# Conservatorium High School > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Conservatorium_High_School > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Conservatorium_High_School.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatorium_High_School > Source revision: 1339812715 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) School in Sydney, Australia This article is about the music high school. For the tertiary music school and heritage-listed building, see [Sydney Conservatorium of Music](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music). Conservatorium High School Front western view of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Location Royal Botanic Gardens, off Macquarie Street, Sydney central business district, New South Wales Australia 33°51′48″S 151°12′51″E / 33.86333°S 151.21417°E / -33.86333; 151.21417 Information Type Government-funded co-educational selective and specialist secondary day school Motto Latin: Fiat Lux (Let there be light) Established 1915; 111 years ago (1915) Founder Henri Verbrugghen School district Port Jackson Educational authority New South Wales Department of Education Specialist Music Principal Ian Barker Years 7–12 Enrolment c. 150–200[1] (2015) Nickname ConHigh Website conservat-h.schools.nsw.gov.au The **Conservatorium High School** (colloquially known as **Con High**) is a public [government-funded](/source/Education_in_Australia#Government_schools), [co-educational](/source/Mixed-sex_school), [selective](/source/Selective_school_(New_South_Wales)), [secondary](/source/Secondary_school) [day school](/source/Day_school) that specialises in [music education](/source/List_of_creative_and_performing_arts_high_schools_in_New_South_Wales). It lies on the western edge of the [Royal Botanic Gardens](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Sydney), off [Macquarie Street](/source/Macquarie_Street%2C_Sydney), in Sydney's [CBD](/source/Sydney_central_business_district). The School is the secondary arm of the tertiary [Sydney Conservatorium of Music](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music), and is the only specialist [music high school](/source/Music_school) in New South Wales. ## Overview The School accepts students from [Year 7](/source/Year_7) to [Year 12](/source/Year_12), providing opportunities for musically gifted young people to combine music and academic studies.[1] The school ranks highly in the state for academic achievement; in 2014 it was placed 9th, in 2016 10th, and in 2019 2nd in the state for [Higher School Certificate](/source/Higher_School_Certificate_(New_South_Wales)) results.[2][3] The school counts among its [alumni](#Alumni) some of Australia's most acclaimed performers, teachers, composers, and musicians. ## History The school was established at the behest of [Henri Verbrugghen](/source/Henri_Verbrugghen), foundation director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, and enrolled its first students in 1918. The inaugural principal, Peter Steele, was seconded from [Sydney Boys High School](/source/Sydney_Boys_High_School) and taught in both the secondary and tertiary programs of the Conservatorium.[4] ## Campus Conservatorium of Music during Macquarie Night Lights, 2006 Main article: [Sydney Conservatorium of Music § Building description](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music#Building_description) Adjoining the Botanic Gardens and overlooking [Farm Cove](/source/Farm_Cove%2C_New_South_Wales), the Conservatorium of Music is one of Sydney's best-known heritage sites. The heart of the Conservatorium is the turreted sandstone structure that was designed by the convict architect [Francis Greenway](/source/Francis_Greenway) to serve as vice-regal stables for [Government House](/source/Government_House%2C_Sydney), which is across the gardens to the north. Extensive redevelopment in the late 1990s transformed the Con into a teaching, research, and music performance complex with expanded accommodation for around 160 Conservatorium High School students.[5] ### Facilities In addition to standard school classrooms, school offices, and staff room, the School has access to 53 teaching studios, 63 practice rooms, 140 pianos, 15 seminar and ensemble rooms, choral and instrumental rehearsal rooms, three recital/lecture halls, and two major concert halls.[6] Specialist facilities of the school include: - Joseph Post Auditorium with recording facilities - Music computer laboratory - Keyboard laboratory - Recording studio and electronic music production suite - General computer laboratory - Science laboratory - Visual arts and design and technology studio - Student Independent Learning Centre The school has access to other Conservatorium of Music venues such as: - Recital halls - Practice and ensemble rooms - The Music Workshop - Verbrugghen Hall ### Library Students have access to the [Conservatorium Library](/source/University_of_Sydney_Library#Conservatorium), one of Australia's finest academic music libraries, run by the University of Sydney. The Conservatorium Library functions as both a secondary school library and a university research library. Its collection dates from the establishment of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. The Library holds some 100,000 scores, 32,000 books, 20,000 CDs/DVDs, 12,000 vinyl recordings, print and electronic journals, and databases of streamed recordings and digitised scores. In addition to music, the collection covers school subjects such as creative arts, English, human society and its environment, languages, mathematics, science, and technology. ## School life and admissions The School is staffed and administered by the [New South Wales Department of Education](/source/New_South_Wales_Department_of_Education). Instrumental tuition, chamber music programs, and individual composition lessons are provided by Sydney University staff and other highly qualified and highly regarded musicians, composers, conductors, and musicologists. Students regularly participate in Conservatorium concerts and [masterclasses](/source/Masterclass). Admission is through a competitive process of auditions and workshops that assess each applicant's potential and level of achievement. Auditions are held each year around August. Prospective students must also sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test or other psychometric assessment.[7] The Conservatorium High School [Parents and Citizens](/source/Parents_and_Citizens) Association encourages parental representation on curriculum, finance, welfare and school management committees, and in a variety of fundraising activities.[8] ## Curriculum Subjects offered for students in Years 7–10 include: music, science, English, history, mathematics, geography, Mandarin, visual arts, design and technology, drama, personal development and health, performance workshop program, physical education, sports. Subjects offered to students in Years 11–12 may include: music 2, music extension, music performance board-endorsed course (performance workshop program, ensembles, chamber music and choir, house concerts), ancient history, modern history, history extension, biology, chemistry, physics, English advanced, English extension 1, English extension 2, French, German, mathematics general, mathematics, mathematics extension 1, mathematics extension 2, visual arts, and Mandarin. ## Music program and concerts Conservatorium High School students take part in a full program of individual, small ensemble, orchestral and choral music training and performance, as well as tuition in composition, music history, and music theory. Students receive tuition on their chosen instruments, mostly from teachers from the Sydney Conservatorium, a faculty of the University of Sydney. The standard semester requirement for all students is 16 one-to-one weekly lessons of one hour's duration on their major instrument, and 16 one-to-one weekly lessons of half-an-hour's duration on their minor instrument.[9] Students in Years 8–12 take part in either Junior or Senior Small Ensembles each week. Students in years 11 and 12 participate performance workshop classes for one hour per week. Included are classes on all aspects of performance, including such related topics as meditation, remedial posture work, and performance anxiety. Every year the school holds a regular program of public concerts, often attracting world-renowned musicians to perform with the students. The school presents three major choral/orchestral concerts each year. Term 2 showcases the annual concert and term 3 is the valedictory concert and farewell to Year 12. The winner of the School's annual concerto competition also performs with the orchestra on this occasion. At annual house concerts, held at the very end of Term 4, the houses compete for a trophy in one of the school's most esteemed musical events. Students are responsible for sourcing the music and obtaining permission to perform it. The criteria against which the performances are judged by professional guest adjudicators.[10] The School appointed [Carolyn Watson](/source/Carolyn_Watson) as conductor-in-residence in 2011. Recent repertoire performed under Watson includes Mussorgsky/Ravel *Pictures at an Exhibition* in a performance involving every student at the school, the first all-Australian program featuring works by composers Vine, Sculthorpe, Stanhope, Hindson and John Peterson; and Mozart's [Requiem](/source/Requiem_(Mozart)) performed to capacity audiences. In addition to orchestral concerts, there are chamber music concerts, soloist concerts, large- and small-ensemble concerts, and assembly performances.[11] ## Fees and scholarships The Conservatorium High School is a public school and academic tuition fees are set by the government. The cost of compulsory individual music program tuition with teachers of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is subsidised for students enrolling at the Conservatorium High School. Scholarships are available for special programs and purposes.[12] ## Notable alumni The school's [alumni association](/source/Alumni_association), the Conservatorium High Association of Old Students, aims to keep alumni connected through events and a regular newsletter, "This week at Con High". The Association also puts on concerts that raise funds for student grants and scholarships.[13] Notable alumni of the Conservatorium High School include: This list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please help improve it by adding reliable sources for existing names which prove they are alumni. Unsourced names may be challenged and removed. (May 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) - [Jack Colwell](/source/Jack_Colwell) – singer-songwriter[14] - [Iva Davies](/source/Iva_Davies) – songwriter, composer, lead singer of [Icehouse](/source/Icehouse_(band)) - [Sam Fischer](/source/Sam_Fischer) – pop-rock singer-songwriter - [John Foreman](/source/John_Foreman_(musician)) – musician and television personality - [Martin Lass](/source/Martin_Lass) – classical crossover violinist and recording artist - [Jade MacRae](/source/Jade_MacRae) – soul singer and recording artist - [Kim Moyes](/source/Kim_Moyes) – producer, DJ & half of [The Presets](/source/The_Presets) - [Jane Rutter](/source/Jane_Rutter) – flautist and recording artist - [Toby Thatcher](/source/Toby_Thatcher) – oboist and assistant conductor of the [Sydney Symphony Orchestra](/source/Sydney_Symphony_Orchestra) (SSO) - [Richard Tognetti](/source/Richard_Tognetti) – violinist, composer, and conductor, artistic director and leader of the [Australian Chamber Orchestra](/source/Australian_Chamber_Orchestra) (ACO) - [Barry Tuckwell](/source/Barry_Tuckwell) – Grammy-nominated horn player and conductor - [Roger Woodward](/source/Roger_Woodward) – classical concert pianist ## See also - [New South Wales portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:New_South_Wales) - [Schools portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Schools) - [Music portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Music) - [List of government schools in New South Wales](/source/List_of_government_schools_in_New_South_Wales) - [List of creative and performing arts high schools in New South Wales](/source/List_of_creative_and_performing_arts_high_schools_in_New_South_Wales) - [List of selective high schools in New South Wales](/source/List_of_selective_high_schools_in_New_South_Wales) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SchoolLocator_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SchoolLocator_1-1) ["Conservatorium High School"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080728082541/http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator/?section=showRecord&code=8147). *School Locator*. New South Wales Public Schools. Archived from [the original](http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator/?section=showRecord&code=8147) on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Ting, Inga (15 December 2016). ["HSC results 2016: James Ruse Agricultural High School tops the HSC for the 21st year running"](http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/hsc-results-2016-james-ruse-agricultural-high-school-tops-the-hsc-for-the-21st-year-running-20161215-gtbnwa.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["2014 High School Rankings"](https://www.matrix.edu.au/2014-high-school-rankings/). *Matrix education*. Retrieved 16 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Collins, Dianne (2001). *Sounds from the Stables: The Story of Sydney's Conservatorium*. Allen & Unwin. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Cummins, Jamie (6 May 2015). ["A century of sweet Sydney music as iconic Conservatorium turns 100"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-06/a-century-of-sweet-music-as-the-'con'-turns-100/6448852). ABC 702. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Facilities"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/about-2/facilities/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 16 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Academic Tests"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/entry-criteria/academic-tests/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Us"](http://conhighpandc.org.au). *Conservatorium High School P&C*. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Music Program"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/academic/music-department/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 16 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Music Program"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/academic/music-department/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 16 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Annual School Reports"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/about-2/annual-school-reports/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Frequently Asked Questions"](https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/entry-criteria/frequently-asked-questions/). *Conservatorium High School*. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["CHAOS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110912052451/http://www.chaosinternet.com/index.htm). *Conservatorium High Association of Old Students*. Archived from [the original](http://chaosinternet.com/index.htm) on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Colwell, Jack \[@jvckcolwell\];](/source/Jack_Colwell) (7 September 2024). ["big emotional day for me conducting back at my high school! 💕 x"](https://www.instagram.com/jvckcolwell/p/C_mSTc6SWfS/). Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via [Instagram](/source/Instagram). ## External links - [Conservatorium High School website](https://conservat-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/) - [Conservatorium High School Parents and Citizens Association](http://www.conhighpandc.org.au/) - Patty, Anna (27 December 2007). ["Sacking escalates tensions at music school"](http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sacking-escalates-tensions-at-music-school/2007/12/27/1198345162040.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. - Patty, Anna (3 April 2007). ["The Con calls in a peace broker"](http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/the-con-calls-in-a-peace-broker/2007/04/03/1175366235507.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. - Patty, Anna (19 November 2007). ["High school accused of elitism"](http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/high-school-accused-of-elitism/2007/11/19/1195321697163.htmL). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. - Yatman, Brian (2 July 2015). ["Timeline: Sydney Conservatorium of Music controversies"](http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/timeline-sydney-conservatorium-of-music-controversies-20150702-gi3elw.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. - [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20091222070459/http://chaosinternet.com/Score15.pdf) v t e Public high schools in the Eastern Suburbs, CBD and Inner West region of Sydney Alexandria Park Burwood Girls Central Sydney Intensive English Concord Conservatorium Fort Street Homebush Boys Inner Sydney J J Cahill Marrickville Matraville Sports Newtown Performing Arts Randwick Boys Randwick Girls Rose Bay SC South Sydney Strathfield Girls Strathfield South Sydney Boys Sydney Girls Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus Blackwattle Bay Campus Leichhardt Campus Tempe v t e Public high schools in the Sydney region Metropolitan North Bungarribee Blacktown Boys Blacktown Girls Evans Hills Sports Mitchell Cambridge Park Cambridge Park Cranebrook St Marys Senior Carlingford Carlingford Cumberland James Ruse Agricultural Muirfield Eastern Creek Colyton Erskine Park Plumpton Rooty Hill St Clair Girraween Girraween Greystanes Holroyd Northmead Creative and Performing Arts Pendle Hill Gordon Aurora College Chatswood Epping Boys Saturday School of Community Languages Turramurra Hornsby Asquith Boys Asquith Girls Cheltenham Girls Hornsby Girls Normanhurst Boys Pennant Hills Mount Druitt Chifley College Bidwill Dunheved Mount Druitt Chifley Senior Shalvey North Sydney Cammeraygal Mosman North Sydney Boys North Sydney Girls Willoughby Girls Penrith Glenmore Park Jamison Kingswood Nepean Creative and Performing Arts Penrith Pittwater Barrenjoey Ku-ring-gai Narrabeen Sports Pittwater Quakers Hills Doonside Glenwood Quakers Hill Riverstone Wyndham College Ryde Hunters Hill Marsden Riverside Girls Ryde SC The Beaches Northern Beaches SC Balgowlah Boys Cromer Freshwater Senior Mackellar Girls Manly Selective The Forest Davidson Killara Killarney Heights St Ives The Forest The Hills Baulkham Hills Castle Hill Cherrybrook Technology Crestwood Model Farms The Ponds Kellyville Rouse Hill The Ponds Metropolitan South and West Auburn Auburn Girls Chester Hill Granville South Creative and Performing Arts Bankstown Bankstown Girls Bankstown Senior College Condell Park Picnic Point Sir Joseph Banks Beverly Hills Beverly Hills Girls High School Kingsgrove Kingsgrove North Wiley Park Girls Bondi Randwick Boys Randwick Girls Rose Bay SC Botany Bay J J Cahill Matraville Sports South Sydney Canterbury Ashfield Boys Belmore Boys Canterbury Boys Canterbury Girls Dulwich Hill Visual Arts and Design Chipping Norton Bass East Hills Boys East Hills Girls Holsworthy Moorebank Chullora Birrong Boys Birrong Girls Punchbowl Boys Sefton Georges River Georges River College Hurstville Peakhurst Penshurst Oatley Senior Sydney Technical Iron Cove Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus Blackwattle Bay Campus Leichhardt Campus Kogarah Blakehurst James Cook Boys Kogarah Moorefield Girls St George Girls Marrickville Fort Street Marrickville Newtown Performing Arts Tempe Parramatta Arthur Phillip Granville Boys Macarthur Girls Merrylands Parramatta Port Hacking Caringbah Cronulla Endeavour Sports Port Hacking Woolooware Port Jackson Alexandria Park Cleveland Street Intensive English Conservatorium Inner Sydney Sydney Boys Sydney Girls Strathfield Burwood Girls Concord Homebush Boys Strathfield Girls Strathfield South Sutherland Endeavour Sports Gymea Technology Kirrawee Sylvania The Jannali Woronora River Engadine Heathcote Lucas Heights Menai Closed / defunct Beacon Hill Cremorne Girls Dover Heights Drummoyne Boys Enmore Macquarie Boys Technology Narwee Peter Board Petersham Girls Randwick North Ryde Vaucluse Public high schools in New South Wales Selective schools in New South Wales List of government schools in New South Wales Schools portal New South Wales portal v t e Selective and specialist high schools of New South Wales, Australia Fully selective high schools Baulkham Hills Caringbah Fort Street Girraween Gosford Hornsby Girls' James Ruse Agricultural Merewether Normanhurst Boys North Sydney Boys North Sydney Girls Northern Beaches: Manly Campus Penrith Selective Smith's Hill St George Girls Sydney Boys Sydney Girls Sydney Tech Partially selective high schools Alexandria Park Blacktown Boys Blacktown Girls Chatswood Elizabeth Macarthur Grafton Gorokan Karabar Kooringal Macquarie Fields Moorebank Parramatta Peel Prairiewood Rose Bay Secondary Ryde Secondary Sefton St Marys Senior Sydney Secondary Tempe Selective agricultural high schools Farrer Memorial Hurlstone James Ruse Yanco Selective creative and performing arts primary[note a] and high schools Australian Performing Arts Grammar School Brent Street Academy Campbelltown Performing Arts High School Conservatorium High School Granville South High School Hunter School of the Performing Arts[note a] Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School Ku-ring-gai High School The McDonald College[note a] Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Village Nation College Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Specialist sports high schools Endeavour Sports Hills Sports Illawarra Sports Matraville Sports Narrabeen Sports Westfields Sports List of selective high schools in New South Wales Selective schools of New South Wales Schools portal New South Wales portal ^a: Year 3 to Year 12 Authority control databases Geographic MusicBrainz place People Trove --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Conservatorium High School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatorium_High_School) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatorium_High_School?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.