A long tradition.
The amazing benefits choirs can provide to people from all walks of life has been proven time and time again.
From the uplifting story of the Choir of Hard Knocks, to the fun and camaraderie of pub choirs, to the endearing online choral sessions that helped people from all around the world during COVID lockdowns — singing with a group can get the endorphins running and bring immense pleasure and joy into your life.
And you don’t even have to be a good singer as choirs will elevate and carry any voice, along with your spirits, in the process. The Clarence Valley Conservatorium has a long tradition of choral programs from the community based to those groups preparing to compete at eisteddfod level.
For choral singers, Conservatorium programs are sequentially planned so they can start at entry level and move through to more advanced performance settings. Choir sessions on offer include:
Join an ensemble line-up.
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium’s musical ensembles are the next step to becoming a professional performer.
In this advanced setting you will perform with other accomplished musicians to receive a greater understanding of the precision and concentration required to work within this exciting dynamic.
You will also experience the creative rush of a live concert performance as part of the ensemble program.
Being equipped to perform with technical confidence while capturing the expressive style ensembles exude, is an important aspect of a comprehensive music education.
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium prides itself on its culture of ensemble performance offering a wide variety of combinations for students to pursue among its specialist teaching staff including:
Finding your groove within a group.
Learning music within a group setting is not only a more affordable option when it comes to providing your child with a musical education, it’s also a more sociable one.
When children are well socialised, particularly with like-minded souls, it encourages personal growth and achievement.
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium’s School Group setting creates a momentum that inspires and piques curiosity, which can see abilities extended well beyond personal and parental expectations.
In these sessions, students gather with a small group of pupils of a similar age and ability to enjoy lessons in a friendly and supportive environment, led by one of the Conservatorium’s talented teaching staff.
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium offers group lessons in:
These lessons are conducted on-site at the Conservatorium and in many schools across the Clarence Valley.
Lessons for one.
Learning doesn’t get any more personal than an uninterrupted one on one education. Having the undivided attention of a tutor is a little bit of luxury worth investing in if you want to dig deeper into your child’s musical capabilities.
They don’t have to be a prodigy. These lessons are tailored to each student’s needs, moving at a pace and length of time that helps to encourage creativity, not stifle it.
Each Clarence Valley Conservatorium tutor ensures their students progress through the lessons so satisfying results are achieved every step of the way (even if they decide the tuba is the instrument for them).
Individual lessons are also conducted onsite at the Conservatorium and cover a variety of instruments and disciplines including:
Kidzjam: a toddler’s passport to a world of music.
You’re never too young to find your groove. You only have to look at how a toddler performs to the beat of their parents’ music to realise just how innate moving to a rhythm is. And who can forget the gravitational pull a saucepan and wooden spoon can have when it provides a drumming beat.
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium’s Kidzjam introduces the world of music to children from a very young age in a setting ripe for exploration.
This early childhood music program provides a safe, creative environment where children can enjoy free-range discovery and learning while having supervised fun with their carer.
Each week’s activities feature a different musical subject which exposes children to a variety of sounds and instruments over the course of the program. It is highly recommended children attend all sessions for maximum benefit and continuity of learning.
The vocal, aural and tactile nature of this Clarence Valley Conservatorium class is stimulating and entertaining, encouraging curiosity and supporting cognitive development.
Kidzjam is the perfect foundation to begin your child’s musical journey from, its gentle, reassuring approach means children can absorb the program at their own pace while observing those around them.
Putting your practice into theory.
Learning to perform music is one thing, but taking your practical skills to an academic level requires putting a little theory into place.
So why would you do that?
For starters, it will look good on your CV. Like the process of earning a university degree or trade certificate, studying the theoretical aspects of music alongside the practical musicianship, opens minds up to not only the language of music but also the philosophy behind it. And you will have the credentials to prove it. Even if your employment isn’t remotely related to music, having musical credentials is an impressive quality to possess.
Adding a theory component to your musicianship could also open up opportunities in performance you may have never considered. Like teaching music or working in musical therapy. Of course being a world class performer who travels the world is also encouraged if that’s your driving passion.
The Conservatorium has weekly theory classes for students to explore musical and academic possibilities while supplementing their practical studies. These classes will also help prepare and support students wishing to sit for the Australian Music Examination Board exams.
Theory classes will introduce students to the musical vernacular, from note names and keys, to iconic Italian terms like ‘arpeggio’. These classes also explore the technical aspects of melody and harmony and more complex writing styles as well as musicology (the history of music).
The latter is a fascinating foundation in which students can gain added perspective and enrichment as they discover how and why music has played such an important role in shaping societies and more broadly, humanity itself.
