Program Overview

Program Overview

The Conservatorium Open Academy offers various programs for students of different ages and skill levels. These programs include Kids at the Con, Rising Stars, Play at the Con, and Short Courses.

Kids at the Con

• Available Classes
• Holiday Workshops
• FAQs

Rising Stars

• Rising Stars Jazz
• How to apply
• Teachers
• Testimonials
• Semester dates & Concerts
• Fees, scholarships & bursaries
• Electives

Play at the Con

• Teachers
• Expressions of Interest

Short Courses

• Music Foundations
• Composition
• Singing
• Instrumental
• Ensemble
• Music Technology
• Jazz
• Online
• Face to Face
• High School & Pre-tertiary

Workshops and Festivals

• Songwriting Holiday Workshop
• Opera and Music Theatre Lab Intensive Audition
• 3 Singers 3 Workshops
• Music Theatre Audition Workshop
• Jazz Audition Workshop
• School Workshops
• Young Womens Jazz Workshops
• Beginner Shakuhachi Workshop
• Voice Works

Jazz Ensembles - Audition

Course Description

These classes are designed for students who wish to develop confident improvisation, aural and sight-reading skills. They provide an ensemble-based environment for the development of personal jazz skills, along with an understanding of the dynamics at work in a small performance group.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 session, 3 hours total
• Date: Wed 28 Jan
• Time: 5pm - 8pm (UTC+11:00)
• Location: Room 1085, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
• Fee: $20.00 (inc GST)

About the Course

Combining improvisation with work on arrangements, students gain skills on their instruments as well as increasing confidence for performing with other instrumentalists. As those various skills develop, students will be able to recognise and produce aspects that make up good ensemble playing.

Course Entry

Is by audition and requires a reasonable working knowledge of improvisation, rhythm, melody and harmony. Sight reading skills are an advantage but not compulsory.

Audition Requirements

• Auditions will be no longer than 15 minutes.
• Candidates should prepare 2 jazz standards and a 12 Blues
• These will be performed in the audition with drum accompaniment (except for drummers)
• No backing tracks

Candidate Expectations

• Count off the tempo for each of the prepared pieces
• Perform 1 chorus melody
• Perform 1 or 2 choruses of improvisation over the form and changes of each standard
• Perform 3-4 choruses of improvisation on the 12 bar Blues
• A final melody chorus is not required

Drummer Expectations

• Play medium tempo swing with sticks
• Play fast swing with sticks
• Play Bossa nova
• Play Mambo feel
• Play medium swing with brushes
• Play Ballad with brushes

Note

• Each feel will be for around 8-16 bars depending on tempo
• Alternating 12 bars of time and solo over a 12 bar Blues for 4 choruses' total

Student Testimonials

• Brendan is a wonderful teacher. He is patient and supportive but at the same time knows how to push the band so that they keep improving.
• Andrew successfully inspires and encourages us to improve and enjoy the classes.
• Because Michael plays a harmonizing instrument, he is able to encourage use of advanced concepts and scales.
• Brendan is a wonderful tutor. With his clear guidance, I started to understand my role in the ensemble, and most importantly, I’ve learnt the joy of making music with other people.
• Andrew is the King. All hail The King!
• Really helped me with my small ensemble playing.
• I've learnt a lot and become more confident in my playing.
• The jazz ensemble is an amazing course with loads of opportunities to learn and grow as a jazz player. The tutor was amazing, and it was a personally life changing experience to learn from such great talent who was so humble and always made sure you are not lost as part of the ensemble, which can be the case for someone like me who was new to the whole ensemble experience. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in getting to learn more jazz and wants to play in an ensemble setting.