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Minister previews conservatorium

Minister previews conservatorium

By Niccola Anthony

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley was given a sneak peek at The University of Melbourne’s new arts centre on October 15.

The $109 million Ian Potter Southbank Centre will be home to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), which comprises part of the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.

Accompanying Minister Foley to the preview was The University of Melbourne’s new vice-chancellor, Duncan Maskell, and the university’s dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, Barry Conygham.

A group of students, making up a three-piece brass ensemble, performed for the minister, the vice-chancellor and the dean at the preview, making them the first to play in the new conservatorium before its official opening next February.

The new centre is a feat of architectural excellence. Designed by John Wardle Architects, it will feature world-class acoustic spaces and an oculus window that reaches six metres in diameter.

In the conservatorium rehearsal spaces, a rock band can play at full volume and remain unheard by a string quartet in the next room.

“The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is a stunning addition to our arts precinct and an important investment in our creative talent and the future of our creative state,” Mr Foley said.

“The Victorian Government has been proud to partner with The University of Melbourne to bring this new centre to life and to continue to transform Melbourne’s Arts Precinct into one of the very best, most exciting cultural and creative destinations in the world.”

The facility will open in 2019.

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