Gala concert celebrates Elder Conservatorium community

Future Memories Gala Concert, held in Elder Hall on Wednesday 15 May at 6.30pm, will demonstrate the artistry and collegiality of the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium community.

“In our Gala Concert, our brilliant staff performers lend their expertise to raise funds for student scholarships, which speaks volumes about the commitment of our faculty,” says Professor Anna Goldsworthy, Director of the Elder Conservatorium.

The program will open with Beethoven’s Gassenhauer Trio for the rare combination of clarinet, cello and piano, followed by Poulenc’s light-hearted, satiric Sextet for Piano and Winds.

Keith Crellin OAM, widely known as a leading Australian solo and chamber violist as well as for his commitment to teaching at the Elder Conservatorium, will demonstrate another string to his bow with the premiere of a new work for piano trio.

The evening will conclude with Mendelssohn’s magnificent Octet for Strings in E-flat major, a “miracle of the nineteenth century,” written when he was only sixteen years old as a birthday present for a violinist friend.

"The Elder Conservatorium is one of Australia's oldest and most distinguished tertiary music schools, and a jewel in the University's crown. I am confident that a bright future awaits us.”Professor Anna Goldsworthy, Elder Conservatorium of Music Director, the University of Adelaide

The Elder Conservatorium staff members who will perform are Elizabeth Layton (violin), Stephen King (viola), Edith Salzmann (cello), Rob Nairn (double bass), Lucinda Collins (piano), Anna Goldsworthy (piano), and Emma Gregan (horn), performing with cherished alumni including Niki Vasilakis (violin), Helen Ayres (violin), Thomas Marlin (cello), Joshua Oates (oboe), Mark Gaydon (bassoon), Jack Overall (cello), and Liam Pilgrim (violin), alongside current students Alex Byrne (flute) and Tim Tran (viola).

“Join us to celebrate the Elder Conservatorium’s continuing growth and exciting new horizons,” Professor Goldsworthy says.

The Elder Conservatorium Circle launching at the gala is a unique group of leading Elder Conservatorium supporters that will raise funds to support the Conservatorium’s ongoing mission to help students achieve the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for professional employment and musical growth.

The group’s advocacy, direct engagement and support will have an immediate and measurable impact on the success of the music education program and outcomes for students each year.

“As leading supporters and advocates, the Elder Conservatorium Circle will enjoy a close relationship with key staff and the celebrated community,” Professor Goldsworthy says.

“Circle members will be able to connect with each other, staff and students at events and concerts, and directly see how their contributions progress and impact the institution.”

Elder Conservatorium Circle members can gift $10,000 or more – either as a lump sum or $5,000 per annum for two years.

Gifts can be directed to any area to create meaningful impact including scholarships, as well as to teaching and students in each of the areas of study being classical, jazz, music theatre, and popular music and music productions.

“We have been really touched by the support from the community for the Elder Conservatorium,” Professor Goldsworthy says.

“The Elder Conservatorium is one of Australia's oldest and most distinguished tertiary music schools, and a jewel in the University's crown. I am confident that a bright future awaits us.”

For more information and tickets to Future Memories, visit the University of Adelaide website.