Funding instrumental to chamber music

PLAYING a variety of musical instruments was an important part of Andrew Gee’s life growing up, so it was with a great deal of satisfaction the member for Orange announced a state government grant for Orange Regional Conservatorium (ORC) on Friday.

ORC director Graham Sattler said the funding would be put to good use, establishing a chamber music program to replace the Hear It On The Grapevine series.

Mr Gee said the funding was part of a statewide program in which 17 regional conservatoriums received money.

Mr Sattler said he was excited at the prospect of introducing a chamber music program to provide more performance opportunities for professional musicians on staff at the conservatorium.

“But importantly, for the first time, we will be presenting a musical program that will have an abridged version of the full performances, at Orange Health Service,” he said.

Mr Sattler has identified six indoor and outdoor areas at the hospital where the performances will take place.

Mr Gee said the ORC was considered a key arts organisation in NSW.

“Regional conservatorium project funding aims to enhance regional diversity, excellence and innovation in musical performance through boosting the number of professional musical performances and arts development in regional and rural area,” Mr Gee said.

“This funding is great news and is in addition to the recurrent funding it receives from the Department of Education and Communities.”

Mr Sattler said securing sufficient funding for the conservatorium to continue its many programs and engage tutors was ongoing.

“It can be very stressful at times,” he said.

However, Mr Sattler said the organisation would continue to strive to be relevant to the whole community.

“When I came here 11 years ago we were working with just one school,” he said.

“That number has grown to 20 schools and while that may fluctuate to a degree from time to time it is a significant connection with the community.