Conservatorium’s Christmas with the Con returns for festive celebration

The Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM) is inviting everyone to celebrate the festive season with one of the biggest performances in the Riverina and fireworks with a twist.

RCM’s annual Christmas with the Con is on 14 December at Wagga’s new Riverside Precinct stage from 7 to 9:30 pm.

After the success of the 2022 and 2023 Christmas with Con, the RCM team decided to host another night of carolling for the Wagga community.

RCM CEO Hamish Tait said the event would feature more than 220 students from the conservatorium, showcasing the breadth of musical talent in Wagga.

“It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the end of the year,” Mr Tait said. “Most of our students have finished their exams, and this event helps everyone get into the Christmas spirit.

“All the performers are local, from children as young as five to those in their 80s. It highlights how vibrant Wagga’s cultural life is, with everything from instrumental duos and trios to full orchestral works.

“Everybody will be able to look up and go: ‘I know that person.’

RCM’s head of woodwind and brass, Tamara Spencer, said this year’s concert would encourage audience participation.

“You’ll get the chance to sing along with Larissa Burak, one of our staff vocalists and many may recognise her from The Voice earlier this year,” Ms Spencer said.

“So you can come along and have a sing-along with Larissa. I don’t think that’s an experience you’ll get anywhere else, other than outside of Christmas with the Con.”

The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, choreographed by Brian from Sinister Fireworks to align with the final orchestral number.

“We’re looking forward to seeing that come to life,” Ms Spencer said.

“You don’t have to go to Sydney Carols in the Domain. You can have the experience right here.

“Some of the young performers we’re putting on stage will be celebrities one day.”

Ms Spencer said the event was a great opportunity for RCM students to experience a large-scale professional production.

Mr Tait emphasised the importance of celebrating Wagga Wagga’s talented musicians and artists, noting they were often overlooked compared with sportspeople.

He said that recently he was at one of the local high schools and noticed the plaque had names of all the famous sportspeople who had studied at the school.

“I looked around and wondered where’s the music one? Because that same school produced some of Wagga’s most amazing musicians and yet they’re not celebrated,” he said.

“That’s what we are here to do. We’re keen to celebrate our local musicians and local music that can be made.

“And make the community aware, you have a conservatorium here in your city and it’s teaching a lot of people.”

RCM publicity officer and concert manager Kylie Dunstan said there would be two large screens at the location.

“Those who like to sit back and take in the atmosphere, they won’t miss anything,” Ms Dunstan said.

“They will see every beat, and sound and watch every stroke.”

Ms Dunstan said that as part of last year’s concert, they had event goers from right across the Riverina, interstate and around the world.

“I’m not claiming they came to Australia for Christmas with the Con, it may be coincidental,” she said.

“Maybe they did,” Mr Tait added.

Ms Dunstan said Christmas with the Con drew people to Wagga and benefitted the local economy.

RCM is partnering with the charity Country Hope to support families with severely ill children.

“Through the course of the evening, (Country Hope) they will do the lighting of their tree,” Mr Tait said.

“We get so much joy out of that partnership because they do so much good work, and people don’t see it until you’re in that situation.”

Attendees/audience members at Christmas with the Con can go into the draw to win a $500 gift voucher from the Wagga Wagga Marketplace.

Please note that due to the fireworks exclusion zone, the river walkway entrance into the Riverside Precinct (behind St John’s Anglican Church) will be closed from 7:45 to 9:15 pm on the evening of the event. During this time, no-one will be allowed in this area or to walk through this section of the footpath.

RCM encourages everyone to arrive early to secure their spot and ensure a smooth experience.

Christmas with the Con will take place on 14 December at Wagga’s new Riverside Precinct stage from 7 pm until 9:30 pm. For more information, head to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music website.