THE MEMORANDA
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What's on in Term 4 Lessons at the Conservatorium: 12 Oct-18 Dec (10 weeks)
Welcome to Term 4 at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium. Congratulations to everyone who completed the HSC Music performance exams at the end of Term 3. There were some spectacular performances. It’s pretty hard to believe that we’ve already reached Term 4, and preparations for Christmas concerts have begun. There are some new programs starting up and new tutors coming on board; make sure to have a look at them. We hope to see you around making music this term.
14 Oct - David Jones Drum Clinic- 6.30-8.00pm 27 Oct - Adult PAN -7.00pm 2 Nov - Estampa (FREE concert at Market Square) 7.00pm 4 Nov - Valley School’s on Show (10.00-2.30) Market Square) 16 Nov - Scholarship Applications Close 20 Nov - Scholarship Auditions 22 Nov - St Cecillia’s Day Concert -3pm 2 Dec - Scholarship PAN 3 Dec - Christmas at the Con 7-10 Dec - PAN Concerts 18 Dec - Last day of lessons at CVCon
BOOK TICKETS
Contact CVCon
All students from Term 3 2026 have been re-enrolled for Term 4 2026, unless you have indicated otherwise.
ADULT PAN
INVITING ADULT STUDENTS
PERFORMING ARTS NIGHT SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT CLARENCE VALLEY CONSERVATORIUM
M O R A N
A U D I T O R I U M
TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 7:00 PM
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CVCON
DAVID JONES — DRUM CLINIC TOUR 2026
CLARENCE VALLEY CONSERVATORIUM
This October, experience an extraordinary evening with one of Australia’s most accomplished and versatile drummers — David Jones. With a career spanning more than four decades, David has performed and recorded across jazz, rock, pop, classical, world music, theatre and television, working alongside some of the biggest names in Australian and international music.
Stevie Wonder Don Burrows
⭐ PERFORMED WITH
John Farnham James Morrison John Denver Tommy Emmanuel Marcia Hines Kate Ceberano Don McLean Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
🎼 MAJOR ORCHESTRAS & ENSEMBLES
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Queensland Orchestra
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa West German Radio Big Band
🏆 AWARD-WINNING CAREER
David was awarded the Melbourne Prize for Music in 2010, becoming the first drummer to receive the prestigious award. His album Colours of the Drum was also nominated for an ARIA Award, while his composition The River Meets the Sea received Instrumental Work of the Year at the 2009 APRA Classical Music Awards.
🥁 EXPERIENCE DAVID JONES LIVE
Expect 90 minutes of performance, technique, stories, musical insights and inspiration, followed by a Meet & Greet with David.
Whether you're a beginner, an advanced player, music educator or simply love great musicianship — this is an opportunity to experience one of Australia’s great drumming talents up close.
📍 GRAFTON — Wed 14 Oct
Clarence Valley Conservatorium
🎟 Tickets: $38
BOOK NOW
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Visit David’s Website to see him in action
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Postcards – Melodies from Afar A Musical Voyage across Cultures and Continents. Embark on a captivating musical journey with Postcards – Melodies from Afar, a concert that blends jazz, classical, folk and world music in a truly unique experience. From the fierce folky jazz of Django Reinhardt’s Seul ce soir to the romantic bossa nova of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Corcovado, this performance explores the depth and beauty of diverse musical traditions. Original compositions like Hora De Nundah, inspired by Balkan rhythms, and N'Awlins, capturing the essence of New Orleans jazz, are paired with traditional Swedish folk songs like Kristallen den fina and Halling Från Ekshärad. Experience a beautiful arrangement that intertwines Chopin’s Prelude in E minor with Jobim’s How Insensitive, effortlessly blending classical and bossa nova. Bie Mir Bistu Shein is a beloved Yiddish classic that evokes a nostalgic charm, while the lively rhythms of Farmors Brudpolska transports you across continents. The concert concludes with a brilliant arrangement of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, celebrating the timeless appeal of Baroque music.
Estampa Estampa is a Brisbane quartet that blends elements of world, folk, chamber and jazz music. Their performances evoke the charm of Parisian streets, the passion of South American culture, and the haunting beauty of Swedish folk music. The group's diverse and unconventional instrumentation creates a captivating and dynamic sound that is sure to enthral any listener. Estampa features Rebecca Karlen on violin, viola, nyckelharpa and vocals, Paul Henderson on guitar and banjo, John Reeves on button accordion, and Samuel Vincent on double bass. Each member brings their own diverse and unique musical background and expertise to the group.
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ESTAMPA Postcards - Melodies from Afar
A Musical Voyage across Cultures and Continents
Monday 2 November 7:00pm Market Square,Grafton 7
PERCUSSION Ensemble
We are excited to re-introduce a percussion Ensemble to our ensembles program, giving students the opportunity to explore the colour, energy and huge variety of the percussion world. The ensemble will bring together students interested in instruments ranging from marimba, xylophone and vibraphone to drums, timpani and smaller percussion instruments. Repertoire will be selected to suit the group and will include music written specifically for percussion ensemble, as well as arrangements of familiar works and contemporary pieces. The new ensemble will also provide students with opportunities to play instruments they may not regularly encounter in individual lessons and to develop broader musicalism in a fun, collaborative setting. The ensemble is an important next step in giving young drummers and percussionists more opportunities to rehearse and perform together. The group will work towards performances as part of CVCon concerts and events throughout the year, adding another exciting sound to the Conservatorium's growing ensemble program.
Students interested in joining the percussion Ensemble are encouraged to speak with their teacher or contact the CVCon office for further information.
Welcome
Tristan O'Loughlin CVCon’s New Guitar Teacher Clarence Valley Conservatorium is delighted to welcome Tristan O'Loughlin to the teaching team as our new guitar teacher. Tristan grew up in Graffton and completed his HSC at Grafton High School before moving to Brisbane, where he became active in the city's live music scene. More recently, he completed a Diploma of Music at SAE University College, studying areas including composition and arrangement, songwriting, live performance, studio production and collaborative musicianship. An experienced performer as well as teacher, Tristan was the lead guitarist and principal songwriter for Cult Choir from 2018 to 2023. During that time, the band released music across major streaming platforms and performed interstate at venues in Sydney and Newcastle, as well as appearing at local events including Jacarok and Jacaiite festivals. Having previously performed his own HSC Music program at Clarence Valley Conservatorium, Tristan's return to CVCon as a member of the teaching staff brings his musical journey full circle.
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2027 Scholarships Applications for the 2027 Scholarships Program are now open. Scholarships provide valuable support for dedicated students, recognising musical potential and rewarding commitment to study and performance. Scholarships provide students with the opportunity to pursue their musical education with greater focus, while alleviating some of the financial pressures associated with tuition and ensemble participation. Each year, recipients are selected through a competitive process that reflects both their achievements and promise in musical development. We invite all eligible students to apply. Detailed information regarding the application process, eligibility criteria, and assessment requirements is available from the Conservatorium office and via our website.
APPLY NOW
Applications close Monday, 16, November 2027.
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Here’s some of what happened in Term 3, 2026
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Choirs, Ensembles and Groups at CVCON MONDAY Good Vibes Choir Theory-Junior Con Kids Chorus Concert Band Con Youth Chorus Jazz Ensemble Con Chorus
1.00-2.30 4.00-4.45 4.00-4.45 4.45-5.30 5.00-6.00 5.40-6.40 6.30-7.30
Brenda Little Peter Morgan Fran McHugh Peter Morgan Carien Hoffman Peter Morgan Fran McHugh
TUESDAY Forget Me Nots Rock Band Beginner Strings Guitarchestra Percussion Ensemble
10.00-11.30 4.00-4.45 4.45-5.30 5.30-6.30 4.45-5.30
Jenny W & Leigh R Wesley Chegwidden Inanna Sage Luke Gough
WEDNESDAY Squeeze Box Circle Piano Ensemble Strings ‘n’ Things
1.00-2.00 4.00-4.45 5.30-7.00
Greta Enns Jayne Logan Sarah Nicholls
THURSDAY
Kidzjam
10.30-11.00
Wesley Chegwidden
FRIDAY Strum and Drum Theory-Senior Flute Ensemble Sax Ensemble
12.30-1.30 4.00-4.45 4.00-4.45 4.45-5.30
Luke Gough Peter Morgan Sharon Davidge Peter Morgan
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Who’s who at Clarence Valley Conservatorium MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairperson Vice Chairperson Treasurer / Public Officer Members Parent Representative
Jenny Worrell Mark Thompson Mark Thompson Paul Kennedy, Yvonne Ledingham, Fran McHugh, Deborah Wray, Calvin Terry Mark Woods
ADMINISTRATION
Director Administration Manager Finance Manager Operations Co-Ordinator Administration Trainee
Adam Wills Vicki Forbes Carolyn Maunder Luke Gough Cloie Loadsman
TUTORS Brass Clarinet, Saxophone Flute, Fife, Piccolo, Panpipes Guitar: Classical, Folk Electric Guitar, Ukelele, Music Production Guitar, Bass Guitar Guitar, Ukelele Percussion Percussion, Rock Band Piano, Piano Accordian Piano, Flute, Accompanying School Groups Strings ‘n’ Things (ensemble) Violin, Piano Voice Choirs
Melissa Davies Peter Morgan Sharon Davidge Ryan Enns Luke Gough Tristan O’Loughlin Damien Sullivan Adam Wills Wesley Chegwidden Greta Enns Jayne Logan Elizabeth Moore Sarah Nicolls Innana Sage Kate Joseph Brenda Little
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