Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music
Encyclopedia
The Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music was a school of music located in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
. During its early days it was closely associated with opera
diva
Dame
Nellie Melba
, after whom it was later named. In 1994 it became affiliated with Victoria University
. Founded in 1901 as "The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne", the Melba Conservatorium ceased teaching at the end of 2008. However, the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust continues to fund opera scholarships for training at other institutions such as The Opera Studio Melbourne
.
, where it had been founded in 1895. George William Louis Marshall Hall, its first proprietor, named his institution The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne, and operated it initially within the Victorian Artists' Society Building in Albert Street, East Melbourne
. The Conservatorium continued to function as a private Conservatorium with a Sole Proprietor through its second Director, Fritz Hart and on to its third Director, Harold Elvins.
When Elvins purchased the Conservatorium business he set about forming the Conservatorium into a nonprofit company. This was achieved in 1944 and the Melba has continued to run since that time as an incorporated company with a governing Council. Several further Directors and a change of premises for ten years to 16 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford
, saw the Conservatorium, by 1983, purchase accommodation at 45 York Street, Richmond
, where it remained until its closure in 2008.
of Music through its affiliation in 1994 with Victoria University
. Under this agreement, Melba delivered the University's Bachelor
of Music courses. Melba also offered private studio tuition through its Single Studies program, and short courses.
In 2002, Melba commenced delivery of two new degree programs at the University's Sunbury campus, in a cross-sectoral Music Department, sharing facilities with Victoria University TAFE's School of Further Education, Arts and Employment Services. These BMus programs at Sunbury provide undergraduate courses in music technology and contemporary music performance.
Melba continued to produce classical and contemporary music performers and other music professionals well equipped to pursue a variety of careers at local community, national and international level. Students spent more than half of their course time in performance and/or studio related activities under the guidance of a small specialist staff, dedicated to providing students with a supportive and professional environment in which to learn and develop as musicians.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. During its early days it was closely associated with opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
Dame
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...
, after whom it was later named. In 1994 it became affiliated with Victoria University
Victoria University, Australia
Victoria University is a multi-sector tertiary institution based in Melbourne, Australia with 10 campuses.VU offers qualifications in higher education, vocational education , and short courses...
. Founded in 1901 as "The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne", the Melba Conservatorium ceased teaching at the end of 2008. However, the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust continues to fund opera scholarships for training at other institutions such as The Opera Studio Melbourne
The Opera Studio Melbourne
The Opera Studio Melbourne is a not-for-profit, independent training organisation for aspiring opera singers, and répétiteurs based in Melbourne, Australia...
.
Early history
The Melba was established as a private Conservatorium in 1901 after breaking away from the control of the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where it had been founded in 1895. George William Louis Marshall Hall, its first proprietor, named his institution The Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne, and operated it initially within the Victorian Artists' Society Building in Albert Street, East Melbourne
East Melbourne, Victoria
East Melbourne is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, adjacent to Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne. At the 2006 Census, East Melbourne had a population of 4,330....
. The Conservatorium continued to function as a private Conservatorium with a Sole Proprietor through its second Director, Fritz Hart and on to its third Director, Harold Elvins.
When Elvins purchased the Conservatorium business he set about forming the Conservatorium into a nonprofit company. This was achieved in 1944 and the Melba has continued to run since that time as an incorporated company with a governing Council. Several further Directors and a change of premises for ten years to 16 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford
Abbotsford, Victoria
Abbotsford is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra. At the 2006 Census, Abbotsford had a population of 4,327....
, saw the Conservatorium, by 1983, purchase accommodation at 45 York Street, Richmond
Richmond, Victoria
Richmond is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra...
, where it remained until its closure in 2008.
Change of name
Australia's famous diva, Dame Nellie Melba, associated herself closely with the Conservatorium, teaching here from 1915 until her death in 1931. Madame Melba prolonged her link with the Conservatorium after her death, through the provision of a generous bequest and it is her association with the Conservatorium which was responsible for the change of name of the institution, in 1956, to the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music.Association with Victoria University
Melba achieved recognition of its DiplomaDiploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
of Music through its affiliation in 1994 with Victoria University
Victoria University, Australia
Victoria University is a multi-sector tertiary institution based in Melbourne, Australia with 10 campuses.VU offers qualifications in higher education, vocational education , and short courses...
. Under this agreement, Melba delivered the University's Bachelor
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
of Music courses. Melba also offered private studio tuition through its Single Studies program, and short courses.
In 2002, Melba commenced delivery of two new degree programs at the University's Sunbury campus, in a cross-sectoral Music Department, sharing facilities with Victoria University TAFE's School of Further Education, Arts and Employment Services. These BMus programs at Sunbury provide undergraduate courses in music technology and contemporary music performance.
Melba continued to produce classical and contemporary music performers and other music professionals well equipped to pursue a variety of careers at local community, national and international level. Students spent more than half of their course time in performance and/or studio related activities under the guidance of a small specialist staff, dedicated to providing students with a supportive and professional environment in which to learn and develop as musicians.
Patron
The Patron of the Conservatorium was Dame Nellie Melba's granddaughter, Pamela, Lady Vestey.Notable alumni
- Gertrude JohnsonGertrude JohnsonGertrude Emily Johnson OBE was an Australian coloratura soprano and founder of the National Theatre in Melbourne.- Early life :...
, - sopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
and founder of the National TheatreNational Theatre, MelbourneThe National Theatre is a 783 seat Australian theatre and theatrical arts school located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, on the corner of Barkly and Carlisle Streets...
. - Harold BlairHarold BlairHarold Blair AM was an Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist.- Early life :Blair was born at the Cherbourg Aboriginal Reserve, 5 km from Murgon in Queensland. His mother was Esther Quinn, a teenage Aboriginal woman. His surname, Blair, came from the family that had "adopted" his mother...
- tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
and AboriginalIndigenous AustraliansIndigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
activist. - Louise Hanson-Dyer (nee Smith)Louise Hanson DyerLouise Berta Mosson Hanson-Dyer was an Australian-born music publisher and patron of the arts.She was born Louise Berta Mosson Smith in Melbourne, the daughter of Louis Smith, a medical practitioner and parliamentarian...
- pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and founder of music publishing company Editions de L'Oiseau Lyre.