Sustainable Cities and Communities
Arts and Heritage Contribution
The University of Newcastle plays an active role in local arts via ongoing public performances, community‑affiliated ensembles, and inclusive music programs.
- Newcastle University Choir
The University supports a community choir, the Newcastle University Choir, which currently comprises around 100 voices drawn from students, staff, and local residents.
The Choir performs a broad repertoire (from sacred masterworks to jazz, gospel, and contemporary works) and appears in prominent local venues such as the University’s Great Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Harold Lobb Concert Hall. - Conservatorium Events & Ensemble Programs
The University’s Conservatorium of Music regularly hosts public concerts, recitals, workshops, and student showcase events.
Recent scheduled events include “Combined Choirs Concert,” “Wind Student Recital,” community string concerts, and band performances by students. - Community & Special‑Interest Choirs
The Conservatorium offers inclusive, community-based choirs that welcome participation from people beyond the student cohort:- The Unforgettables choir: for people with a dementia diagnosis and their care partners, meeting weekly and performing in public events.
- BrainWaves Stroke Survivors Choir: free to attend, this choir includes stroke survivors and their carers and offers performance opportunities in community settings.
- Ad Hoc & Assessment‑Based Performances
Students in the Conservatorium also participate in public performances as part of their coursework. For instance, Bachelor of Music students perform at venues such as the Clarendon Hotel in “Bands at the Claro” (a free event).
The University also marks anniversary milestones with special concerts that include alumni and community performers. - Combined Performances
The University hosts combined concerts that bring together multiple choirs. For example, in May 2025 a Combined Choirs Concert featured BrainWaves, The Unforgettables, The Vocal Company, The Callaghan Singers, and others.
Together, these programs show that the University of Newcastle not only supports but actively contributes to the cultural life of the region through regular, public performances by its choirs, orchestras, ensembles, and community‑based music initiatives. These programs and events are annual; they ran in 2024, have continued 2025, and will continue on in the years to come.
2024 Highlights
Welcome to Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
Conservatorium Events
What's on this week
In person
The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards Concert
The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards celebrate our next generation of talented jazz musicians.
Live performance
Echoes of the Globe
An afternoon of music from across the globe brought to you by The University of Newcastle Arts Orchetsra.
Upcoming events
In person
2026 HDR Student Festival
Higher Degree by Research students are making breakthrough discoveries and solving the world’s most formidable problems. The HDR Student Festival will feature a range of conference-style activities, as well as University-wide events to showcase the excellence and innovation of our
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Rhapsody
Join us for the opening event of the 2026 Newcastle Music Festival featuring Mitchell Berick and Erin Sweetman.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Weddings and Parties Over Coffee
Miriam returns home for this very special program featuring Bach’s poignant and heartwarming Wedding Cantata together with his Coffee Cantata, a miniature comic opera about a disgruntled father and his coffee-obsessed daughter.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Four Hands, One Piano
Combining virtuosity, expressive depth, and refined ensemble playing, Duo Mimesi captivates audiences with performances marked by brilliance, precision, and strong artistic intensity.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Hands, Feet and Animals
Newcastle Music Festival presents a delightful performance of dance and music.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Festival Choirs
Internationally renowned soloists Meechot Marerro, Elizabeth Cooper, Brad Cooper and Christopher Richardson join Italian piano Duo Mimesi and the Festival Choirs in a dazzling work by Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Scenes from Childhood
With pianist Coady Green, Linda Barcan will perform Mahler’s song cycle with themes of mortality and the persistence of nature, as well as works by Schumann, Rosenthal and Fiddes.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Weavers of Song
A unique musical pairing of two great artists: Miriam Allan and Erin Helyard.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Al Andalus
An evening of dazzling excitement as brilliant guitarist Paco Lara is joined by three flamenco dancers led by the wonderful Deya Giner.
Live performance
2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Festival Finale
Mahler’s epic vision of his first symphony soars in this version for chamber orchestra, in which the Christ Church Camerata expands to include wind percussion and brass.
Public Lecture
National Science Week with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
Celebrate National Science Week 2026 by joining astrophysicist Professor Lisa-Harvey Smith for a fascinating journey through the wonders of the universe, exploring the latest discoveries in astronomy, space exploration and the mysteries that continue to shape our understanding of the
Public Lecture
Looking Ahead Lecture with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
Celebrate National Science Week 2026 by joining astrophysicist Professor Lisa-Harvey Smith for a fascinating journey through the wonders of the universe, exploring the latest discoveries in astronomy, space exploration and the mysteries that continue to shape our understanding of the
Live performance
The Newkulele Festival 2026 Concert
The Newkulele Festival returns to the Conservatorium for one massive night of fun and music featuring three top-line acts from across the country (and one much closer to home).
Live performance
Waratah Choir Girls Annual Concert: Fire & Ice
The Waratah Girls Choir will be joining us here at the Con for their evening concert of choral music celebrating artistry, connection and legacy.
Live performance
GILES HENDERSON WANNAN, Chamber Music for Flute Viola & Harp
Harpist Alice Giles, flautist Jonathan Henderson and violist James Wannan join forces to present a programme centred around French music and contemporary living composers.
Conservatorium News
News • 18 Nov 2025
A Celebration in Sound — musical generations unite to amplify 60 years of unwavering talent
The University of Newcastle’s Great Hall will come alive with the musical talents of local artists and generations of alumni this weekend, as the University further marks its 60th year with a powerful Celebration of Sound.
News • 29 Jul 2025
Celebrating the next generation of jazz musicians at the inaugural Jacob Neale Jazz Awards
Showcasing the next generation of emerging jazz musicians in Jacob Neale's honour.
News • 25 Jun 2025
Calling all Newcastle Conservatorium Alumni
The Con is curating a special concert featuring performances by our talented alumni — and we want you to be part of it!
News • 14 Feb 2024
Exciting news for the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music
The University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sue Carson (School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences) as the new Conservatorium Coordinator. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Sue brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.
News • 20 Aug 2019
The next wave of research stars in the limelight
With thousands of hours of research condensed into just three minutes, 15 bright and determined postgraduate students will take the stage at The Conservatorium on Friday (23 August) to compete in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
News • 19 Jul 2019
Virtual concert set to transform performance possibility
The University of Newcastle will host Newcastle’s first ever virtual concert this week, as students test the boundaries of immersive performance.
News • 26 Jun 2018
Community Music Scholarships 2019
Applications for 2019 scholarships accepted until 3 November 2018
News • 01 Jan 2018
2018 Term Dates
FInd out the Newcastle Conservatorium Community Music Term Dates for 2017. Contact the Conservatorium Reception for more information...
News • 06 Dec 2017
An impressive creation to mark the 40th year finale
Internationally renowned soprano and UON alumna, Miriam Allan, will join the Newcastle University Choir for their final performance of 2017
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.