Music 4 Life Summer Camp at Central Coast Conservatorium

These January school holidays, scores of young musicians from across the region will converge on the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music for the four-day Music4Life Summer Camp, January 22-25.

This inaugural holiday program, which is being supported by NSW Government, is free and will provide youngsters from across the Coast to experience the social and educational benefits of performing together in small groups and a large ensemble.

The camp will include a Beginner Day at Central Coast Conservatorium’s Gosford campus at 45 Mann Street on Monday 22 January, giving beginner musicians – from babies to preschoolers – a chance to try one of our Children’s Music Program classes and Keyboard Club (for children aged 5 to high-school age).

Do you sing or play an instrument? The three-day Music4Life Orchestra Camp, Tuesday 23 January to Thursday 25 January, will give school-age musicians a chance to experience playing in one of our Primary Ensembles – Primary Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Orchestra or Youth Orchestra – for three days of workshops, sectionals, tutorials and rehearsals. There will also be mini and junior strings workshops and choir workshops run over the three days.

The camp will culminate with a special combined performance at Gosford Anglican Church on Thursday 25 January.

Participants will be joined by NSW Police Band and guest musicians, as well as CCCM Artistic Director Patrick Brennan, conductors and Conservatorium teachers.

What happens on the Beginners Day?

January 22 – Beginners Day: We will be running several CMP classes and Keyboard Club sessions throughout the day for different age groups. 

CMP classes will be taken by our experienced early childhood music teachers Jo McMahon and Melissa Lark and will be split into the following age groups:

• Baby Beats (0-1)
• Baby Beats (0-2)
• Mini Music Makers (3-4)
• Mini Maestros (4-5)
• Level 1  ( 5-6 years)
• CMP Express – (7 – 10 years.)

Keyboard Club sessions will be taken by CCCM keyboard teachers Kimberly Gilbert and Aaron Carey and will be split into the following age groups:

• Ages 5-7
• Ages 8-10
• Ages 10-12
• Age 13 and over

What happens at the Orchestral Camp?

Students will be divided into the appropriate ensemble, depending on their age, instrument and level of playing experience – either the primary wind ensemble, symphonic wind orchestra, orchestra or choir.

Led by expert CCCM vocal, wind, brass, strings and percussion teachers the students will take part in workshops, tutorials and rehearsals. They will then come together for a free combined concert at Gosford Anglican Church on Thursday 25 January evening, which will be open for family and friends to come and watch.

Where will the Camps be held?

The Beginners Day CMP classes and Keyboard Club will be held at the Conservatorium’s campus on 45 Mann Street Gosford.

The Orchestral Camp will be held at two off-campus locations:

• Primary wind ensemble, symphonic wind orchestra and choirs – Gosford Presbyterian Church, West Gosford. 
• Orchestra participants – Gosford Anglican Church, Gosford

Will there be anything else on?

Yes! There will also be a special concert from the NSW Police Band for students, plus a string quartet concert and a screening of the documentary Robin de Voix (about world-renowned vocal coach Robin de Haas) followed by a live Q&A with Robin, plus a special pizza day for students. 

Do participants need any experience?

Primary Wind Ensemble participants need to have been playing their instrument for a minimum of 12 months.

Symphonic Wind Orchestra participants need to have been playing their instrument for a minimum of 2 years.

Mini Strings participants need to have been learning between 6 months to 2 years.

Junior Strings participants need to have been learning between 2 – 4 years.

Youth Orchestra participants pre-requisites:

• Woodwind:  Min. AMEB 6 or equivalent
• Brass: Min.  AMEB 6 or equivalent
• Percussion: Orchestral or Symphonic Wind Ensemble experience
• Upper String:   Min. AMEB 6 or equivalent
• Lower String:   Min. AMEB 5 or equivalent

There is no prior experience needed for CMP or Keyboard Club classes or choir.

How much does it cost?

The camp is free, thank to generous funding from NSW Government and Create NSW. For Orchestral Camp participants, we will require a $50 deposit to be paid on registration which will be refunded on attendance or taken off your 2024 enrolment fees. 

How do I register? 

Applications opening soon. To register your interest, please FILL IN THIS FORM.