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NSW Regional Conservatoriums Program

CMNC is currently considered an "emerging conservatorium", working towards achieving admission to the NSW Regional Conservatoriums Program.

The NSW Regional Conservatoriums are an initiative of the NSW Department of Education and Training "Arts Unit" to provide a range of music activities for students and community members of all ages and aspirations.

Regional Conservatoriums differ from their metropolitan, university-based counterparts in that their focus is primarily on Secondary School level rather than the tertiary level of those Conservatoriums in the city. (Some Regional Conservatoriums are nonetheless operated in association with universities.) This primary difference however, allows the Regional Conservatoriums to be situated closer to their community, offering musical opportunities for musicians of all levels, whether for fun and enjoyment, or as a stepping stone to more intense tertiary study. The Conservatorium Mid North Coast is part of the Regional Conservatorium program of NSW Dept of Education and Training.

Funding support via an annual grant from the Department is provided based on the reported activity levels for each autonomous Regional Conservatorium. These funds are then used by those Conservatoriums to provide quality education across a broad range of musical styles, in instrumental and vocal tuition, musicianship, theory, tuition for people with special needs and early childhood, performance ensembles including performances for the community, professional development for teachers and performers to name a few of the areas the Regional Cons address.

The Regional Conservatoriums in NSW have been in existence since the late 1970's as independent, not-for-profit community organisations, and are non-metropolitan by nature. The Regional Conservatoriums are members of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums. CMNC Inc. has been accepted by the Association as an associate member.

In a program unique to New South Wales, they are funded by the State Government (disbursed through the Department of Education and Training) to provide the necessary leadership, resources and expertise to deliver accessible, high quality, life-long music learning for people living outside the major metropolitan centres.

Regional Conservatoriums are located in:
  •   Lismore (Northern Rivers)
  • Grafton (Clarence Valley) 
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Armidale (New England)
  • Tamworth
  • Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter)
  • Gosford (Central Coast)
  • Dubbo (Macquarie)
  • Orange
  • Bathurst (Mitchell)
  • Young
  • Wagga Wagga (Riverina)
  • Goulburn
  • Albury (Murray)
  • Wollongong 
  • Deniliquin (South West); and 
  • Gunnedah. 
Together the 17 Regional Conservatoriums employ more than 560 musicians, conductors and music teachers and deliver tuition to over 20,000 students.

All NSW Regional Conservatoriums are self-governing organisations with community boards. There are currently 2 differing models in operation.
  1.  The first model, used by most Conservatoriums, is that of an organisation employing teachers; either as full-time, part-time, or fee-for-service casual staff.
  2. The second model comprises the majority of tuition being carried out by Music Educator Members teaching on the Conservatorium's behalf in the community. In this second model, the Conservatorium offers co-ordination and additional services (including professional development) to complement the services already on offer in the community. 
CMNC Inc. has resolved to adopt the second model for its intended operations, and is working with the Department to gain admission to the Program.

Currently all 17 NSW Regional Conservatoriums deliver the following educational activities:
  • Individual instrumental / vocal lessons
  • Early Childhood Music classes
  • Ensembles (bands, orchestras, choirs, etc)
  • Student Performances
Currently some NSW Regional Conservatoriums also offer:
  • NSW Board of Studies Curriculum-based music lessons
  • Classroom music lessons (both at Conservatorium facilities and in school/s)
  • Group instrumental / vocal lessons
  • Workshops & Masterclasses
  • Professional Development for Teachers (including Conservatorium teachers, Government and non-government school teachers and private music tutors)
  • Music Therapy services
  • Camps, Tours and Residencies
  • Performances by visiting artists
  • Staff performances
Some NSW Regional Conservatoriums also offer additional resources and other services:
  • Loan or hire of musical instruments to schools, students and community members
  • Music libraries
  • Recording studios
  • Video conferencing facilities
  • Access to computers and other advanced technologies for music studies
  • Venue hire for community use, public music examinations, school use
For the most part, regional conservatoriums are funded to provide individual tuition across the entire range of orchestral and band instruments. In addition, of the more than 20,000 students over 2,500 participate in more than 260 ensembles. These include everything from symphony orchestras to string orchestras, big bands, concert bands, chamber ensembles and recorder groups. Many regional conservatoriums also run music camps, present pedagogy courses and, in some instances, are registered training organisations providing courses up to Advanced Diploma level.

Every conservatorium provides opportunities not only for the community to engage in music activities, but also for school-age students to access the skills of well-trained and experienced educators. A high percentage of students found in the nation’s tertiary music courses have enjoyed their formative years in a regional conservatorium.

Regional conservatoriums also provide other services for their communities, such as music therapy, support for Higher School Certificate students and professional development for local school teachers.

Some of the most exciting initiatives involve the very young, through early childhood music programs. Many of these children progress from these classes to individual tuition, and form the backbone of the regional conservatoriums’ ongoing development.

Some regional conservatoriums in NSW may be major providers of venues for their respective cities or towns, catering not only for their own programs, but also to touring soloists and ensembles. The conservatoriums provide and encourage professional performance opportunities for their staff and support state- and federally-funded performance initiatives across all music genres.

They have become education and performance powerhouses that provide innovative, artistic programs delivered by talented and dedicated staff for the benefit of whole communities. The regional conservatoriums are providing an outstanding contribution to music education and performance in regional NSW.

Further information can be obtained from the Association Website, their Wiki as well as the Department of Education and Training
websites. We would encourage interested members to visit those websites to learn more about the program.

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