Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music

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The Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music is a school of music located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. During its early days it was closely associated with opera diva Dame Nellie Melba, after whom it was later named. Today it is affiliated with Victoria University.

1 Early history
2 Change of name
3 Association with Victoria University
4 Patron
5 Notable alumni
6 External websites

[edit] Early history

The Melba was established as a private Conservatorium in 1901 after breaking away from the control of the University of Melbourne, where it had been founded in 1895. George William Louis Marshall-Hall, its first proprietor, named his institution The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne, and operated it initially within the Victorian Artists’ Society Building in Albert Street, East Melbourne. The Conservatorium continued to function as a private Conservatorium with a Sole Proprietor through its second Director, Fritz Hart and on to its third Director, Harold Elvins.

When Elvins purchased the Conservatorium business he set about forming the Conservatorium into a nonprofit company. This was achieved in 1944 and the Melba has continued to run since that time as an incorporated company with a governing Council. Several further Directors and a change of premises for ten years to 16 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, saw the Conservatorium, by 1983, purchase accommodation at 45 York Street, Richmond, where it has remained to the present day.

[edit] Change of name

Australia’s famous diva, Dame Nellie Melba, associated herself closely with the Conservatorium, teaching here from 1915 until her death in 1931. Madame Melba prolonged her link with the Conservatorium after her death, through the provision of a generous bequest and it is her association with the Conservatorium which was responsible for the change of name of the institution, in 1956, to the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music.

[edit] Association with Victoria University

Today Melba has achieved recognition of its Diploma of Music through its affiliation in 1994 with Victoria University. Under this agreement, Melba delivers the University’s Bachelor of Music courses. Melba also offers private studio tuition through its Single Studies program, and short courses.

In 2002, Melba commenced delivery of two new degree programs at the University’s Sunbury campus, in a cross-sectoral Music Department, sharing facilities with Victoria University TAFE’s School of Further Education, Arts and Employment Services. These BMus programs at Sunbury provide undergraduate courses in music technology and contemporary music performance.

Melba continues to produce classical and contemporary music performers and other music professionals well equipped to pursue a variety of careers at local community, national and international level. Students spend more than half of their course time in performance and/or studio related activities under the guidance of a small specialist staff, dedicated to providing students with a supportive and professional environment in which to learn and develop as musicians.