Isn’t it lovely when you meet someone new and realise you have a lot in common? The conversation seems to flow easily, you understand each other and have an immediate sense that you were meant to be friends? That is exactly what happens when you play music with others – except there are instruments involved!!
Ensemble playing is the ultimate community get-together and it has the bonus benefits of accelerating the development of musicianship and improving technical playing skills, it does wonders for your aural skills and best of all – it is fun too!
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium provides a range of opportunities for ensemble playing, catering for different musical styles and levels of playing ability. There are also regular exciting opportunities to perform, including community performance nights, concerts for kids, the older community and everyone in between.
We have big bands, little bands, orchestras, choirs, jazz groups, rock bands, guitar groups, string and chamber ensembles – in fact we’ve got just about anything anyone could want. So find your musical tribe today, they are waiting for you!
Ensembles
Youth Jazz Orchestra
Nic Campbell
Monday | 6:30 – 8:00pm
Established in 2010, the Northern Rivers Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO) is the leading pre-professional big band in the Northern Rivers for musicians aged 13-24. Directed by Nic Campbell, who trained with Cristina Leonard at the Sydney Conservatorium, YJO boasts a full complement of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, bass, and guitar.
The orchestra excels in jazz, funk, soul, blues, and fusion, and relishes the challenge of mastering complex charts by Gordon Goodwin, Tower of Power, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington. YJO frequently performs locally and has collaborated with jazz legends like James Morrison and Paul Grabowsky. Alumni have advanced their studies at top institutions, including Monash University and Griffith University, and new members are always welcome.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Jr
Nic Campbell
Monday | 5:00 – 6:00pm
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium Junior Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO Jr) is dedicated to fostering young jazz talent, welcoming musicians from age 8 and up. This group focuses on building foundational improvisation and ensemble skills in a supportive environment.
Members have the unique opportunity to perform with the Senior Youth Jazz Orchestra, gaining invaluable experience and insight into advanced jazz techniques. Through collaborative performances and mentorship, YJO Jr prepares its members for progression to the Senior Youth Jazz Orchestra, ensuring a strong, continuous development of their musical abilities and confidence in jazz performance.
Chamber Strings
Michael McCabe
Wednesday | 5:00 – 6:30pm
This is an ensemble designed to complement and enhance the work that the students are doing in their lessons. The repertoire covers a number of styles from baroque through to rock/jazz. It is here that we explore listening skills for pitch, rhythm, tone and texture within the ensemble as well as the basic “playing together”.
Chamber Strings is a youth ensemble with a minimum standard of AMEB 4th grade through to 8th grade. This group is conductor-less to encourage the players to listen and communicate with each other.
Junior Strings
Mathew Lydon
Tuesdays | 5:15-6:00pm
Designed for primary school-aged students currently learning violin, viola, cello or bass from beginner to third grade levels. Young players have the opportunity to develop their skills alongside students of similar age and ability.
This ensemble aims to assist the students in developing
- technical and musical skills
- reading skills
- confidence
- ensemble skills
- good posture
- best performance practice
Junior Strings is the ideal ensemble in conjunct with their private lesson.
Skills learned in this ensemble will prepare members to progress to higher level String Ensembles and in time, the opportunity to join ensembles of other musical genres.
Cello Ensemble
Michael McCabe
Wednesdays | 11:00am-12:00pm
The Cello Ensemble repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary, and parts can be arranged to suit your ability (or just above, to scaffold you to the next level!). Collaborations between Cello Ensemble and other String Ensembles are a regular feature of the Conservatorium concert calendar.
Soul Good Band
Justin Bannister
Thursdays | 6:00-7:15pm
Want to play music that’s good for the soul?
Look no further than The Soul Good Band! We’ll be focusing on songs that have great melodies, lyrics and groove. This band is for all musicians in their late teens and onwards. The main focus is to have a good time with great music!
Ukestra
Mat Lydon
Thursdays | 12:30-1:30pm
Discover the vibrant world of the Ukulele Orchestra for Adult Learners, where seasoned musicians and enthusiastic novices alike come together to master the art of ukulele playing. This unique ensemble specialises in a diverse range of styles, from the sunny rhythms of Hawaiian swing to the upbeat tempo of western, rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, and big band classics. With a blend of traditional tunes and modern hits, our orchestra offers a refreshing take on timeless genres, all through the cheerful strumming of the ukulele.
Instrument hire
Instrument hire is available to all Conservatorium Students. We have a large array of options, ranging from Woodwind, Brass, Strings, and Guitars. Please contact us to find out more!