Wollongong Conservatorium of Music has three qualified Music Therapists on staff who can offer individually tailored program to suit most student's needs. These programs are available by consultation with our therapists and can be adjusted to cover a variety of different situations. For further information please contact Janet Andrews on 4228 1122.

In addition to the individual Music Therapy programs the Conservatorium offers our highly successful Pathways to Music program. 

Pathways to Music presents...The Rockers!

Pathways to Music was established in 2004 through a grant from Wollongong City Council. This program exists to facilitate an ongoing musical ensemble of musicians with a disability. The program was developed to encourage maximum autonomy and integration into the broader community, reducing social isolation and creating new possibilities for participation in the broader community through playing live performances.

Pathways to Music embraces creativity and difference through weekly one hour rehearsals facilitated by a registered music therapist. Members are encouraged to “own” and develop their creative material through improvisation and lyric writing. Members are engaged in all aspects of the performance process from developing material, listening back to CDs of their improvisations, developing their set list, doing their own media interviews, and getting themselves set up on stage.

Who can join?

Young adults with disability or impairment who live in the Wollongong / Shellharbour Local Government Area and have a passion for music, sing or play an instrument.

Background

Pathways to Music rehearsals take place on Tuesday nights from 6:30- 7:30pm at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. Within the last four years a large number of people have been involved with the program. Five of the original members of this programmeme formed a band called ‘The Rockers’. The Rockers play their own brand of experimental rock and released their self-titled demo CD in 2007 as part of the International Celebration of People with a Disability.
The members of The Rockers stated that without this program they “wouldn’t know any of this” (public performance, composing, playing and working together). Their success has inspired an off-shoot band, “The Rockveilers” being formed with participants from a local Community Participation service provider .

What difference does the program make to the participants?

All members agreed their music skills and confidence have improved since joining Pathways to Music. They enjoy the social aspect of meeting weekly and performing in public.

In their words:

• Leanne (singer/ keyboard): “Builds up my confidence which helps me to go out there and talk to more people.”
• Ryan (electric guitar): “You get a chance to play different instruments and learn different chords and sound effects and a chance to play in different places we normally wouldn’t get to play.”
• Scott (electric guitar): “I’ve learnt how to play guitar better and how to set up on stage.”
• David (drums): “I’ve become a better drummer”

What difference does the program make to the community?

The Rockers have received fantastic support from local audiences who have moshed and crowd-surfed to their music. Their enthusiasm, experimental techniques and passion for the music they play has inspired people from all walks of life to make music and support diversity in live music.

What are the three main reasons for the success of the organisation/program?

1. Affordability- the program has been subsidised since its inception with full and partial scholarships given to ensure participants are able to access the programme.
2. Public exposure- the Rockers have gained a great deal from doing a range of gigs in the community, performing at youth rock events (Wollongong/ Kiama) and community events (Australia Day 2005, International Celebration of People with a Disability 2005/2006/2007). On Saturday March 1, 2008, the Rockers performed at Wollongong’s premier alternative rock venue, the Oxford, supporting local band The Nice Folk. This was their first professional gig, which they got through The Nice Folk hearing their demo and then approaching them to play.
3. Embracing creativity- through developing their own sound and writing their own songs. The group freely experiments with creating different sounds and using non-conventional instrumental techniques. The Rockers develop their songs through improvisations which are recorded onto MP3 format. The demo CD contains many songs that were improvised on the spot.