Region Illawarra reported that the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music received the 2026 Award for Excellence in Music Education at the Art Music Awards. The national honor recognizes the institution’s Music in Schools program, which deploys specialist staff into classrooms to deliver instruction and relieve pressure on regular school teachers.
CEO Annette Brown stated the accolade highlights efforts to provide access for all students, regardless of their career aspirations. She emphasized that the curriculum builds transferable skills beneficial for future lawyers, doctors, or administrators, not just performers. Recent funding has allowed the conservatorium to expand into schools previously unable to access these services.
Brown noted the program utilizes personalized pedagogical approaches, such as partnering with Gadhungal Marring to teach beat through heartbeat and clapping sticks for Indigenous students before introducing Western instrumentation. The organization also collaborates with Guide Dogs NSW and the Disability Trust to create tailored workshops and therapy for students with visual impairments or those requiring home-based learning. Despite recent staff redundancies, Brown confirmed 75 teachers remain to ensure access, while separately emphasizing the need for financial sustainability to broaden community opportunities.
For more information, visit regionillawarra.com.au.