THE MEMORANDA
What's on in Term 1
Lessons at the Conservatorium: Monday 2 February - Thursday 2 April (9 weeks)
Lessons in Schools: Monday 9 February - Thursday 2 April (8 weeks)
Saturday 21 February - Visiting Artists,Contra Guitar Duo - 3pm
Sunday 8 March - International Womens’ Day Concert - 3pm
Thursday, 19 March - Visiting Artists, Duo Aki - 7pm
Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April, PAN Concerts
Welcome to Term 1 at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium!
This year promises to be an exciting one, with a range of events and performances lined up this term tpo start the year off.
Thank you for being part of our CVCon community. We all hope that you enjoy your time with us, whether as a student, parent of a student or as an audience member.
Adam Wills, Director
Contact CVCon
All students from Term 4 2025 have been re-enrolled for Term 1 2026, unless you have indicated otherwise.
Visiting Artists Series
THURSDAY19MARCH
Note from Eden Annesley - Duo Aki
Hi everyone! My name is Eden Annesley I grew up in Grafton, where I attended Westlawn Public School and Clarence Valley Anglican School.
CVCon played a big role in my musical education from a young age. I learned piano from Leanne Taylor, violin from both Sarah Nicholls and Cherry Collins, theory from Peter Morgan and was fortunate to play in many ensembles like Strings’n’Things. I was really lucky to have such supportive and encouraging teachers who inspired me to keep going in music, and I ended up studying violin performance at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, upon graduation.
Through my studies, I was fortunate to have chances to play with ensembles like the Australian Youth Orchestra and Ensemble Q, as well as study in Japan for a year assisted by the Australian Government of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Colombo Plan scholarship Music was an incredible tool for connecting with the community in a new country, and a real highlight was forming Duo Aki with my friend Lola Schuele, a saxophonist and bassoonist from Cairns.
I am really thrilled to be able to share our program, before/now/after with friends at the CVCon The concert unites Australian and Japanese classical, contemporary and folk traditions and includes custom made visuals by Danish multimedia artist Monica Vejgaard. When curating before/now/after, we were excited to include works by many emerging Australian composers, including Imogen Ferdinando and Hayley Wolters, feature aspects of electronic music (looper pedal), and the Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi), played by Lola.
It’s a real delight and honour to return to perform on a stage where I took my first steps as a musician, and I h l d j i i al and visual journey across two incredible e encountered.
Eden being awarded the 2019 Student of the Year
2026 Scholarship Students
Congratulations to Our 2026 Scholarship Students!
Senior Music
Amelie Davis - Violin
Theo Symons - Percussion
Sebastian Worrell - Saxophone
Junior Music
Miles Ferguson - Piano
Albie Granleese - Trumpet
Fred Holloway - Piano
Ensemble Scholarships
Alice Brotherson - Violin
Kallum Esad - Guitar
Archie Ricketts - Bassoon
Travis Smidt - Trumpet
Toby Smidt - Trumpet
2025 Student of the Year
CVCon Student of the Year: Congratulations Riley Smidt!
The Clarence Valley Conservatorium is proud to announce Riley Smidt as our 2025 CVCon Student of the Year. This award recognises not only outstanding musical achievement, but also commitment, leadership, and contribution to the CVCon community — all qualities Riley demonstrates in abundance.
Riley has shown exceptional dedication to his musical studies, approaching lessons, rehearsals, and performances with focus, curiosity, and enthusiasm. His consistent effort and willingness to challenge themselves has resulted in impressive musical growth and a high standard of performance across the year.
Beyond individual achievement, Riley is a valued member of the CVCon community, performing in many ensembles and concerts throughout his time at the CVCon. Riley’s attitude reflects a genuine love of music and a respect for the collaborative spirit that sits at the heart of CVCon.
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We congratulate Riley on this well-earned recognition and look forward to watching his musical journey continue to flourish. Riley’s achievements are an inspiration to students across the Conservatorium.
Congratulations, Riley.
Here’s some of what happened in Term 4, 2025
Choirs, Ensembles and Groups at CVCON
Good Vibes Choir
Theory for Juniors
Con Kids Chorus
Concert Band
Con Youth Chorus
Jazz Ensemble
Con Chorus
MONDAY
1.00-2.30
4.00-4.45
4.00-4.45
4.45-5.30
5.00-6.00
5.40-6.40
6.30-7.30
TUESDAY
Forget Me Nots
Rock Band 1
Beginner Strings
Guitarchestra
Squeeze Box Circle
Piano Ensemble
Strings ‘n’ Things
10.00-11.30
4.00-4.45
4.45-5.30
5.30-6.30
WEDNESDAY
1.00-2.00
4.00-4.45
5.30-7.00
THURSDAY
Kidzjam
Flute Ensemble
Strum and Drum
Ensemble Theory (Seniors)
Adult Flute Ensemble
Sax Ensemble
10.30-11.00
5.30-6.15
FRIDAY
12.30-1.30
4.00-4.45
4.00-4.45
4.45-5.30
Brenda Little
Peter Morgan
Kate Joseph
Peter Morgan
Kate Joseph
Peter Morgan
Kate Joseph
Jenny W & Leigh R
Wesley Chegwidden
Inanna Sage
Luke Gough
Greta Enns
Jayne Logan
Sarah Nicholls
Wesley Chegwidden
Sharon Davidge
Luke Gough
Peter Morgan
Sharon Davidge
Peter Morgan
Who’s who at Clarence Valley Conservatorium
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Treasurer / Public Officer
Members
Parent Representative
Jenny Worrell
Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson
Paul Kennedy, Yvonne Ledingham, Fran
McHugh, Deborah Wray, Calvin Terry
Mark Woods
ADMINISTRATION
Director
Administration Manager
Finance Manager
Operations Co-Ordinator
Projects Officer
Adam Wills
Vicki Forbes
Carolyn Maunder
Luke Gough
Gail Wiley
TUTORS
Brass
Clarinet, Saxophone
Flute, Fife, Piccolo, Panpipes
Guitar: Classical, Folk
Electric Guitar, Ukelele, Music Production
Guitar, Bass Guitar
Guitar, Ukelele, Banjo, Harmonica
Percussion
Percussion, Rock Band
Piano, Piano Accordian
Piano, Flute, Accompanying
School Groups
Strings ‘n’ Things (ensemble)
Violin, Piano
Voice, Choirs
Voice
Choirs
Melissa Davies
Peter Morgan
Sharon Davidge
Ryan Enns
Luke Gough
Chris Kay
Damien Sullivan
Adam Wills
Wesley Chegwidden
Greta Enns
Jayne Logan
Elizabeth Moore
Sarah Nicolls
Innana Sage
Kate Joseph
Elysha West
Brenda Little