Robert Jackson is an alumni of the Orange Regional Conservatorium. He started playing cello at the age of 6 at the Orange Regional Conservatorium with teachers' Claudia Douglas, Collen McMeekin and Tom Woods. Years later, Robert is now a Cello teacher at the New England Conservatorium in Armidale and will return to Orange by bicycle with fellow concert artist Keith Power to perform Beethoven's complete works for Cello & Piano at the Orange Regional Conservatorium. Robert & Keith plan to ride the distance over five days to arrive in Orange and perform the 'Beethoven cycle' (Beethoven's works for cello & piano) over two concerts on October 1st and 2nd.
All donations and concert ticket proceeds will go to support the newly created Marian Barford Award, named after the (NECOM) New England Conservatorium's first string teacher who sadly passed away after ten years of teaching in 2015. The Award honours Marian’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to NECOM’s string program, the Armidale Youth Orchestras, the Armidale Symphony Orchestra and her many string students who she loved to teach. The Marian Barford Award is awarded to very deserving students in Years 11 & 12 enrolled in instrumental or vocal lessons at the New England Conservatorium of Music. The Award offers financial assistance of up to $1000 for students to support their continued involvement in musical activities, which serve to facilitate the development of their musical potential. The award can help students buy an instrument, assist with Australian Youth Orchestra fees, or travel costs to attend tertiary auditions.
Marian was a mentor for Robert in his first year as a teacher at the New England Conservatorium of Music. She always found time to teach her students, even when fighting her illness. She loved what she did and wanted to support students as much as possible. The upcoming ride and performances are inspired by her memory.
Donations for Robert and Keith's ride can be made at the following go-fund-me page:
https://gofund.me/2ea3bc50
Program
Saturday October 1st at 7pm:
Sonata No.1 Op. 5
12 Variations 'Ein Madchen oder Weibchen' Op. 66
Sonata No.2, Op. 5
12 Variations on ' See the conqu'ring hero comes' WoO 45
Sunday October 2nd at 3pm:
Sonata No.3 Op.69
7 Variations 'Bei Mannern' WoO 46
Sonata No.4 Op. 102 No. 1
Sonata No.5 Op. 102 No. 2