Play an instrument? Love to sing? No matter your age, there’s a group or ensemble waiting for you at the Orange Regional Conservatorium.

“We want to invite our community to come and make music with us,” said Orange Regional Conservatorium (ORC) Director, Donna Riles.

It has been a tough few years for music lovers, with Covid restrictions severely limiting the ability of musicians to get together and play, let alone perform for a crowd. But with a new year ahead, Donna is keen to see the ORC’s many group offerings thrive once more.

“Given the last few years we've had, where we've been on and off with music making, this year

it will be great to celebrate the return of live music,” she said.

“So whether you are a saxophonist and you want to play in a jazz band, or you are a drummer and you want to play in the concert band, whether you are a bass guitarist or a singer — there is something for you here!”

And it truly doesn’t matter what age you are.

“You can come in for our Early Childhood Music program as a babe in arms. Mum, Dad, Gran, or carer can bring a child along to an Early Childhood Music class through the week. It's a 40-minute class about engaging with music for the fi rst time, whether it is singing or moving, listening and creating music from a very early age.”

For children aged 4-6, there is the MiniMUSOS, which is about learning to sing and getting introduced to a new instrument each term.

Then, whether you play strings, woodwind, brass or percussion, there is an ensemble or band

to suit all ages and abilities, said Donna.

“We have a long history of having a really good variety of great ensembles: from singing to playing, junior youth orchestras to jazz bands, and children's choirs to adult choirs,” she said.

“And we have a wonderful team

of very expert conductors and tutors who are happy leading these ensembles from week to week throughout the term. They are great fun to work with and it is a great way to meet new, like-minded people and engage in the joy of making music!”

Choirs are probably the most accessible way to become involved in community music making and the ORC has groups that cater for beginners and more advanced singers. There is even a choir for children as young as 4-years-old!

“We have choirs for infants to primary-aged children, then we have a group called Crescendo, where children start to sing in parts and enjoy singing in our concerts together. We have a ladies choir called Caesura, the Chamber Choir, who rehearse and perform four part choral repertoire — some fantastic popular and traditional songs.

“Then we have the Symphonic Choir for people who want to sing the big works by Bach, Beethoven and the rest and they will be performing Handel's Messiah in April here in Orange,” said Donna.

And if you just love to sing, but don’t want to take it too seriously, then the Come Together Choir is for you.

“That is the best choir if you don't have any experience. It's a great way to meet new people and you leave feeling the health and wellbeing benefi ts of joining in and singing with others,” said Donna.

“We have a large group of people who just love that social interaction every Tuesday at 10am and they are always saying they come out feeling elevated from their experience.

“We just want the community to know that we are not a closed group; anyone can come and play or join one of our choirs and sing for health and wellbeing.”

For more information about the ensembles, bands and choirs at the Orange Regional Conservatorium, visit orangecon.com.au