Orchestras

Director: Dr Luke Dollman
The Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) is central to the work of the Elder Conservatorium and the training of its young musicians. The orchestra consists mainly of full-time students from the Conservatorium's music programs and also includes some students from other faculties within the University. Distinguished guest conductors such as Arvo Volmer (Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra) are also invited to work with ECSO.

As professional standards rise and entry into a career in music becomes more competitive, it is essential that students experience an ever-higher level of music training and discipline. The orchestra aims to provide students with the ensemble expertise necessary for a successful performing career. It is expected that a significant number of today's players will follow in the footsteps of illustrious past members who have gone on to successful solo, chamber music and orchestral careers in Australia and abroad.

Director: Bryan Griffiths
The Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra is widely acknowledged as the pre-eminent ensemble of its kind in Australia. It has been winner of the Open A Grade Concert Band division of the National Band Championships thirteen times and has received numerous invitations to perform in concerts and festivals locally, interstate and abroad.

The 2003 and 2010 residencies by Timothy Reynish, world authority on and conductor of wind orchestra repertoire, have continued to provide unique opportunities for the many performers involved. The Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra is an integral part of the professional training in performance and teacher education at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

Director: Elizabeth Layton
Founded in 1973 by the late Jiri Tancibudek, the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra draws on advanced students from the conservatorium. In its first either years, the orchestra studied and performed over sixty works including full-scale operas such as Mozart's Idomeneo and Cosi fan Tutte, and concert works by Haydn, Schubert, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Bartok and many others. In 1998 the orchestra was reformed by William Hennessy, the founding leader of the Australian String Quartet and since then has performed regularly in lunchhour and evening concerts.

The chamber orchestra provides students with the opportunity to hone their ensemble skills in an orchestral setting and to work on the vast repertoire available to such an ensemble. In addition, by working with the chamber orchestra, students have the opportunity to study many of the stylistic techniques which they will encounter in their professional lives.

All classical performance students who play an orchestral instrument are required to audition (piano and guitar are not considered orchestral instruments for the purpose of these auditions). Auditions for the large ensembles are held in O'Week, sign-up sheets and excerpts to be played will be available here in the new year.

Please feel free to share this information with any other students (from any area of study) who may be interested in auditioning to play in an ensemble.

Any questions regarding these auditions should be directed to Dr Luke Dollman: luke.dollman@adelaide.edu.au