About Macquarie Conservatorium
Macquarie Conservatorium of Music is a non-profit community organisation committed to providing high quality music education for Dubbo and the Orana region.
We are part of a network of 17 regional conservatoriums, providing a high standard of community-based music education for people living in regional New South Wales.
Over one thousand children, youth and adults participate in music education programs each year through Macquarie Conservatorium.
Based in Dubbo with a staff of specialist music teachers, we are located in the central business district and housed in a former school, with fourteen well-equipped teaching and rehearsal studios, and a performance hall used for public concerts and events.
Our programs
Music tuition and a range of music-making activities are available for youth and adults, from beginner to advanced levels.
Our programs include:
Tuition via Zoom and video conferencing provides access to music education for students in remote areas. Access to teachers of instruments, levels or styles not available in Dubbo is also an option through video conferencing with other regional conservatoriums.
Tuition, classes and ensemble activities take place both onsite at Macquarie Conservatorium and offsite. Instrumental tuition and curricular music programs are delivered to government and non-government schools in Dubbo, and to schools in surrounding regional centres, including Wellington, Gilgandra, and Narromine.
Conservatorium staff also direct bands, choirs and ensembles for a number of schools and community groups.
Events and performances
Each year Macquarie Conservatorium presents a program of special events open to the public. Visiting artists of national standing are brought to Dubbo for an annual concert series. Other events include student and staff concerts, children’s music theatre productions, and a range of workshops and masterclasses.
Our history and partners
Macquarie Conservatorium was established in 1987 as the School of Music and was based in a small building in Depot Road.
The School of Music was renamed Macquarie Conservatorium in 1996, and relocated to its current premises on the corner of Darling and Bultje Streets in 2003.
Macquarie Conservatorium is supported by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program.
Macquarie Conservatorium is a member of the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums.
Our Board
The Macquarie Conservatorium Board consists of nominated community members who volunteer their time and skills to guide the strategic direction of the organisation. It provides governance and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
Current board members are:
Chair: Nicholas Broadbent
Deputy Chair: Fred Randell
Treasurer: Joe Kellaway
Secretary: Liz Mazzer
Board member: Karen Robertson
As the Board has a strategic role, it does not deal with the day-to-day running of the Conservatorium.
If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please raise it with the relevant Conservatorium staff or the Director.
The Board should only be contacted where an issue is not resolved to your satisfaction or if you feel unable to discuss it with Conservatorium staff or the Director. In this case, please refer to our Members Complaints and Dispute Resolution Policy.
Contact the Chair by email here
or by mail to
The Chair of the Board
Macquarie Conservatorium
PO Box 661 Dubbo NSW 2830