WollCon welcome aims to be widespread

There aren't too many places around that nurture the interests of babies and nonagenarians. Wollongong Conservatorium of Music does.

Whether you're one or you're 90, there's a place for you at WollCon, according to CEO Annette Brown. ''We teach music to people younger than one, and we have numerous learners in their 90s," says Annette, a firm believer in the theory that all youngsters – and young at heart – should have the opportunity to learn music.

“Our participants get a performance opportunity,” Annette says. ''More importantly, they get leadership skills, and they get those really lovely skills about how to practice, how to work together, teamwork – all those transferable skills."

WollCon offers a variety of instrumental and vocal tuition across contemporary, classical and jazz styles to students of all ages – from preschool to mature aged. WollCon’s ChiMe program introduces kids as young as six months to music, play and self-expression. WollCon promotes community music-making through various ensembles, music therapy and a successful school program.

Annette is working to further integrate music education into the larger Wollongong community and would like to see every child gain the same learning opportunities that sporting clubs provide.

“Say you're a little tot on the soccer team, and you're a bit bored because the ball's going everywhere but to you,” she says.

''You might sit on the field and pick some daisies, and you're not really missed. 

"If you're in an orchestra, every single person is needed. Every person has to work together to create that sound. In the orchestra, you've got a conductor at the front. They can see if someone's struggling, and they can get someone to come in and give them help.

"My view is that every child should have the choice to do music and sport – not one or the other. I'm saying, ‘how can we find opportunities so that everybody can do both?'”

Annette came to the job in October 2024, stepping in after a few years of logistical problems at WollCon, and continues to deliver learning opportunities to students that are focused on community awareness and collaboration.

She is aware of the importance of increasing WollCon awareness and simply getting the word into the community. “An amazing man donated a couple of thousand, so I’ve just been able to get new tiny guitars for the early childhood program … I say run on to the future, taking a couple of those good bits and fly like a kite, just keep adding streamers to that kite, all the things we can do.”

Annette grew up in Engadine in a big family – one of seven kids – and her busy parents did not expect her to go to university. As a young person, her music teacher entered her into eisteddfods, took her to Sydney Opera House to sing, and instilled a passion for music with a life-long love of learning. The same teacher asked Annette: “Have you thought about teaching?”

In years following, Annette went on to work a range of non-teaching jobs, from managing a McDonalds store to exploring the building industry.

“I had done my education in studying, teaching, in music, and in drama and in early childhood. And for whatever reason, I didn't do it. I still had this beautiful strong love of learning, but I instead went and ran a building company and did all sorts of weird wonderful things,” she says.

“Then I had a sort of midlife crisis and went ‘no, I really want to create the opportunity that I had for others'.”

Annette soon got involved with Moorambilla Voices, an outback choir that gives country kids opportunities through Bourke, Wellington, Lightning Ridge and the broader Central West. She felt lucky to work on three international tours with the Australian Youth Orchestra, work with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Chamber Symphony, Willoughby Symphony and more. She transitioned to her role at WollCon after three years as general manager of the Sydney Eisteddfod.

“Each time it was ‘how can I give these young people opportunities? How can I create opportunity? How can I collaborate to create opportunity?’ Because it makes such a difference to me,” she says.

“And so that's why I say, I don't care if you're a musician, but I sure as hell care if you haven't had that opportunity… because those skills let us do so much more.”

WollCon is one of 17 regional conservatoriums in the NSW Conservatorium Network – a collaboration Annette says is unique to our home state. As a member of the network, WollCon collaborates with the Department of Education to help give back to the wider community, delivering music at schools. 18 different public schools benefit from WollCon’s involvement as the network pools resources.

“We all get together and we work with the education department so that we can get music into schools, talk about what we're going to do next, how we can do a better job, what we can do to help each other,” Annette says.

“If I've had some amazing artists come to me at Wollongong, then they can then go on to Goulburn or onto Bathurst or wherever… I can work with one of the other regional areas to say, 'Hey, do you have…,' and then we could do Zoom lessons or we could work together in other ways."

Annette is a passionate advocate for the benefits available to children and young people who are involved with the conservatorium. She thinks of music education as a powerful tool for developing capable, confident young community members.

“It's really critical that we keep forming these orchestras and chamber groups, because it's a really good way to build teamwork and to know what a vital part you are in a community.

“It’s not about me, it’s not about you – it’s about what we can do.”

Annette invites all community members and groups to reach out and collaborate with WollCon. She says the conservatorium grounds at Glennifer Brae in the Botanic Gardens are a wonderful space to host events, conferences or even birthday parties.

Ideas, feedback and collaboration are welcome – get in touch at wollcon.com.au