Orchestral Program
The Conservatorium conducts a four-tiered orchestral program, comprising:
- Junior Strings (ages approximate 4 - 8 years)
- Tamworth Youth String Orchestra (8 - 12 years)
- Tamworth Youth Philharmonia (12 - 15 years)
- Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra (15 - 19 years)
Junior Strings
All young beginner String students are encouraged to participate in group lessons, which assist in maintaining motivation and providing relevance to their individual lessons. The lessons encompass a variety of music games based on concepts of music reading, awareness and posture, as well as development of repertoire.
At the appropriate level, students advance to the next orchestral tier:-
Junior Strings
Tamworth Youth String Orchestra
Musical development focuses on enhancing reading skills, repertoire and social interaction. Students are provided with opportunities to work with some of Australia's outstanding musicians. When the appropriate level has been reached, they advance to:-
Tamworth Youth String Orchestra performing in the Conservatorium Showcase, held annually in the Tamworth Town Hall.
Tamworth Youth Philharmonia
The orchestra was founded in 1997, to provide a 'feeder' to the fourth tier, Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra.
The aim is to enhance existing individual music activities, and to expose players to a broad range of musical knowledge and repertoire.
The focus is on orchestral performance, particularly ensemble techniques, sight reading, listening and communication skills.
Since its formation, the orchestra has benefited from opportunities to work with some of Australia's finest musicians, conductors and educators, not the least being Richard Gill OAM, and Graham Abbott, renowned conductor and presenter of 'Keys to Music', ABC Radio.
In 2005 the orchestra was privileged to work with Australian composer, Elena Kats-Chernin, whose commissioned work, 'Celebration Tango', it performed at a public concert to celebrate the Conservatorium's 21st birthday.
Students progress to the final tier:-
Tamworth Youth Philharmonia.
Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra
This provides a stimulating environment in which players develop high-level ensemble techniques and advanced playing skills.
In 2006, the orchestra was invited to perform the World Premiere of a work by Australian composer, Matthew Hindson, commissioned by Orchestras Australia for a nationwide Orchestral Forum, held in Melbourne in August. The orchestra was privileged to meet, and work with, the composer, who travelled to Tamworth for the State Premiere of the work, 'An Infernal Machine', at the annual Conservatorium Showcase.
Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra performing in St Stanislaus Chapel, Convent of Mercy, Singleton
Members of Tamworth Regional Youth Orchestra, enjoying lunch at SSS BBQ Barn, Muswellbrook.
