Young Conservatorium

Our comprehensive programs continue to produce wonderful young musicians

Young Conservatorium recognises talent and we delight in nurturing it, engaging young musicians through to adulthood.

All our ensembles, classes and individual tuition are held at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Applications for our 2027 Young Conservatorium programs are now open!

View the 2027 Young Conservatorium brochure

Apply Now

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Nurturing talent through Young Conservatorium

Young Conservatorium programs

Early Childhood Music and Young Beginner

Our Early Childhood Music program brings you and your child together to sing and perform, listen and imitate, observe and respond, imagine and compose, understand and appreciate, and be immersed in music. A trial class is offered prior to commencement.

Our Young Beginner program provides an introduction to practical instrumental music. This program continues the musical journey for students who have completed the Early Childhood Music Program or are looking to commence their musical education.

Age group	Program	Class size	Details	Annual Fee
2-3 years	Growing with Music	12 children per class	Saturday classes from 8.30am	$690
4-5 years	Tuning In	12 children per class	Saturday classes from 11.30am	$690
5-8 years	Early Musicianship	4-6 children per class	Saturday mornings (generally between 10–12pm)	$1400
5-7 years	Young Beginner - Keyboard, Violin Children are introduced to practical instrumental music	4-6 children per class	Saturday mornings (generally between 9–11.30am)	$1400

Individual Tuition

Large Ensembles

Ensembles are not just about performance but also about learning. We pride ourselves on the pedagogy that underpins the performance program, especially in the ensemble environment.

Ensembles take place once a week, over the Young Conservatorium’s 4 Term program.

Ensemble	Eligibility	When	Annual Fee
Symphony Orchestra	Grade 6 AMEB & above	Tuesday 5 - 7 pm	$690
Philharmonia	Grade 3 AMEB to Grade 6 AMEB	Saturday 11.30 am - 1 pm	$690
Wind Orchestra	Grade 6 AMEB & above	Saturday 11.30 am - 1.30 pm	$690
Wind Ensemble	Grade 3 AMEB to Grade 6 AMEB	Saturday 9.30 - 11.15 am	$690
Overture Winds	Grade 1 AMEB to Grade 3 AMEB Suitable for young musicians to develop ensemble skills – audition not required.	Saturday 8.15 - 9.15 am	$565
String Orchestra	Grade 6 AMEB & above	Saturday 11.30 am - 1 pm	$690
String Ensemble	Grade 3 AMEB to Grade 6 AMEB	Saturday 9.45 - 11.15 am	$690
Overture Strings	Grade 1 AMEB to Grade 3 AMEB Suitable for young musicians to develop ensemble skills – audition not required.	Saturday 8.30 - 9.30 am	$565
Concert Choir	Secondary school students aged 14-18 years	Wednesday 5 - 6.30 pm	$690
Jazz Orchestra	Grade 6 AMEB & above	Tuesday 5 - 6.30 pm	$690
Jazz Ensemble	Grade 3 AMEB to Grade 6 AMEB	Tuesday 5 - 6.30 pm	$690

Small Ensembles

These ensembles are formed at the start of each year and rehearse weekly according to the Young Conservatorium term dates. Pathways within our ensembles enable the young musician to progress through various levels as their musicianship develops.

Ensemble	When	Annual Fee
Jazz Combo	Tuesday 6.30 - 7.30 pm	$690
Percussion Ensemble	Saturday 8.15 - 9.15am	$690
Flute Ensemble	Thursday 5.30 - 6.30 pm	$690
Clarinet Ensemble	Saturday 8.15 - 9.15 am	$690
Saxophone Ensemble	Saturday 11.30 am - 12.30 pm	$690
Brass Ensemble	Saturday 10 - 11 am	$690
Woodwind Ensemble	Saturday 10 - 11 am	$690
Chamber Strings	Saturday 10 - 11 am	$690
Cello Ensemble	Saturday 11.30 am - 12.30 pm	$690
Guitar Ensemble	Saturday 12.30 - 1.30 pm	$690

Musical Awareness

Musical Awareness is offered to students who wish to develop and acquire theoretical and practical skills through the study of music elements.

Ensemble	When	Annual Fee
Creative Encounters with Music Technology	Saturdays 11 am - 1 pm	$790
Exploring Music - Classical	Saturdays 2 - 4 pm	$790
Exploring Music - Contemporary	Saturdays from 2pm	$790
Exploring Music - Voice	Saturdays from 3pm	$790
Musicianship – Theory	Saturday 11.15am - 12.15pm; and 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm	$395
Musicianship – Theory Advanced	Saturday 9 - 10 am	$395
Aural Studies	Saturday 8 – 9am; and 10 - 11 am	$395

Important dates

All programs are undertaken over four terms, and the program fee is for the full year.

2026 term dates

Term 3: 13 July – 13 September (9 weeks)
Term 4: 6 October – 15 November (6 weeks)

2027 term dates

Term 1: 8 February – 21 March (6 weeks)
Term 2: 12 April – 20 June (9 weeks)*
Term 3: 12 July – 12 September (9 weeks)
Term 4: 5 October – 14 November (6 weeks)

*Project week 24 May–30 May - no regular classes

2026 payment due dates

Payments to be received by close of business, 5pm, on the following dates:

Term 4: 14 September 2026

2027 payment due dates

Payments to be received by close of business, 5pm, on the following dates:

Term 1: 11 January 2027
Term 2: 5 April 2027
Term 3: 28 June 2027
Term 4: 13 September 2027

Important dates

26 September 2026 Closing date for all applications (excludes ECM)
28 September – 1 November 2026 Audition dates Instrumental and Choral
23 November 2026 Audition results posted this week to Instrumental and Choral applicants
7 December 2026 Young Beginner Keyboard and Strings 1st round of placement offers
11 January 2027 Final date for enrolment and payment of annual Early Childhood Music and Young Conservatorium fees
8 February 2027 Early Childhood Music and Young Conservatorium 2027 commences

Contact Open Conservatorium

General enquiries

Phone: +61 7 3735 6247
Email: open-conservatorium@griffith.edu.au

Program enquiries

Young Conservatorium: +61 7 3735 6247
State Honours Ensemble: +61 7 3735 6375
Adult Education, Tertiary Preparation and Live Music: +61 7 3735 6337

Find us

Location and delivery address: Open Conservatorium; Room 3.03; Griffith University; 140 Grey Street; South Bank QLD 4101
Postal address: Open Conservatorium; PO Box 3428; South Bank QLD 4101