Goulburn's cultural arts sector has scored almost $500,000 in state government funding to upgrade equipment and assist fit-out of the city's Performing Arts Centre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Hume Regional Conservatorium was awarded $249,700 and Goulburn Mulwaree Council - $244,898 as part of the $60 million Creative Capital Program, announced last week.
The "complementary" application acknowledged that both facilities would collaborate on events and programs.
READ MORE:
Conservatorium director Jacqui Smith said there were many opportunities for the two venues to cooperate. A strategic partnership has been formed to boost community engagement in the performing arts, support community cultural development and share resources and skills. It's aimed at positioning Goulburn as a "centre of excellence" for contemporary live performance and music education.
Ms Smith said the funding was very welcome.
"All of our pianos need upgrading because they're from the 1970s," she said.
"We will now have a grand piano for our new Creative Precinct and five digital pianos for use in school music education and to share with community groups."
The digital pianos also enable remote learning. A student in a country area, for example, can play along to the piano in Goulburn. Ms Smith described it as an "amazing teaching tool."
In addition, the grant will fund a full technology upgrade for teaching spaces, including 16 Macs.
The Performing Arts Centre money will also be put to good use. A council spokesman said it would fund sound and lighting equipment for the foyer area, which will be used for smaller performances. It will also pay for portable stage equipment to enable outside events.
The PAC and the Conservatorium will share orchestra equipment. The former is due to open on March 25. It has already sold out several shows to be staged in the first weeks.
Meantime, the Con is gearing up to open its now completed Creative Precinct, a new 150-seat space with movable stage and large foyer accommodating 80 people and other performances.
Ms Smith said the Precinct would have large screens and projectors and be available for community use. Next year, the Rocky Hill Musical Theatre Company will stage Aida there.
"We'll be doing a lot more musical theatre in 2022. We're bringing it back," Ms Smith said.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music's Inclusion Project team will visit in April and following workshops with locals, stage a musical theatre show.
The inaugural Chamber of Music Festival is planned for September 16 and 17. Con students will join Sydney Chamber Choir, Ensemble Offspring and cabaret duo, Simon Tedeschi and George Washingmachine for the event.
At the March 2 Arts Precinct opening, the state government will also announce the Con as a venue for Music in the Region. Arts Minister Don Harwin started the initiative after realising that little classical music was being played in rural areas.
"There will be a database of venues to make it easier for touring artists to travel and perform at these venues," Ms Smith said.
Outside the venue, the Con's choir will join other local and visiting choirs to present The Messiah at Saint Saviour's Cathedral in late 2022.
The Conservatorium, which has been delivering music education in Goulburn and region for almost 40 years, has 1300 students, including 1000 in schools.
Ms Smith was appointed to the role in August, amid the COVID lockdown.
"It's been a term of no in-person classes, which has been strange," she said.
"Six weeks into this term, everything is back and we will have our first concert (in the Creative Precinct) on Wednesday. Hopefully everything will be back to normal in 2022."
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.
Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
