Conservatorium Academy

Music Theatre Information Booklet 2012
Registration Form

Location:

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Mackay Campus of CQUniversity
Boundary Rd., Planlands

Phone: 07 4940 7800
Email: academy@cqu.edu.au

Welcome to The Conservatorium Academy!

The Conservatorium Academy is a centre for creative and performing arts training for school-aged children and is part of the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Central Queensland University. Music Theatre is taught at our Mackay campus and Jazz & Popular music is taught in our music facilities in Rockhampton.

The purpose of the Conservatorium Academy in Mackay is to provide music theatre training as an extension to the dance, drama and music classes that young people may already be engaged in. In keeping with this philosophy, the Conservatorium Academy will provide students with opportunities to perform through regular concerts and special events.
Our aim is to provide a safe, educational and recreational environment, with high-energy, fun classes taught in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Operating out of our fully equipped studios and teaching spaces at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music at the Mackay Campus of CQUniversity, students will have access to professional facilities, and outstanding teachers and tutors. In addition, they will also interact with internationally acclaimed visiting industry professionals who work with the Bachelor of Theatre students at CQUniversity Mackay.

Previous internationally acclaimed music theatre professionals who have worked with students at CQUniversity have included Dale Pengelly (Brisbane), Thern Reynolds (Melbourne), John Wregg (Sydney), Chris Horsey (Sydney), Drew Anthony (Sydney), Peter Cousens (Sydney) and Chloe Dallimore (Sydney). The full-time staff of the Bachelor of Theatre program at CQUniversity are also internationally recognised artists who have tutored graduates who are now working professionally in music theatre in Las Vegas, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, South-East Asia, United Kingdom and Europe.

We endeavour to help each student develop a love of music theatre and all it has to offer, whilst maintaining their own personality and individuality within a high quality and rigorous program. This booklet will provide some helpful information to parents and students to refer back to throughout the year.

Professor Matthew Marshall
Dean, School of Creative and Performing Arts
CQUniversity, Australia

About the classes:

Each semester, the classes will follow a theme, appropriate to the age group. This theme may follow a well-known musical or could include self-devised material so that students are given the best opportunities to develop their music theatre skills.
Each class will comprise combinations of:

• Dance warm up and then dance steps 
• Drama exercises and scene work
• Singing exercises and songs

Communication:

Our preferred means of communicating with you is via email and the Academy noticeboard in the foyer of the Conservatorium of Music. For urgent matters, we will contact you by telephone. If you prefer to be contacted in other ways, please let us know.

Enquiries and questions about the Academy should be directed to the CQCM reception in the first instance:

Telephone: 07 4940-7800
Email: academy@cqu.edu.au

Calendar:

Classes will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

Tuesday timetable:

Wednesday timetable:

• Please note, parents of Music Theatre A, B and C students should nominate either Tuesday OR Wednesday afternoon for their lesson, not both. The same repertoire will be taught in the Tuesday and the Wednesday class.
•  
• Music Theatre D will not be happening until Semester 2. Music Theatre D is an auditioned class. Anyone from Music Theatre C class may audition for this class.
•  
• Registrations are accepted on a first-in first-served basis.

2012 Semester dates:

Registration:

All students who attend the Conservatorium Academy must complete a Registration Form and students will not be permitted to commence classes until the form has been received. This form requires contact information, general medical information that we need to be aware of, and requires parents/guardians to agree to adhere to University policies and procedures regarding the use of University facilities.

Fee Payments:

All parents will receive an invoice from CQUniversity for the payment of fees. Fees are payable by the due date stated on the invoice for the whole semester – there is NO weekly rate available. This invoice is to be paid directly to CQUniversity and not through the CQCM office. Refunds are not available for change of mind or change of circumstances.

Students who have outstanding fees for one semester will not be permitted to re-enrol until the fees have been paid.

2012 Performances

Semester 1: Open Class Performance
In week 15 of semester 1, 12th and 13th June, students will present an Open Class Performance for parents. This will be held in the normal class time for each grade level in the CQCM Theatre. 

• This performance will be free of charge. No bookings are required. 
• All family and friends of the students are allowed to attend.
• Students are to wear their Conservatorium Academy uniform for this performance.
• Students may wear a small amount of stage makeup if they wish.
• The timetable for the end of semester Open Class Performance is the same as the usual weekly timetable.

Semester 2: Public Concert
After Week 11 of semester 2 there will be the final end of year concert for the Conservatorium Academy.

•  
• Dress rehearsal for all students will be on Saturday 22nd September from 9.00am to 3.00pm in the CQCM Theatre

• There will be two public performances on Sunday 23rd September at the CQCM Theatre
  - 2.00pm
  - 3.30pm
  - Costs and booking details will be provided at the start of semester 2.

• Students will be required to:
  - Wear stage make up and arrange hair as required
  - Wear a costume appropriate to their performance
  - Provide a simple prop as required

• Parents may be asked to assist with looking after the student performers during the concert and between the concerts. A roster will be organised in semester 2.

Uniform:

All students will be required to wear the Conservatorium Academy uniform. This consists of:

• Conservatorium Academy polo-shirt (These are purchased directly from Digression Dancewear, 25 Valley St, North Mackay 4740, (07) 4942 9116). The cost is:
  - Adult size: $37.50
  - Child size: $35.00
• Girls: Black jazz pants (available from any dancewear shop)
• Boys: Black shorts or comfortable long pants
• Girls and boys: Black Elasta booties (available from any dancewear shop)
• Girls: Hair must be up off the face in a bun or high ponytail

Additional information and costs:

Make-up: Parents will be required to provide stage make-up for their child. This is usually a one-off purchase and can be used for several years. If your child already owns make-up for drama or dance, then this will be suitable for the Conservatorium Academy performances. Most students will be able to wear heavy day make-up. Students in Group C and D may need to wear false eyelashes. False eyelashes are not required for Group A or Group B students.
Costumes: Parents are also responsible for the cost of their child’s costume. While every effort is made to source costumes at an affordable rate, it is expected that this will not exceed $100. Some costumes will be able to be sourced much more cheaply than this or there may be a hire fee. Information about costumes will be communicated in semester 2.
Shoes and hosiery: Students will mostly wear their usual class shoes for performances. Parents will be required to provide appropriate socks or tights for class and performance. Information about shoes and hosiery will be communicated in semester 2.
Props for performance: The end of year concert will require a small amount of stage and personal props. Parents are asked to help source these props and students will need to use these during the year as required. Information about stage and personal props will be communicated in semester 2.
Hair: During class, please ensure your child’s hair is tied back of the face. Information about hairstyles for the performance will be communicated in semester 2.

Absences from class:
If your child is going to be absent from class we ask you to email, ring the Conservatorium of Music office. There will be no refund or transfer of fees for absences. 

Parent viewing:
So we can teach the most effective lesson, parents are not permitted to watch any classes from inside the studio. During performances the taking of videos and photos by parents is not allowed.

Safety:
In accordance with University policies and procedures, minors MUST be supervised at all times while they are on campus and this is the responsibility of parents & guardians. Conservatorium Academy teachers are responsible for the students while they are in their classes but University or Academy staff are not responsible for students who are dropped off at the Conservatorium well before their class time or left well after their class has finished. While classes are in progress parents are welcome to wait in the foyer, or in the University Library (Building 719) where there are also tea and coffee facilities and seating areas. Please ensure your child is collected immediately after their class has finished.

Staff Profile: Kristopher Brennan

Kris, originally travelled from the cane-paddocks of Home Hill, just south of Townsville, to study at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music. 10 years on, he has made Mackay home. Growing up a Burdekin boy he has always held a passion for performing and a skill to light up when on stage. Starting when he was aged 11, his first on-stage role as a cockney boy in the Home Hill Choral Society’s production of My Fair Lady. From there he ventured across the river with the Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company, where his credits include roles in Hans Christian Andersen, Cinderella, Oklahoma!, and his personal favourite, Les Miserables. During his school years he also participated in various eisteddfods both in the Burdekin and North Queensland with school and community choirs as well as orchestras. Whilst studying his senior certificate, he also participated in and won both District and Regional finals for the Lions Youth of the Year Quest and was awarded the Australia Day Cultural Award for the Burdekin Shire.

Upon his relocation to ‘the big smoke,’ he swiftly took on various roles within The Conservatorium’s productions of Chess, Kiss Me, Kate, Aspects of Love, Footloose, The Sentimental Bloke, Chicago, The Threepenny Opera and Copacabana, and most recently, Sweet Charity. It was during the performances of the JC Williamson operetta, Djin, Djin, where he found his voice in performing the title role, and really enjoyed the passion and the excitement from utilising his instrument to its full capacity.

Working with nationally and internationally accredited artists, has certainly cemented Kris’s eye for detail. From the legend that is Nancye Hayes, to Keith Hawley, as well as the bubbly personality of Chloe Dallimore, Jack Webster and Peter Ross to name a few. Kris has always enjoyed learning and creating something magical with each of his cast mates and has fond memories of each performance. Until recently he was also a member of Mackay’s own ‘popera’ boy band, Formidablesinging alongside mentor and CQCM lecturer, Kim Kirkman. Touring to the northern and southern areas of Queensland and interstate, certainly opened up his eyes to the different aspects of performance and not just the glitz and glamour of the stage. Locally, Kris has been an avid performer, joining the Mackay Choral Society and the Mackay Musical Comedy Players in various productions most recently in Spamalot and The Secret Garden, but will always treasure his leading role as Enjolras in Les Miserables. With the Player’s he also directed the Theatre Restaurant, The World Bra Unlclipping Championships at Garimba, as well as a few scenes in various concerts and revues. He has also been an invited guest artist to various concerts and private events both locally and in northern districts and attends various master-classes and workshops for theatre and music where available.

This year will see Kris finally compete his studies at ‘the Con’ and obtain his Bachelor of Theatre Degree, specialising in Music Theatre. From there he anticipates commencing further post-graduate studies into performance and pedagogy, as well as assisting to develop the natural talents of younger Australians and the young-at-heart.