New conservatorium to open

Drum tutor Phil Stitt and guitar tutor Damion Towner let loose at the Conserva-torium ahead of its official opening and Open Day on Sunday.

Rob Wright

THIS weekend you can find out what the musical fuss is all about when Coffs Harbour’s new regional conservatorium building opens its doors to the public for an open day.

The conservatorium, now located in the Bray St Complex next to BCC Cinemas, will hold the open day from 3.30pm to 5pm on Sunday, with choral performances, guided tours and demonstration lessons in various studios. The newly-formed adult choir will sing at 3.30pm, directed by Susan Pratten, and the Sounds Fine! Youth choir will sing at 4.30pm.

“We are so proud of the new facility and so pleased to have a roof over our heads,” conservatorium director Carol Hellmers said.

Among the special guests at an earlier invitation-only formal opening function at the conservatorium on Sunday, will be Mrs Barbara Hogbin, who donated $800,000 towards the $2- million cost of buying and refurbishing Stage 1 of the con’s new premises; her son Mr Ian Hogbin; Mr Ray Gillies from the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program of the NSW Department of Education and Training; Mr Spencer Bruskin from ETC; Conservatorium president Mr Garry Nehl; other sponsors and supporters, and the Friends of the Conservatorium.