Goal 11:
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
Upcoming events
In person
The 10th Annual Newbie Awards
Dress up and walk the red carpet for an evening showcasing the impressive work of Bachelor of Media and Communication students.
Live performance
To Listen To Sing by Ensemble Offspring
Presented by Ensemble Offspring, this event features composers from the Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers program.
Live performance
Community Strings Concert
Showcasing the achievements of the wonderful string students at the Conservatorium of Music.
Event
A strong, stable and prosperous Pacific
Today’s healthcare systems face significant challenges, join us to discuss how we look to technology to find solutions and answers.
Event
Sixty: A Celebration in Sound
Celebrate six decades of excellence at Sixty: A Celebration in Sound, a special concert showcasing the incredible talent of the University of Newcastle’s music graduates in the University’s 60th year.
Conservatorium News
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 • 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 • 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 • 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
News • 05 Dec 2017
2017 Vice-Chancellor's award winners announced
On Monday 5 December, the 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence celebrated the exceptional achievements of colleagues over the past year.
News • 06 Dec 2016
2016 Vice-Chancellor's award winners announced
On Monday 5 December, the 2016 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence celebrated the exceptional achievements of colleagues over the past year.
News • 20 Jan 2016
UAC Main Round Offers released
UON has released 4,136 UAC Main Round Offers to undergraduate students.
News • 21 Oct 2015
Nine graduates shine in UON’s golden year
Nine Univeristy of Newcastle (UON) graduates have been honoured in the 2015 Alumni Awards.
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.