Jack Dutton completed the studios for singing and brass lessons about two years ago, before passing away in late 2012.

His wife, Alison, was humbled the studios were named in his honour.

“He was an ordinary bloke and it’s wonderful he will be remembered in this way,” she said.

“He loved what the conservatorium did.”

Mrs Dutton unveiled the plaque with help from her three children, Janet, Greg and Sally, and three of her six grandchildren.

Member for Orange Andrew Gee also unveiled a plaque for the library, funded by a $49,500 state government grant in 2012.

“[Former director] Graham Sattler took me up here and it was literally like walking through an attic - it was dusty and there were old instruments everywhere, but you could see the potential,” he said.

“It’s no secret that funding for the conservatorium is scarce and it runs on the smell of an oily rag. Without a big injection of funds, I don’t think it would have happened.” 

Completed about two months ago, the library features a new roof, carpet, paint, heating, shelving and cabinets to house the conservatorium’s sheet music and instruments, and video-conferencing equipment.

Music director Donna Riles said she was excited to see it finished and looked forward to reaping the benefits from video conferencing.

“We’ve got a project at the moment called the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Program, where our students are tutored by musicians from those orchestras by video conference and then they go to Sydney and sit with the orchestra,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for regional and rural students.”

Ms Riles said the technology would also allow the conservatorium to teach students in remote locations.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au