History

The music program at Avondale University began in 1911. The program became Avondale Conservatorium in 2013.

Gifted educator Charles Schowe is a key figure in the early growth of the program. He headed the program from 1911 to 1918, teaching violin, piano and voice, directing a choir and orchestra, staging Avondale’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah and also teaching Greek and history. He developed a four-year academic program in music and, at a time when few at Avondale shared his vision for external recognition, encouraged students to take the exams of the Australian Music Examinations Board and Trinity College London.

Avondale completed building the Music Hall under principal Lynn Wood in 1925. Robert Johnson, a talented musician, steered the music program through the challenging 1930s.

The program made significant gains under George Greer, music director from 1947 to 1952. Already known for outstanding choral work in the United States, Greer established the 60-voice Avondale Symphonic Choir, now , which performed sacred music a capella, gaining a national reputation for its eight-part blended harmonies and technical precision. The choir toured most states of Australia and appeared on ABC Radio. Greer introduced annual performances of the Messiah, along with midyear oratorios such as Haydn’s Creation and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. By the end of his tenure, 200 students were taking music lessons. Dr Noel Clapham, who followed Greer, sustained similar high standards of choral performance.

One of the most notable chapters in the history of music at Avondale began with Alan Thrift’s appointment as head of music in 1957, a tenure that spanned 34 years. Thrift expanded the choral repertoire into a broader range of styles and genres, producing highly accomplished performances that were often technically challenging. His choirs were broadcast on radio and television, toured every state of Australia and to New Zealand and the United States.

David Clark’s tenure was also significant. He taught music at Avondale for 25 years, including eight years as music coordinator. He established the Avondale Chamber Orchestra, founded the Suzuki Piano School at Avondale, hosted annual Suzuki professional conferences and initiated European study tours for music majors. His organ students now enrich worship in churches.

Dr Robb Dennis, appointed in 2004, formed The Promise vocal ensemble, further refined Avondale’s degree programs in music, established a computer lab for music composition and expanded the music program into Greer Hall, the former Science Hall now named in honour of George Greer.

The new Avondale Conservatorium director, Aleta King, has taken music at Avondale to further levels of academic and performance excellence—Avondale graduated its first higher degree research student in music in 2012. Aleta has also established connections between the Avondale Singers and The University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra, collaborating for the first time in 2014 and again in 2015. Like the others before her, Aleta is motivated by the desire to employ music to the glory of God.—Dr John Cox, former president, Avondale University