Ensembles
Playing music in a group is rewarding, social and above all, fun! The ORC offers a large and diverse ensembles program across all skill levels and instruments, from beginner to advanced. Our ensembles are directed by expert conductors who create a supportive and educational environment within each group, but also set goals and challenges to keep you on your toes and progressing.
Not sure which ensemble is right for you? Come along to a rehearsal to find out or get in contact with us and we can help you decide.
Orchestras
Orange Youth Orchestra
Saturday 1:30pm – 3:00pm | $130 per term.
The Orange Youth Orchestra is the regions premier orchestral experience for advancing young musicians.
Encore Adult Orchestra
Wednesday 7:30pm – 9:00pm | $130 per term
Encore is an inclusive and diverse group of musicians who share a love of orchestral and chamber music. The group focuses on expanding ensemble skills, musicianship and learning new repertoire under the leadership of conductor Phil Moran. Encore rehearse each week, perform regularly throughout the year and is open to all members of the public. Adult musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds are invited to join this inspiring, fun and social group and are encouraged to come to a rehearsal to learn more.
Colour City Chamber Orchestra
The ORC are proud to host and administer the Orange City Chamber Orchestra, which is set to be revitalised in 2024. Details to be confirmed soon!
Orange Symphony Orchestra
OSO is a long standing community orchestra, supported in part by the ORC. For more information, please visit their website: www.orangesymphonyorchestra.com
Bands
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Thursday 5:30pm – 7:00pm | $130 per term.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is a group of woodwind and brass musicians who join together each week to rehearse and perform diverse and challenging concert band music, under the leadership of conductor Elizabeth Sargent.
SWE is open to all members of the public who play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments at an intermediate to advanced level and is currently seeking new members!
STORMBLOWERS
Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm | $120 per term.
Stormblowers is the next step for young musicians who might play in the school band, or have been learning a brass or wind instrument for a couple of years now and are looking for their next challenge.
Under the mentorship of the ORC’s Phil Rees OAM and Cassandra Bennett, the Stormblowers will extend their instrumental skills, expand musicianship knowledge, learn ensemble skills and make new friends. This intermediate level band is perfect for kids of AMEB Grade 3 equivalent or above, and will prepare them for entry into higher level school bands and the ORC’s own flagship ‘Symphonic Wind Ensemble’.
Big Phatt Jazz Band
Friday 5:00pm – 6:30pm | $130 per term.
The Big Phatt Jazz Band are a group of musicians with an interest in learning and performing Big Band music, perfect for advancing young players or adults looking for a fun and social musical outlet. This group open to all members of the public and are currently seeking new members!
Strings
Junior String Ensemble
Tuesday 4:15pm – 5:00pm | $105 per term
A young string students first step into orchestral playing. Each week they explore the fundamentals of group playing while expanding their knowledge of note reading and musical concepts in a fun environment. For beginners who can read music to approx. AMEB Grade 2.
Intermediate String Ensemble
Tuesday 4:15pm – 5:00pm | $105 per term
Details coming soon!
ConChords
Tuesday 5:00pm – 6:00pm | $120 per term
An intermediate string orchestra that extends rhythm, intonation and sight reading skills, explores advanced musical concepts and orchestral etiquette. With a focus on learning challenging and exciting repertoire, this is the perfect ensemble for the advancing string student. Targeted at AMEB Grade 3 and above players as a pathway towards joining OYO.
Lightly Strung
Wednesday 6:15pm – 7:15pm | $120 per term
All adult string players, beginner and above, are welcome to join Lisa, Stephanie and Stefan’s Encore String class. Enjoy playing with like-minded music enthusiasts. Focus on string orchestra repertoire, improving your string playing skills and increasing confidence in performance. All welcome
Woodwind
STORMBLOWERS
Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm | $120 per term.
Stormblowers is the next step for young musicians who might play in the school band, or have been learning a brass or wind instrument for a couple of years now and are looking for their next challenge.
Under the mentorship of the ORC’s Phil Rees OAM and Cassandra Bennett, the Stormblowers will extend their instrumental skills, expand musicianship knowledge, learn ensemble skills and make new friends. This intermediate level band is perfect for kids of AMEB Grade 3 equivalent or above, and will prepare them for entry into higher level school bands and the ORC’s own flagship ‘Symphonic Wind Ensemble’.
Wind Quintet
Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm | $120 per term.
New in 2024. Details coming soon!
saxophone Quartet
Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm | $120 per term.
New in 2024. Details coming soon!
Brass
Brass Ensemble
Monday 5:00pm – 5:45pm | $105 per term
3rd Grade standard and above.
Come and have some fun playing a wide range of music in this smaller sized brass group. Learn about playing together with other brass instruments, refining your ensemble skills in a supportive environment. There will be opportunities to perform throughout the year. Whilst players of all brass instruments are welcome, please note that low brass parts will usually only be available in bass clef concert pitch. Please enquire if you are unsure.
Brass Collective
Advanced players, approximately 6th Grade and above with strong reading and ensemble skills.
This friendly group works on a variety of more difficult Brass Ensemble repertoire, working on the finer points of the music and of playing together. We cover a wide range of music, from Gabrielli through to Gershwin and beyond. You will work alongside the ORC brass teaching staff as well as other leading players from our Region. This group is open to orchestral brass instruments only (trumpet, french horn, trombone, bass trombone, euphonium and tuba).
Ensemble Altenburg
Saturday 12:00pm - 1:00pm | $60 per term - Fortnightly
Ensemble Altenburg is the Orange Regional Conservatorium’s new trumpet ensemble that is named after Johann Ernst Altenburg the 18th century organist, composer, and trumpeter who wrote the first treatise on the heroic art of the trumpet.
This ensemble is for advancing trumpet players of AMEB Grade 5 (or equivalent) and will explore the repertoire for trumpet ensemble from the Renaissance to music of today. The expectation is that it will be a conductor less group that is directed from within the ensemble and aims to develop good performance and chamber music skills.
Percussion
Adult Percussion Ensemble
Wednesday 6:15pm – 7:00pm | $160 per term
A fantastic group for like minded percussion enthusiasts to get together and play interesting music and learn new techniques. The adult percussion group often compose or arrange their own music and perform regularly.
Guitar & Ukulele
Junior Guitar Ensemble
Wednesday 4:00pm - 4:45pm | $105 per term
A new ensemble for young students who wish to develop their musicianship, reading and performance skills on acoustic guitar, learning fun and varied styles of music in parts and enjoying the social side of music.
Our Junior Guitar Ensemble is open to all young guitarists learning at the ORC and elsewhere, everyone is welcome! Developing students of an intermediate skill level, with a solid foundation in music reading are invited to join. Playing in this junior ensemble provides a clear pathway into our more advanced guitar ensembles, as well as the ORC’s Junior Jazz Band and Big Phatt Jazz Band while also equipping students with the skills to thrive in school music groups. Directed by Phil Moran.
Classical Guitar Ensemble
Monday 5:30pm – 6:15pm | $105 per term
An ensemble for guitarists to learn interesting repertoire along with vital ensemble and musicianship skills. Previous classical guitar experience not necessary, but an AMEB grade 2 or equivalent reading level is preferred.
Simply Ukes
Friday 10:30am – 12:00pm | $5 per week
Saturday 11:00am – 12:30pm | $5 per week
Fun, relaxing and social group classes for adults interested in learning and playing the ukulele. Previous experience not necessary, new members always welcome.
Chamber Academy
The Orange Regional Conservatorium’s Chamber Music Academy is a unique program for young musicians to develop advanced chamber music skills and experiences through the generous support of the Godfrey Turner Memorial Music Trust.
Chamber Academy
Tuesday 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Chamber Academy is the flagship ensemble of our Chamber Music program. Advanced young musicians playing a diverse selection of instruments rehearse weekly to develop the specialist skills required for chamber music performance. Given the variety of instruments in the ensemble, which often includes bassoon, violin, saxophone, cello and more, the music is specially arranged by Chamber Academy leader David Shaw, with assistance from Alina Zborowski. The group perform regularly and ORC events and external functions.
Chamber Academy rehearse each Tuesday evening and auditions for new members are held regularly, for more information please contact us here
Community Outreach
The Orange Regional Conservatorium is dedicated to serving as a community music resource for Orange and surrounds. We deliver a range of programs and services for Aged Care Facilities, Disability Services, Mental Health Services and more. These can involve individual lessons, choirs, early childhood music programs, music appreciation and more.
Such programs include:
Music For Little Ears – Orange City Library