LUMEN Winter 2019 - Flipbook - Page 13
THEN AND NOW
The Elder
Conservatorium
of Music
Past and present, the Elder Con continues to
provide the perfect environment for young
musicians to find their groove.
STORY BY RENEE CAPPS
T
he Elder Conservatorium of Music
is one of Australia’s oldest and most
distinguished tertiary music schools.
Named in honour of its benefactor,
Sir Thomas Elder, and established in 1898, the
Conservatorium has played a leading role in
Australia’s musical landscape.
Among Elder Conservatorium alumni are
Natalie Williams, who graduated in 1999 with
a Bachelor or Music (Honours) majoring in
composition, and Anna Freer, who graduated
last year with a Bachelor of Music (Honours)
majoring in classical performance.
Since graduating, Natalie has pursued an
academic career which has taken her across
the globe.
Her music has been performed by orchestras
and ensembles throughout the world.
Anna was loaned a 200 year-old Gagliano violin
to play during her time at Elder. The violin was
once played by a child prodigy who attended
the Conservatorium. The instrument was then
donated back to the Conservatorium many
years later by her grandson.
Still fresh from graduation, Anna is now busy
teaching violin and singing with the Adelaide
Chamber Singers, and is working towards the
Masters Program in Violin Performance in
Zurich. She hopes to one day become the
concertmaster of an orchestra.
We take a look at their time studying at the
Elder Conservatorium.
ALUMNI MAGAZINE - WINTER 2019
11
