Learning Music at the RCM

The RCM offers a wide range of tuition in most musical instrument and vocal styles. Students can learn at school or at the RCM's main campus. Remote students can also access RCM teachers using Video-conferencing including Zoom, Skype and H323 conferencing systems.

For school leavers, the RCM is partnering with the Central Queensland University to offer a Diploma of Music and Bachelor of Music. Click on Diploma of Music and Bachelor of Music button on this page to learn more.

Enrolment

All students must be an enrolled member in order to commence lessons at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. 

To begin the enrolment process you will first need to speak to the Head of the Department or the teacher to determine your lessons requirements. To make an enquiry visit the RCM website go to Enrolment and click on the Make an Enquiry link, or call the RCM Office who can forward your enquiry for you.

If you are not already an enrolled member then you will need to complete an Enrolment Form.

Enrolment forms are available from the RCM office, your teacher or on the link on this page. You can submit your enrolment form via the web link, mail, fax or by visiting the RCM office during business hours.

Once you have completed and submitted your enrolment form the RCM’s admin team will process your enrolment and issue you with an invoice for the tuition fees.  Your payment of this invoice will complete the enrolment process.

Please note:- it is a condition of enrolment that fees must be paid in advance or lessons may not commence nor will you be able to participate in any RCM ensemble.

If fees are unpaid a student is deemed to not be an active enrolled student. RCM teachers are not permitted to teach students who are not enrolled. Your teacher may refuse to teach you or your child until fees have been paid. 

Enrolling at the RCM is very easy. There are normally vacancies in every department and the instrument/ vocal area of your choice. Enrolment is a staged process that involves several simple steps:

1. Complete and enrolment enquiry detailing your preferred area of musical study.

2. the Head of Department for that area will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the options for you or your child in relation to your instrument/ vocal choice.

3. You will be provided with an RCM enrolment form which needs to be completed, printed and signed. You can either email the scanned enrolment form to admin@rivconmusic.nsw.edu.au or deliver it in person to the RCM office on CSU South Campus, Wagga Wagga.

4. In order for your enrolment to be completed, you need to either make a full payment of the Term's fees in advance or make arrangement for a payment plan with the RCM Head of Finance and Administration. You may contact the Head of Finance on (02) 6925 3522.

The Riverina Conservatorium of Music believes that participating in a musical ensemble greatly enhances the music education experience. For many people, participating in an ensemble is the primary reason for learning music. The RCM offers a wide range of ensembles for all members of our community regardless of their age or musical ability. 

The RCM also offers professional opportunities for staff and local professional musicians to engage in performance ensembles.

String Department Ensembles

• Little Fiddlers - violin (4years Pre-School)

• Primo Strings - violin/viola/cello (AMEB Prelim - Grade 1)

• Junior Strings - violin/viola/cello (AMEB Grade 1 - 2)

• Stringendo - violin/viola/cello (AMEB Grade 3-4)

• Riverina Conservatorium Orchestra - Strings (AMEB Grade 5 & above)

• Riverina Community Strings - violin/viola/cello (AMEB Grade 4 and above)

• Adult Intermediate Strings - violin/viola/cello (AMEB Grade 4 and below)

Woodwind and Brass Department Ensembles

• Reed Ensemble - clarinet/saxophone - AMEB Grade 1-3

• Junior Flute Choir - AMEB Grade 1-3

• Junior Brass Ensemble - AMEB Grade 1-3

• Intermediate Flute Choir - AMEB Grade 3-5

• Senior Flute Ensemble - AMEB Grade 6 and above

• RCM Student Concert Band - AMEB Grade 3 and above

• Riverina Conservatorium Orchestra - Brass/Woodwind/Percussion (AMEB Grade 5 & above)

• Simmons Street Big Band - AMEB Grade 4 and above (Brass, Woodwind, Percussion)

Guitar Department Ensembles

• Beginner Classical Guitar Ensemble - AMEB Prelim - Grade 1

• Advanced Classical Guitar (Guitarists' Feast) - AMEB Grade 5 and above

• Adult Guitar Ensemble - AMEB Grade 2 and above

Contemporary Music Ensemble

• RCM Student Rock Band - Junior & Senior

• Simmons Street Big Band - AMEB Grade 4 and above (Swing, Jazz, Latin, Straight 8 styles)

Community concert band

• Riverina Concert Band - AMEB Grade 4 and above

Vocal Department Ensembles (CHOIR)

• Sing It Out (Youth Choir - 16years & under)

• Cantilena Singers

• Murrumbidgee Magic

• La Chorale Francaise de Wagga Wagga

School Band Programs facilitated by the RCM

• Kooringal Public School Band Program

• Sturt Public School Band Program

• Wagga Wagga Public School

School Strings Programs facilitated by the RCM

• Wagga Christian College Year 4 Program

Scholarships

The Riverina Conservatorium of Music aims to reward excellence in performance through its scholarship program and all enrolled students are eligible to audition each year. In October each year, the RCM awards over $20,000 of scholarships to worthy students. All scholarships are sponsored by the community with individual, corporate and government donors. 

Scholarships are competitive and are awarded in a variety of instrumental and vocal categories representing the diverse range of instruments and musical styles taught at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.

Professional music performers and educators who recognise the value of supporting emerging musical talent are appointed as adjudicators. They select scholarship winners from auditions held on the RCM Scholarship Day which takes place early in Term IV each year. Students are nominated by their teachers to apply for the scholarship program.

Scholarships are awarded in the following areas:

• Keyboard

• Percussion

• Woodwind

• Brass

• Strings

• Guitar

• Contemporary & Traditional Vocal Performance

• Dr Ray King Scholarship

If you are interested in being a part of the RCM's scholarship program contact the Director on 6925 3522.

Bursaries

In addition to the RCM's Scholarship Program, students are also eligible to apply for financial support through the RCM's Bursary Program. Bursaries are means tested and are designed to support students who may have to stop lessons due to financial constraints. 

Bursaries can also be applied for to support additional learning for student where multiple programs are already being studies. For example; a student may eligible for a bursary if they are learning the flute, but due to financial constraints participating in the concert band is not possible.

Piano Accompaniment

Tokens cannot be refunded or “reissued”

Piano accompanists for all vocalists and instrumentalists:

* Carmel Ryan - Mob 0411 201 455

* Rowena Grosfeld - Mob 0414 681 539

* Joanne Burrows - Mob 0409 562233

Fees and Tokens below apply for all RCM staff asked to assist and or accompany performances for Exams, HSC, Eisteddfods, Scholarships.

Please submit music to accompanist allowing for preparation time.

Late submission of music may result in either a double fee for accompaniment or inability for accompanist to provide the service.

Click here to see full piano accompaniment prices

For further information CLICK HERE or contact Joanne Burrows RCM Head of Keyboard  Mob 04709 562 23

Email: jburrows@rivconmusic.nsw.edu.au