Events & NEWS
A WELCOME FROM THE CONSERVATORIUM DIRECTOR
Term 2 is shaping up to be a beauty!
Hello to all students, staff and members of the MitCon community.
What a fabulous term 1 we had at MitCon … the Con was alive with activity, with one-to-one and group lessons in full swing, ensembles meeting weekly and some great musical events.
And term 2 is turning out to be just as exciting!
At the recent Festival of Bells, both our Concert Band under the direction of David Hood and our new big band jazz Connections under my direction took part in the Festival of Bells as part of a terrific day’s program which was not in the least dampened by the inclement weather. A large crowd gathered in All Saints’ Cathedral (as well as a few hearty souls under the shelter of the Courthouse across the road) to listen to a varied and enjoyable program of music, showcasing Bathurst’s wonderful Carillon played by visiting artists and our extraordinary local performers.
And then on Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May, the Allegri Singers along with the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, flautist Emma Knott, and trumpeters David Hood and Laykus Woods featured in two concerts featuring the music of Vivaldi, J.S. Bach and others. Over 30 people attended in Lithgow and about 120 in Bathurst – what a great crowd, braving the cold and rain to hear a wonderful afternoon of music. Congratulations to all involved!
Keep an eye out on this page for news of our two exciting Cabaret evenings planned for July this year at Keystone 1889.
By the way, did you know that MitCon offers an improvisation class for aspiring jazz musicians run by Brendon McLeod on Wednesday evenings? If you have an interest in developing your skills in this area, give our office a ring for full details.
Has news of these concerts made you think you would like to be a part of MitCon activities? For those considering joining one of our ensembles, don’t forget that MitCon offers a Three for Free deal with its ensembles for potential new members. Come along to an ensemble and try three consecutive sessions for free, and then enrol for the rest of the term at a pro rata rate. We will even waive the usual annual enrolment fee ($50), so now is the time to get serious about singing or playing an instrument!.
Looking forward to seeing you on campus or at one of our great concerts.
Andrew Smith
UPCOMING CONCERTS AND EVENTS
Two evenings of great Cabaret at Keystone 1889, 21& 22 July 2023
Watch this spot for upcoming details!
MitCon News
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra performs music by Vivaldi, J.S. Bach and others with the Allegri Singers at Lithgow and Bathurst
All in all, nearly 160 people attended two concerts by the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra and the Allegri Singers on the weekend of 6-7 May 2023 despite very wintery weather. The first concert was presented at Hoskins Memorial Uniting Church in Lithgow, the second at Bathurst Uniting Church.
The program included the famous Vivaldi “Gloria”, with William Moxey conducting, soloists Bethany Carter-Sherlock (soprano) and Amelia Bland (mezzo-soprano), the Allegri Singers, and the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, the latter led by violinist Nicole Hammill.
Vivaldi’s musical genius was also on display with a spirited rendition of the Concerto in C for Two Trumpets, with MitCon teacher David Hood and MitCon associate teacher Laykus Woods as trumpet soloists.
The audience was also treated to three pieces sang by the Allegri Singers: Gerald Finzi’s “Feat no more the heat o’ the sun”, Tomas Luis de Victoria’s “O Magnam Mysterium”, and American composer Frank Ticheli’s moving “Earth Song”. Luke Moxey ably accompanied.
Flautist Emma Knott featured in J.S Bach’s Suite No 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067, with the orchestra led by Dr Nicole Hammill.
Photographs from the 6-7 May 2023 Bathurst Chamber Orchestra concert
Strong MitCon representation at inaugural Bathurst Performance Exchange, Keystone 1889, 30 April 2023
On Sunday 30 April 2023 Mitchell Conservatorium vocal students joined by Conservatorium singing and piano teacher Michelle Griffin took to the stage at the inaugural Bathurst Performance Exchange at Keystone 1889, Keppel Street, Bathurst. This was an opportunity to showcase local talent and to perform and promote upcoming shows in a friendly and relaxed setting.
The Conservatorium students got to close out the show and brought down the house with rousing performance numbers from the Con’s two upcoming Cabaret evenings on 21 & 22 July 2023 at Keystone.
Enjoy these photographs taken on the day!
Connections, Concert Band & Vox at the Festival of Bells, 29 April
Bathurst Chamber Orchestra performs Bach, Handel, Rimsky-Korsakov and others at Palm Sunday Concert at Bathurst Uniting Church
Photographs and videos from the BCO Easter Concert
Click on the video below to hear the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra play “Were you there?” at the 2 April 2023 concert.
Click on the video below to hear the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra play the Sarabande from J.S. Bach’s “Suite No 2 in B minor” with Emma Knott as flute soloist.
Congratulations to MitCon singing teacher Alyson Laver who was a finalist in the 2023 Bathurst Regional Songwriting Competition. Alyson performed her song, Four Walls, to a capacity and enthusiastic audience at a gala event at Keystone 1889 on 23 February 2023, with a fabulous six-piece backing band. We hope to hear more songs from Alyson over the coming year!
MitCon’s Term 1 2023 newsletter is now out! Did you get a copy? If not, click the button!
MitCon offers another Early Childhood Music class for Babies!
If you have a baby aged 0 to 2 years of age and would like to enrol them in a fun and instructive Early Childhood Music class, MitCon now offers you two choices! In addition to our Wednesday morning 10.30 to 11.00am classes for babies, our teacher Elissa Jones is now offering 10.30 to 11.00am Friday classes. Come along and experience the wonder of watching your baby start to learn the joy of music in a fun, dynamic and supportive environment… click here for full details!