CONverge

CONverge is the outcome of a partnership between The University of Sydney, the Sydney Conservatorium Open Academy, The Smith Family and the Matana Foundation. The program aims to bring together interest, opportunity and resources in a musical context using voice as the instrument. It sits within the personal development stream of The Smith Family’s ‘Learning for Life’ Program

Originally an instrumental program in 2007 the program was converted to a voice program so that more students would be able to participate.

The program involves four sessions at each of the participating high schools and culminates in a visit to the Conservatorium for a combined rehearsal and performance.

This collaboration is then included in the SING NSW concert organised by the NSW Department of Education and Training at the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, a wonderful experience for the participating students form the participating High Schools.

In 2008 the participating high schools were:

• James Meehan High School
• Auburn Girls High School
• Chiefly College, Bidwill campus.

Each school performs separately followed by a group (CONverge) performance. This year CONverge performed ‘Stand by me’ by Ben King, Jerry Leibler and Mike Stoller arranged and directed by Clarita Derwent.