trio for a powerful and inspiring evening celebrating the brilliance and resilience of women in music. This program shines a light on four extraordinary female composers who defied convention and left a lasting mark on the classical world. The concert opens with Fanny Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor (Germany), a passionate and lyrical masterpiece that rivals the works of her famous brother, Felix. Despite societal barriers, Fanny composed over 400 works, proving that talent knows no gender. Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly (Canada) soars with fiery intensity and breathtaking virtuosity, symbolizing rebirth and transformation—a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s Spirit and the Maiden blends haunting beauty with raw energy, drawing inspiration from folklore to tell a story of courage and resilience. Clara Schumann’s Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (Germany) is testament to the child prodigy turned musical trailblazer. Clara balanced motherhood and a legendary career to create an enduring legacy as one of history’s greatest musicians. This concert celebrates women’s voices, creativity, and determination, proving that the power of music—and the power of women—knows no bounds. Program Fanny MENDELSSOHN (1805–1847) Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 (1846–1847) Kelly-Marie MURPHY (b. 1964) Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly (1997) Elena KATS-CHERNIN (b. 1957) Spirit and the Maiden (2004) Clara SCHUMANN (1819–1896) Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17 (1846)

New England Sings! is our nationally acclaimed, award-winning choral showcase bringing together over 900 students from across the New England region, accompanied by an 80-piece orchestra.