Rap music, jazz and classical will ring out through Wollongong Botanic Garden for two days of free tunes, to celebrate 50 years of the local conservatorium of music.
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The WollCon festival is the official birthday bash for the institution at Gleniffer Brae and will showcase local artists, music staff and guest performers like drummer and rapper DOBBY across September 10 and 11.
"We are unashamedly using the 50th Birthday as a springboard to showcase everything WollCon contributes to the musical life of the region and how our work delivers positive change through music," said David Francis, CEO of The Con.
From 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, people will be able to picnic to the sounds of a children's choir, the region's chamber orchestra Steel City Strings, a harpist and DOBBY - the conservatorium alumni of Filipino-Aboriginal heritage.
The Hot Potato Band will headline Sunday along with a swing band and all-staff performance of a piece composed by WollCon's own Head of Composition John Spence.
Meantime, birthday celebrations will continue for The Con in December at Wollongong Town Hall with celebrated Australian composer, Matthew Hindson writing a work for BlueScope Youth Orchestra to celebrate the long relationship between WollCon and the steel industry in Wollongong.
REGISTER TO ATTEND: https://wollcon.com.au/event/50th-birthday-music-festival-at-wollcon/
WollCon FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
DAY 1: Saturday 10th September
- 10am - 12:30pm SONG & DANCE with the Children's Choir, ChiME, Con Artists, WollCon Youth Jazz Band, and our special guests the Steel City Strings.
- 12:30-1:15pm - Harps in the Garden including a Piano Salon in the Manor House.
- 1:15pm - 4:30pm Festival Concert Band, Contemporary Guitar Ensemble & guests, Latin Jazz Orchestra, and special guest performer DOBBY (drummer and rapper) + Jazz Band.
DAY 2: Sunday 11th September
- 10am - 12:30pm COMMUNITY MUSIC & SONG: Curious Rendition Orchestra, Festival Community Orchestra, The Big Sing (Combined Vocal ensembles and audience participation singing 'Slice of Heaven'), Combined Youth String Orchestras, Powell Orchestra.
- 12:30-1:15pm - Harps in the Garden including a Piano Salon in the Manor House.
- 1:15pm - 4:30pm BlueScope Youth Orchestra, Official Birthday Celebration with an All-Staff Performance, The Con Artists, and special guests The Hot Potato Band.
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