Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

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Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University at South Bank Parklands

Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University was originally an independent tertiary-level institution, called the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. The Conservatorium opened its doors on 18 February, 1957 and was initially based at the former South Brisbane Town Hall. It subsequently moved into the grounds of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and moved into its present location in 1996.^[1]

The Queensland Conservatorium remained an independent tertiary institution until its amalgamation with Griffith University during the late 1980s, when the Dawkins Reforms were introduced. In 1996, as part of the amalgamation, the Conservatorium moved to its present location at the South Bank Parklands, and was then renamed as Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. The institution is affectionately known as "The Con" to students.^[2] In 1999, the Conservatorium launched its Bachelor of Popular Music program and from 2000 this course has been taught from an information technology facility in the Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University.^[3] In 2003, The Conservatorium Research Centre was opened as part of the 30 innovative research centres in the University. The Research Centre aims to investigate the dynamics of contemporary musical environments and is headed by Professor Huib Schippers as its director.^[4]

Facilities include the Conservatorium Theatre—also used for smaller productions by Opera Queensland— which seats a maximum of 727 and has one of the highest fly towers in Australia, the Ian Hangar Recital Hall which seats 200 and the Basil Jones Orchestra Hall.^[5] There are also music production, post production, multimedia lab and recording facilities both in the South Bank and Gold Coast Campuses.^[6]

The Queensland Conservatorium also includes the Young Conservatorium, an external, classical based music program for pre-schoolers to year 12 students run by Ralph Hultgren, head of pre-tertiary studies. In the past 12 months the "Young Con" has engaged more than 1500 students in performances.^[7]

In 2007 the Conservatorium celebrated its 50 year anniversary with Alumni reunions and visiting artists from around the world.^[8]

The current Director is Professor Peter Roennfeldt who graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Cincinnati and the Associate Director is Professor Huib Schippers who graduated with a PhD from the University of Amsterdam.^[9]

[edit] Queensland Conservatorium graduates

Notable students who attended the Queensland Conservatorium of Music during the time the Conservatorium was located at the Basil Jones Theatre building at the QUT, include, among others, the following internationally renowned singers: Jeffrey Black, Lisa Gasteen, Jason Barry-Smith, David Lemke, Jonathon Welch, Helen Donaldson, Rosemarie Arthars, the Gormley sisters (Miriam, Clare). More recent graduates of the Queensland Conservatorium include Daniel Amalm, Brett Dean, Piers Lane, Warwick Adeney, Justin Truloff, Kate Miller-Heidke and Katie Noonan.^[10]