Australia’s only regional Conservatorium of Music celebrates its 15th birthday this year.

Headquartered at Central Queensland University Mackay, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music has 200 undergraduate students in Mackay, Rockhampton and cyberspace, excellent educational alliances with industry and innovative global teaching practices.

CQCM Sub-Dean Judith Brown said student numbers increased from 86 in 1999 to 200 in 2004, with current postgraduate enrolments totalling 130 (compared to none in 1999).

Demand for these prized places continue to grow, with students from England, Malaysia, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates joining students from throughout Australia in 2004 CQCM programs.

“Locating a world-class Conservatorium of Music in a regional area was considered a daring move 15 years ago. However its on-going vitality and relevance to the Australian arts sector continue to justify these bold moves, ” she said.

“CQCM has created a number of unique programs providing performing arts education across a wide field of performing disciplines, including music theatre, jazz, classical and contemporary popular music.

“Through its strong links with industry experts and some of Australia’s most experienced practitioners of the performing arts, CQCM students are able access a level of teaching that is world-class.

“Furthermore, through the initiative of the Virtual Conservatorium, students can undertake their music studies anywhere, anyhow, anytime.

“CQCM’s flexibility of delivery and openness to incorporating the best practices for teaching and learning in the performing arts has ensured that this regional institution has a great future and will continue to flourish for many years to come.”.

Ms Brown said CQCM graduates are now filling creative, educational and administrative roles in performing arts and arts-related industries throughout Australia, with some graduates performing in international productions in Japan and south-east Asia.

In recognition of her ground-breaking work in establishing Mackay’s CQCM, the CQCM foyer will be named in honour of Foundation Director Helen Lancaster on Saturday evening. Associate Professor Lancaster will join family and friends in the celebrations, which includes a 15th Birthday Gala Concert displaying the talent of staff and students.

The year-long celebrations include the concert beginning at 8pm on March 20, followed by the Bachelor of Music Theatre student production of The Sentimental Bloke from April 29 to May 1. The sensational musical Footloose will be presented from August 19-21, with classical music lovers offered a chance to enjoy a recital by internationally acclaimed pianist Mark Gasser on October 9.

CQCM started life in 1989 as the Mackay branch of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. After QCM was taken over by Griffith University, in the mid-1990s, CQU offered to take over the Mackay operation as it had a stronger geographical interest in the sugar centre.

CQU promised to preserve and extend the operation's profile and re-badged it as the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in the expectation that it would operate across the region.

In the late-1990s, CQU brought the Conservatorium under the administrative and financial umbrella of the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts, while preserving its public identity.

CQCM's headquarters now operates from a $5 million purpose-built complex (opened by Premier Beattie in November 2001) on the Mackay Campus, including a fully-operable theatre and recording studio.

Photo left: CQCM Rockhampton students involve Wowan Primary School visitors in their production of Where the Wild Things Are.

Photo right: CQCM Mackay staff members ready to celebrate are (from left) Ian Bofinger, Judith Brown, Derrin Kerr, Glen Hodges and Garrick Jones.