PRESS RELEASE
10 December 2009
CONSERVATORIUM
FINALLY A REALITY!
The vision of a Regional
Conservatorium on the MNC is finally to become a reality.
The Board of Conservatorium Mid
North Coast (CMNC) has just received notification from the Department of Education
and Training that they have been allocated seed funding for twelve months to
establish CMNC and prepare it for inclusion into the NSW Association of
Regional Conservatoriums. The money will
largely be used to pay the salary of a Project Officer who will coordinate the
establishment of the new “Con” under the guidance of the Board of Management.
“This has been five years in the planning and we could not
have a better Christmas present!” said Chair of the Board Leigh Vaughan. The vision for the Conservatorium is to
provide equitable access for people of all ages to music of all genres, and
music education in the full range of instruments and voices across the region,
with a focus on musical excellence. It will operate over three Local Government
Areas (LGAs) –Great
Lakes, Greater Taree and Port Macquarie Hastings.
The Mid North Coast is one of
the fastest growing areas of the State and there is an urgent need here for a Regional
Conservatorium of Music to provide opportunities for students of all ages and their
teachers to further their learning and develop their musicianship.
CMNC will not initially be a bricks
and mortar institution. The model that seems to suit this situation at the
present is of a central administration - agreed to be Taree - encouraging all existing
teachers and their studios to become accredited with the “Con” and then drawing
in other experienced teachers (in instruments not being taught at the moment) and
tutors to operate in the various centres. It is also feasible that satellite
support office spaces (access to internet, desk space etc) in the other LGAs
will be sought.
Support from all schools on the MNC
is crucial as Regional Conservatoriums are funded by the Special Projects
Department of the NSW Department of Education and Training and very close links
need to be formed amongst all the schools with CMNC and its tutors. Involvement
will also occur with existing performing ensembles both in the schools and in
the communities. The Great Lakes Learning Community has already signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with CMNC and support from school organisations in
other LGAs is in the process of being formalised
“I would like to acknowledge the
support of Richard Holloway of Arts Mid North Coast who has supported us from the
very beginning, first as an auspicing body, then later with legal framework,
and encouragement” said Leigh.
“I also acknowledge the other
members of the Board who have worked so hard to bring this dream to a reality.
We have written funding applications, we have written policy documents and
business plans, become incorporated and developed a constitution. We have
surveyed music teachers and large numbers of students in all areas. All the necessary, time consuming paper work
needed to establish a Regional Conservatorium is ready, and all prepared by
volunteers. We are now ready to hand
over establishment and day to day operation to a paid administrator and that is
where the funding comes in.”
In the early days, support chapters were formed in each of three
Local Government Areas – Great Lakes, Greater
Taree, and Port Macquarie Hastings which are each supported by their own
council. These Chapters will continue to play an important role in the growth
of the “Con”.
Representative from each Chapter
were elected to form the inaugural Regional Board of Conservatorium Mid North Coast.
Current members now are:
Port Macquarie Hastings: Greg Cook (treasurer) and Brian Corrigan (minutes secretary)
Greater Taree: Rob Stephens,
Cate Jeffree and Elizabeth Berry
Great Lakes:
John Davies (secretary) Vincent
Jensen and Leigh Vaughan (chair)
This Board will continue to
manage CMNC and support its administrator, as well as providing guidance and
accountability.
“CMNC is now ready to begin as a
unique and dynamic organisation which will service the musical life of the whole
of the lower MNC, though with apologies to Winston Churchill, this is just the
End of the Beginning.” said Leigh. “Now the real work begins!”
All questions and
for any further information please contact:
Chair CMNC Leigh
Vaughan
H 6555 7489
M - 0417 289 077
E leighv@tpg.com.au
E leighv@tpg.com.a
