This year’s Central Coast Conservatorium Gold Award for School Concert Band went to the Narara Public School Band which is conducted by creative arts teacher Ms Julia Brennan.
The Conservatorium held its annual Band Festival at Gosford High School on Saturday, November 21.
Bands from eight Central Coast schools performed, including Valley View Public School, Erina Heights Public School, Lisarow Public School, Narara Public School, St Philips Christian College, and Terrigal Public School.
The Conservatorium runs an extensive band program in schools with experienced teachers from their teaching staff attending schools throughout the week for combined band practice as well as instrumental tutorials.
Mr Phillip Rutherford, who manages the Schools Program for the Conservatorium said: “The students really enjoy the day and look forward to a combined performance for their friends and family.
“It can be quite competitive, but it’s all in good fun,” Mr Rutherford said.
The results delivered by adjudicator, Mr John Kellaway, himself a musician who serves on the management board of the Conservatorium, reflected a year of hard work and dedication on the part of the teachers and the students.
Mr Kellaway has been a lecturer in music (specialising in trumpet) at the University of Newcastle for over 25 years, so is well qualifi ed to adjudicate the band festival competition.
The Silver Award for Concert Band went to St John the Baptist, with Bronze to St Philips Christian School. In the Training Band category, Gold went to Erina Heights Public School, Silver to St John the Baptist and Bronze to Valley View.
Email, Nov 26, 2015
Lisa Kelly, Central Coast
Conservatorium