Build connections between schools and conservatorium

Mr Patrick Brennan from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music was guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Umina Beach.

Club member Dr John Irvine introduced Mr Brennan and spoke of their common interest in working with children in schools to develop the children's interest in music and arts through bands and choirs.

Mr Brennan told of his crowded activities in early life including teaching and his unusual soprano singing ability.

He had contact with many choirs and trained at the Sydney Conservatorium where he eventually held positions and started to conduct choirs and bands.

In 2012, Mr Brennan acquired property at Phegans Bay and became a resident when he took up the position of CEO at the Central Coast Conservatorium.

He told the meeting he was using government funding to build stronger connections between local schools and the Central Coast Conservatorium.

Mr Brennan's ambition was for the relationship between the conservatorium and schools to grow to the extent that the children would be part of concerts and operatic works, improving their mental and overall health.

Government funding now covered 30 areas of musical training, Mr Brennan said.

However, families still had large fees to pay for their training.

He was looking forward to having local sponsorship to provide scholarships for promising students.

He said he was aiming for around 20 scholarships of up to $800 each.

Newsletter, 9 May 2016

Rod Radford, Rotary Club of Umina Beach