As NSW’s largest regional conservatorium of music it is currently home to 55 music teachers and over 1000 students throughout the Lithgow, Bathurst Region and Lachlan Shire.

The conservatorium is no stranger to hosting famous visiting musicians as well as holding recitals, concerts, student performances and providing musicians for all manner of community events.

But according to Executive Director Fiona Thompson there is more the Conservatorium would like to do.

“This year will see us step out into some unknown territory such as hosting our own local radio program, Armchair Concert series as well as some regular airtime on ABC Central West and local community radio stations,” Mrs Thompson said.

“We want to promote regionally based musicians, performers and composers as well as opening up the discussion of grassroots music in way that includes everyone.”

The conservatorium is now on Facebook and YouTube and is looking to communicate with the community in variety of ways.

“We want to build on our online presence in any way that we can,” Mrs Thompson said.

“It’s not just the traditional set of posters and fliers that you might find in shop windows - we do it all because we know from recent audience surveys that in fact our audiences and students find out about what we do in such a variety if ways but word of mouth is still very important.”

Other firsts include Early Childhood Music in partnership with Storytime book reading sessions at Bathurst Library on February 21 and May 17 with other dates to follow.

Mitchell Conservatorium’s Armchair Concert series will start on March 5, fortnightly at 1.30pm on 2MCE.

You can also catch Fiona Thompson fortnightly on 2BS and Lithgow Campus Director Annette Milroy fortnightly on 2LT for a catch up.

“We want music to be a part of everyone’s lives, from preparations for a professional career in music to mums, dads or grandparents attending early childhood music with their little ones. I believe music raises ones quality of life.”

For more information go to www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au or call 02 6331 6622.