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From NECOM Director, Russell Bauer
What an absolutely stunning outcome for the students of the Armidale region as a result of the auditions for the Gondwana Choirs in 2018, with 27 of our choristers successful in being offered a place in Australia’s most revered Choral program. I won’t “steal too much thunder” in this opening report (you can read about the auditions in more details within this newsletter), but suffice to say that this result is without parallel for regions the size of ours. Congratulations to all who were involved!
As we head into November, we look forward to upcoming end-of-year performances with several concerts lined up in the last 10 days of the month. Make sure you check the NECOM calendar and emails so you don’t miss out on the Foundation, Choral and Chamber Christmas Concerts.
As Director of the Conservatorium, I’ll be looking to 2018 as an opportunity to introduce some new initiatives; the first of these is a relationship with the New England Conservatory in Boston, which you can read more about in the links below. This is an exciting opportunity to partner with one of America’s most respected music institutions, and could pave the way for students and staff from both organisations to visit each other in an international exchange program.
Also in 2018, NECOM will be looking into the feasibility of creating a Percussion Ensemble and Drumline, which would give Armidale piano students (in particular) an avenue for developing ensemble skills. NECOM will work closely with the members of the Armidale Music Teachers Association (AMTA) and local piano teachers in the area to consider how a proposal like this might best serve the needs of young percussionists and pianists, while also supporting and enhancing existing school music programs.
Mr Russell Bauer
Director
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| IN THIS EDITION - October 2017 |
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| Outstanding Number of Gondwana Places Offered to Armidale Students |
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An incredible 27 students from Armidale have been selected from almost a thousand applicants for the 2018 Gondwana National Choral School after a rigorous nationwide audition process. Through Gondwana, these young people will have access to world-class training by leading artists and be part of a group of equally passionate and talented young singers.
Read more |
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| NECOM wins funding from Greater Bank |
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With a staggering 30,000 votes from supporters of NECOM, the Greater Bank has awarded the prize of $3000 that will be used in 2018 to allow schools from remote and regional areas to be apart of New England Sings.
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| Dead Composers Society |
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| A second group of intrepid students signed up for the Dead Composers Society, a secretive guild of young musicologists charged with the duty of investigating some of history’s most mysterious music. Read more |
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| Update on Music Therapy |
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Last month we had to sadly accept the resignation of our excellent music therapist, Hannah Rowland, who is busily completing her Education degree. While NECOM was unable to offer Music Therapy in Term Four, it is anticipated that a new practitioner will be connected to the Conservatorium from the start of 2018. Read more
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| Partnership with New England Conservatory |
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| What do Armidale and Boston have in common? Boston is 30 times larger than Armidale, and is almost exactly 10,000 miles away (in the old scale), but they both have a school of music called the New England Conservatorium! You may be surprised to learn that these two organisations have a lot more in common than just a name. Read more |
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| Mini Bass Program |
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| Announcing NECOM’s new Mini Bass program to commence in Term 1, 2018. Term 1 sessions will provide a fun introduction to learning the double bass in a group environment once a week. Emphasis will be on games and improvisation activities to develop introductory technique. Read more. |
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| Student Spotlight - Flint Brothers |
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Brothers, Gus and Robert (on alto saxophone and trumpet respectively), are our Student Spotlight for the month of October. Here they are playing a spooky Halloween medley. The boys are taught by Paul Marshall and are part of the Huff 'n' Puffs ensemble. We'd like to include a big thank you to Laura for her special cameo at the end of the video. Well done, Robert and Gus!
Watch the video here |
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| October Strings Report |
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Term 4 has begun in earnest with HSC Music Extension Exams finished for the year, the performance of Paul Jarman's Soldier On at TAS, a Con Brio Concert, New England Sinfonia revival, upcoming Scales Parties, video link lessons with ANU, studio and End of Year concerts coming up. Read more
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| Teacher Spotlight |
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Camilla grew up in Armidale on unceded Anaiwan land, where she began learning cello with Susan Metcalfe at the age of five. She holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, where she studied modern cello with Markus Stocker and Molly Kadarauch respectively.
Read more |
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| Upcoming Christmas Concerts |
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November is a busy time for concerts at NECOM. You'll be able to hear the culmination of the hard work and effort that went into this year for our students. NECOM's annual two big Christmas concerts - Foundation Ensembles on 21 November and the Christmas Choral Concert will be on 29 November.
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| Sam Thatcher Encore Nomination |
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| Congratulations to TAS student Sam Thatcher on being nominated for the 2018 HSC ENCORE showcase concert. ENCORE is a program of outstanding performances and compositions by students from the 2017 HSC Music examinations held annually at the Sydney Opera House. Read more |
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| PLC Armidale presents The Sound of Music |
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Where: UNE Arts Theatre
When: Thursday 9 November 7:00 pm
Friday 10 November 7:00 pm
Saturday 11 November 1:30pm and 7:00pm
Tickets: Adults $25 Children $13
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/RYIM
The "hills are alive" at PLC Armidale, with The Sound of Music! PLC Productions present their interpretation of the much loved international musical with music composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, from the book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. |
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| AYO Gala Concert 2017 |
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Where: Lazenby Hall, UNE
When: 12 November
Cost: $15 Adults, $10 Concessions, $5 Children, $35 family
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/SAWM
A special end of year concert for the Armidale Youth Orchestras including: Armidale Youth String Orchestra, AYO Sinfonia AYO Symphonic Winds Armidale Youth Orchestra. This year we are focussing on music from the movies. Come dressed as your favourite movie character. There will be door prizes, and a very fun afternoon of music. Come and support youth music making in Armidale! |
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| Jazz at NECOM |
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Where: NECOM Auditorium
When: 5-6:30pm Thursday November 16
Cost: Free
Jazz enthusiasts young and old are invited to come to the NECOM Auditorium to play through some jazz standards; Anyone who has played for at least three years should feel comfortable with most of the pieces, and ideal instruments are clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums. Audience members are most welcome to sit in and enjoy the afternoon’s music (but remember, we’re all sight-reading), and entry is free to all. |
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| Fiori Musicali with Isla Biffin |
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Where: Our Lady of the Angels Chapel - Armidale
When: Sunday 19 November 5:00pm
Cost: Adults $20 Concession $15 Children $10
Tickets available at the door
Fiori Musicali presents a concert of beautiful seasonal music, featuring works by Benjamin Britten, Vaughan Williams, and others. |
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| Glen Innes Highlands String Music Convention |
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| The String Music Convention 17-19 November is a Workshop Weekend for all enthusiastic String Musicians which will be held at Glen Innes Services Club. Workshops include Writing Lyrics for Guitar and Mandolin, Celtic Fiddle, Celtic Guitar, Banjo in Celtic Music, and 2 classes (Beginner and Advanced) for Strings – violin, viola, cello and double bass. Read more |
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PERFORMING ARTS HEALTHCARE SYMPOSIUM
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Where: Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff, NSW
When: Saturday November 25th (registrations close November 17th)
Time: 8am - 6pm
Register and read more: www.aspah.org.au/events/symposium-2017
This event will feature keynote speaker, Associate Professor David Butler, a physiotherapist, educationalist, researcher and clinician. He is a director of the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute and will present a lecture assessing the contributions of neuroscience and neuroplasticity to understanding both pain and performance, and a workshop exploring practical applications for managing our brain’s construction of pain.
Researchers and clinicians in the field of performing arts healthcare will present their latest research and discuss possible strategies for overcoming the health challenges associated with being a performing artist. |
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| Dead Composers Society |
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Where: NECOM
When: Tuesday 28 November
Time: 4-5:30pm
Cost: Free
All current Society members are invited and new students are most welcome. This session will explore the works of Beethoven and Schubert. Please RSVP to director@necom.org.au |
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| 15-Inch Viola |
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Only slightly larger than a full-size violin, Gliga instrument built in 2012. Lovely tone, excellent condition, comes with full set up: Viola, bow, shoulder rest, rosin, dust jacket
$400.00
Please contact Laura@necom.org.au to try out this excellent instrument. |
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| 14-Inch Gliga Viola |
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Gliga Viola in excellent condition. Comes with bow and case.
$490.00
Please contact Elinar on 0456 600 591
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| Atlas Upright Piano |
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In beautiful condition with stool.
$750 neg.
Contact Joanne on 0437 552 406 |
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