Elder Conservatorium of Music
1883 was also the year in which Berlin-trained pianist Immanuel Gotthold Reimann founded his privately owned and run Adelaide College of Music, of which Cecil Sharp (later to become famous as collector of folk songs) became co-director in 1889.
In 1898 the two schools were merged, operating in the college's Wakefield Street premises until 1900, when the North Terrace building was completed.
Throughout the Conservatorium's history, many performing musicians, conductors and composers have been members of staff, including: Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (Composition Fellow); Ruby Davy (Counterpoint) ; Professor David Cubbin (Flute); Clive Carey (Voice); Jiří Tancibudek (Oboe); Gabor Reeves (Clarinet); Beryl Kimber (Violin); Clemens Leske (Piano); James Whitehead (Cello); Lance Dossor (Piano); Richard Meale AO MBE (Composition); Tristram Cary (Electronic Music); Janis Laurs (Cello); Keith Crellin OAM (Violist); and Graeme Koehne AO (Composition; Director).
In 2011, 2013, 2015, and every year from 2017 thereafter, the Elder Conservatorium has hosted the Australian Youth Orchestra's annual summer school, National Music Camp (founded by Bishop).
The Conservatorium is co-host to two research aggregations: the Sia Furler Institute for Contemporary Music and Media, and the J. M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice.
Its interior features a hammer-beam roof modelled on the Middle Temple in London, and a three-manual organ built by Casavant Frères of Canada.
Its facilities include recording studios, computer suites, and a collection of analogue synthesizers dating back to the 1960s.
Many composers have been associated with it, including Henk Badings, Peter Tahourdin, Tristram Cary (the designer of the legendary VCS3 synthesizer), Martin Wesley-Smith and Stephen Whittington.
Under the direction of Anita Wardell, the group consists of between 15 and 18 students and has a mixture of soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices.
Under the long time direction of Hal Hall and now Dusty Cox, the Big Band has showcased a broad range of material from the traditions of Basie and Ellington to contemporary music.
The ensemble has worked with many 'jazz giants', including James Morrison, Lee Konitz, Errol Buddle, Don Burrows and many others.
The Big Band has also toured extensively throughout South Australia and in 1994 it produced a CD, Live at the Walker's Arms and completed a studio recording in 2008.
The Elder Conservatorium is affiliated with music institutions including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Australian String Quartet and the State Opera of South Australia.
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is South Australia's largest performing arts organisation, established in 1936.
The orchestra, which is based a short walk from the Conservatorium, provides opportunities for occasional training experience for selected classical performance and composition students.
A recent initiative provides for the joining of forces between the ASO and the Elder Conservatorium to offer a conducting program.
Students can study for a Master of Music degree, a Graduate Diploma, or do an Honours year majoring conducting.
Collaborative activities include performances in the Elder Hall lunch hour and evening series concerts, composer forums, chamber music workshops, participation in 1:1 teaching and mentoring opportunities.
In addition, the Conservatorium has recently established an ongoing partnership with SOSA that offers student internships and produces a full operatic production each year.
