Director’s Annual  Report 2007/8

The events calendar attached to my report again encloses the intense nature of the performance culture at the Central Coast Conservatorium. We have again averaged at least one presentation a week for which the Conservatorium is solely responsible.

Following positive feedback from our 25 years celebration concert calendar, we have continued with a similar version throughout 2008   In addition the new Greenway Concert Series has so far been a great success.

The performance schedule is now almost taken for granted but we must never lose sight of the added administration component this requires.

The first step forward for our core programme this year has been the completion of the instrumental curriculum from Preliminary to Diploma level under the continued guidance of Mark Walton our Curriculum Consultant.  The curriculum and assessment framework will be fully operational by 2009.

The development of this curriculum has been supported by a nucleus of dedicated tutors.  Their belief in the benefits of such a structure for the Con should ensure its success.  While a non-tertiary curriculum is not unique, the Central Coast Conservatorium will be the first Regional Conservatorium in N.S.W. to have implemented such a framework.

Completion of the curriculum coincides with the Conservatorium’s application for R.T.O. status (Registered Training Organization) lodged in recent weeks.  The application is the result of a huge effort on behalf of the management most of which has been borne by Frank Cubirka our B.M. 

This is the second major step the Con has taken this year and moves us into somewhat uncharted territory in administration, however, when the status is finalised the Central Coast Conservatorium can take ownership of the Certificate IV course it is currently delivering and develop further accredited courses centered around the curriculum framework we now have.  This could lead to immediate partnerships with neighboring tertiary institutions.

With the exception of Term2 this year enrolments and tuition hours have increased.  The dip in student numbers since Easter may reflect the economic downturn but reminds us that we are still heavily dependant on student fees for viability.

Retaining students during hard economic times will test how far we have come in programme structure and the value parents and students put on the outcomes we offer.

Last year I concluded this report by stating the future for the Central Coast Conservatorium never looked brighter.  While we can still hold this view in general terms there are two important issues which could impact on the future of the Conservatorium in the coming year.

Firstly, the Association of Regional Conservatoriums has secured a State Government Review of the Regional Conservatorium Network in N.S.W. and we eagerly await the result of the review and associated recommendations regarding the funding infrastructure.  The recommendations from the Executive of the Association to the Review Committee regarding a sustainable package for the future would solve many of the immediate problems associated with the shortage of funding we currently experience.

However the Review committee comprises of the Department of Regional Development and Arts NSW in addition to DET and we cannot assume that recommendations will be restricted to funding.

Secondly, the future of the orchestral programme both Youth and Community/ Professional on the Central Coast is not secure.

The flagship for this programme the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra is struggling to develop its programme while at the same time remain viable.

The present orchestra committee should take much credit in the fact that since it’s inception in 1999 the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra has made huge progress in its expansion of repertoire and level of performance.

Much of this burden has fallen on the President Hilary Day whose contribution has been steadfast. Hilary has recently relinquished the President’s position after a long and exhausting tenure.

Should the C.C.S.O. falter at this stage we should not under estimate the negative effect it would have on the further strategy for the Conservatorium, its instrumental programme and the political case for an acoustic performance space, all of which have become inextricably entwined. Current strategies to solve to immediate issue have stuttered but there is no reason to feel at this stage that they have reached a negative conclusion.

Meanwhile the M.O.U now signed between the Conservatorium and the C.C.S.O. should bring the Conservatorium and the C.C.S.O. committee together with a strong sense of urgency in securing the future.

With the evolution of the Central Coast as a Region remaining very much an ‘open book’ the Conservatorium will need a close relationship with all its affiliated groups and stakeholders to maintain a leadership role.

Finally highlights from our Concert Calendar this year included; 

Visit to Christchurch New Zealand by Woodwind and String students;

Happy Hands Piano Faculty Concert

Little Proms CCSO and Con Youth Orch (audience development programme)

Don Andrews and George Golla in concert

Trevor Haines Scholarship Awarded to Naomi Asakawa

Emperor Concerto performed by Phillip Shovk and CCSO

Senior Strings at Opera in the Arboretum Pearl Beach

There have also been some encouraging AMEB and Eisteddfod results which we hope will help to profile “excellence” at the Conservatorium.

Once again the Con is indebted to its dedicated and quality tutoring faculty most of whom go the extra mile to ensure students are reaching their full potential.

We also rely heavily on the tenacity of our Business Manager Frank Cubirka in constantly monitoring our financial performance and working behind the scenes on management initiatives and infrastructure.

Phyllis Gibson has also proved a patient and determined addition to our administration team in marshalling forty plus artist temperaments into communication and events management procedures while Sharon; Maree and Eva have looked after the day to day continuity in the office.

Once again it is time to personally thank Board Members who give willingly of their time to assist in our mission of “keeping the joy of live music alive” in a challenging environment.

The remainder of this year and 2009 may bring some unexpected challenges for us however they will never be more than musicians have faced in times gone by.

Historically we live in an age where more people have a connection with music than ever before.

Making that connection come alive will be the role of the Conservatorium in the 21^st century.

                                                            Christopher Bearman   A.G.S.M.
                                                            Director

EVENTS:

WED OCT. 3^rd                        Farewell Concert Senior Strings and Saxinettes                 RKH

 FRI. OCT. 5^th / 10^th      Senior Strings and Saxinettes visit to Christchurch NZ

                                   20 students Directed by David Dallinger and Christopher

                                    Bearman accompanied by Suzanne Borrett and Lyndal Kelly.

 SUN OCT 21^st                 Blown away Woodwind and Brass Tutor’s Concert                          RKH
David Dallinger, Rachel Tolmie, Micheal Wheeler,
Rowen McBride and Simon Moffat

 SUN OCT 28^TH           “Happy Hands” Piano Tutors Concert                                                RKH
Rosemary Whitcomb, Leo Dellolio, Tibor Szakos,
Svetlana Vokurka and Carl Schmidt

 SAT NOV 3^rd               Performance Practice                                                                      RKH

 SUN NOV 4^TH             Mad Mad Music Day

                                    Schools Prog. Showcase Rowen McBride               Narara Valley H.S.

 SAT NOV 10^TH            Performance Practice                                                                     RKH

 SUN NOV 11^TH           Woodwind and Brass student Showcase                                          RKH
                                   David Dallinger and Rowen McBride

 WED NOV 14^TH          RECITAL       Eric Cathan (Guitar)                                                     RKH

 SAT NOV 17^TH            RECITAL       Gareth Szakos (Piano)                                                RKH

 SUN NOV 18^TH           RECITAL        David Dallinger (Saxophone)                                       RKH

 NOV 24^TH                    Central Coast Philharmonia    Bach and Sons                                  GHS

 NOV 24^TH                    Central Coast Symphony Orch. Little Proms                               Erina Fair

 DEC 1^st                       Trevor Haines & Frank Streather Schol. Final                                  RKH

                                    Adjudicator – Philip Shovk                                                                                     

 DEC 1^st                       Senior String Orch. Concert                                                           RKH

 DEC 4^TH                      Guitar Students of Kim Cannon                                                      RKH

 DEC 5^th                       Guitar Dept. Concert                                                                      RKH

 DEC 8^th                       End of Year Ensembles Concert                                                       GHS

 DEC 9^th                       CCSO “Ballet Masterpieces”                                                            LST

 DEC 10^th                     CCC Youth Orch/Christchurch Youth Orch.                                      GHS

 DEC 14^th                     Lakes Strings End of Year Concert                                      Kanwal P.S.  

DEC 15^th                     Vocal Dept. Concert                                                      Valley View P.S.

 DEC 16^th                     Concertante Christmas Concert                                 Greenway Chapel  

                                   Mark Walton Clarinet

 JAN 14/19^th   2008      Vocal Summer School                                                         CON     

 JAN 14/17^TH               Guitar Summer School                                                          CON

 JAN 18/20^th                Woodwind/Brass Summer School                                           CON

 JAN 22/25^th                String Summer School                                                           CON  

 MAR 6^TH                             Don Andrews & George Golla in Concert                                RKH

 MAR 8^th                       Performance Practice                                                            RKH

 MAR 15^th                     Masterclass; Jeremy Williams (violin Viola)                            RKH

 MAR 29^th                     Senior String Orch at Opera in the Arboretum                   Pearl Beach     

 APR 1^st                        Piano Dept. Concert Practice                                                  RKH

 APR 3^rd                       Guitar Dept. End of Term Concert                                             RKH

 APR 6^th                       Greenway Series Concert 1                                       Greenway Chapel

 APR 12^th                     Woodwind Concert Practice                                                              RKH

 APR 19^th                     CC Philharmonia “Earthly Delights”                                                   GHS

MAY 4^TH                      Greenway Concert Series Students from Sydney          Greenway Chapel

                                   Conservatorium Jazz Dept.

 MAY 4^th           Pearl Beach Progress Assoc. Schol. Award      Progress Hall Pearl Beach

 MAY 10^th         AMEB Workshop for Woodwind Students                                   Erina Fair

                                                            David Dallinger

 MAY 17^th         Little Proms Concerts for young Children Con YO                      Erina Fair

 MAY 18^th         Con Spirito with Rosemary Witcomb (Piano)                                       RKH

 MAY 24^th         Performance Practice                                                                          RKH

 MAY 25^th         Classical Guitar Duo Eric Cathan & Giuseppe Zingara                        RKH

 MAY 31^st                      AMEB Workhop David Dallinger                                               RKH

 JUNE 1^ST                    Rotary Gala Concert                                       Central Coast Leagues Club

                                    (CCSO Scholarship awarded to Matthew Bubb Con Student)

JUNE 7^th                      Concertante at Pear Beach Music Festival                             Pearl Beach

 JUNE 13^th                    Guitar Students of Eric Cathan                                               RKH

 JUNE 14^th                    Performance Practice                                                             RKH

 JUNE 14^th                    Trevor Haines & Frank Streather Concerto Competition           RKH

                                    (Preliminary Round) adjudicator Patrick Brislan

 JUNE 20^TH                  Senior String Quartet at Somersby Rotary Club                  Phillip House   

 JUNE 21^ST                  Con Youth Band and Saxinettes Concert                          Valley View P.S.

                                    Phillip Rutherford and David Dallinger

 JUNE 21^st                    Senior String Quartet at 5 Lands Walk                                Terrigal Haven

 JUNE 22^nd                   CCSO Family Concert Joint project with NAISDA                             LST

 JUNE 26^TH                  Guitar Students Concert                                                               RKH

 JUNE 28^th                    Stringfest                                                     Youth Arts Warehouse

 JULY 1^st                       Big Day Out (School Band Workshop)                           Challenge Ranch

 JULY 5^th                      Mid-year Junior Vocal Concert                                          CON

 JULY 6^th                      Con Spirito with Rachel Tolmie                                      Greenway Chapel

 AUG 2^nd                       Performance Practice                                                      RKH

 AUG 3^rd                       Concertante and Cantata Ensembles -Bach                 Greenway Chapel                                                                   

 AUG 8^th                       Conservatorium Youth Orch. Concert                    Youth Arts Warehouse

 AUG 9^th                       CC Philharmonia Sing Swing                                                 Wyong H.S.

 AUG 10^th                     CCSO Waltz in Vienna                                                           Mingara    

 AUG 16^th                     Performance Practice                                                              RKH

 AUG 16^th                     CMP Workshop  Gary & Carol Crees                                        CON

 AUG 23^rd                     Festival of Voices                                                        St Patricks School

 AUG 29^th                     Senior String Quartet at        Rotary Club Gosford     Reg. Art Gallery

 AUG 30^th                     Performance Practice                                                             RKH

 SEPT 5^th/8^th                Crossroads Chamber Music Festival includes           Greenway, CON
Concertante                                                                and other Venues

 SEPT 14^th                   Simon Tedeschi Recital   FOPAP                               Kincumber U.C.

 SEPT 16^th                   Piano Concert Practice                                                      RKH

 SEPT 18^th                   Student of Guitar Dept.                                                     RKH

SEPT 21^st                    CCSO Dvorak in Spring                                                    LST