Goulburn and its surrounding districts are home to a vibrant arts and music community, and play host to an equally exciting variety of artistic and musical endeavours. Some of these are well known and regularly attended, including Lieder Theatre productions and the Goulburn Eisteddfod. There are students young and old at “The Con” (formerly the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium, now known as Hume Conservatorium), and even major events such as the Australian Blues Music Festival continue to be held annually.

But there are quite a range of lesser known music-related activities that have occurred in and around the Goulburn districts in the first part of the 21st century. The fascinating evidence of these has been revealed in investigations into the Library’s Vertical Files. In showcasing some of the highlights of this melodic delve in the city’s recent past, we’ve discovered classical, sacred, Big Band, jazz, country, popular, opera and kid’s music, conducted across many venues, both large and small.

Festivals and Fun

Prior to the new millennium, the Heritage, Jazz and Roses Festival was regularly held to coincide with Goulburn Day, 14th March. This festival continued in the format into the 21st century. In 2002, “Sounds in High Places” was presented as a series of musical features, in three heritage buildings across Goulburn. Demonstrations of bell ringing peeled across the city from St Saviour’s Cathedral Tower; the recently renovated Hill organ in St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral was featured in organ demonstrations; and visitors were also invited to St Peter and Paul’s and Goulburn Court House, to compare their acoustics via a trombone fanfare played at both venues.

In 2007, the 62nd Australian Jazz Convention celebrated with a diverse program across a variety of venues during the Christmas period 25-31 December. Beginning with Christmas Dinner at the Southern Star Inn Restaurant, their program included an Auburn Street parade followed by a performance in Belmore Park Rotunda; an Original Tunes Competition; also a Gospel Service. Their tuneful program concluded with a New Year’s Eve Party at the Goulburn Soldier’s Club.

Impressive Performers: Diverse Venues

At the start of the new millennium, Musica Viva Australia presented “Ménage à Trois”, a program of song from Australia, France, Germany, England and Scotland by artists Romola Tyrrell (soprano), David Hamilton (tenor) and David Bollard (piano) at Goulburn High School. Later, Goulburn High enjoyed the company of Goulburn Musical Society for their performances of “Annie” and “The Wizard of Oz”.

Goulburn Youth Council, with the assistance of a wide range of sponsors, held Pool Grind 2003 at the Goulburn Pool; Cruel Addition concert in Belmore Park to celebrate Youth Week; and their Winter Concert at the Goulburn RSL Club.

The Goulburn Regional Art Gallery has hosted many musical activities, including the Spring Feast of Fine Food & Music in November 2000 which featured a lavish 4-course meal, and entertainment with classical, jazz and Big Band music by Goulburn’s Conservatorium tutors. In October 2002 the Goulburn Eisteddfod Society were at the same venue for a performance by Alexei Volodin. The impressive resume for this talented Russian pianist notes that his musical studies began at age nine, and during the early parts of his career, he had already performed with some of the world’s best orchestras across the globe, in locations as far-flung as Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Cairo, Oslo and Sydney.

2004 brought popular entertainer Brian Letton to the Railway Bowling Club for a concert, and 2008 saw The Wiggles entertain Goulburn’s littlies at Trinity College’s Great Hall. Wiggles Jeff, Anthony, Murray and Sam were joined by Dorothy the Dinosaur and the usual cast: Jeff only fell asleep twice, so their Goulburn audience must have been rather rowdy! Goulburn’s Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Society presented “50 Years of Musical Comedy” at the Goulburn Soldiers Club.

As part of Opera Australia’s OzOpera Australian tour, their new version of Verdi’s Rigoletto was performed in St Saviour’s Cathedral. Also to be experienced in this magnificent location was the Sydney Symphony Brass Ensemble. St Saviour’s nearby Hall has also hosted performances, including concerts of classical works by the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Ensemble and the Canberra Youth Orchestra during 2006 which was presented by the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium.

Throughout the period, performances were held in regional venues also. “Concertante” was part of a Concert Series presented by The Marulan Region Community Association at Marulan Memorial Hall. A Chamber Concert of works by the Southern Highlands String Quartet found an outlet for their passion in Bundanoon Hall and the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery.

Goulburn's Most Notable Musical Director

Paul Paviour OAM FRCO has not only been a perennial favourite for planning and presenting extravagant musical events, he is also Goulburn’s most respected musician and composer. Best known for his contribution to the music of the Anglican Church, he has also composed and adapted hundreds of works in numerous publications.

As Festival Director, Paul Paviour conducted the Southern Tablelands Festival of Australian Music and Arts from early in the new Century, with the sixth festival held in 2007. A wide variety of associated events were advertised in their program brochures, in venues right across the region. Paul Paviour also directed many Christmas concerts and events, including “Carols at Twilight” held in Goulburn Court House. Click here to listen to Dr Paviour’s oral history interview.

Music Classes, Competitions, and Socials

The Goulburn Country Music Association advertised its monthly music socials at the Goulburn Scout Hall during the early 2000s. With proceeds going to local charities, they supported local and visiting artists, and young talent who entertained at those gatherings.

Goulburn and surrounds have been participating in and enjoying musical activities for many years, and we're sure our musical prowess will continue long into the 21st Century.

Image Sources

Goulburn Mulwaree Library's Vertical Files collection contains a wide range of pamphlets, posters, programs, and other ephemera related to Goulburn's history, prominent families, businesses, buildings and properties, and events. The images above can be found in the following Vertical Files:

• Goulburn Regional Conservatorium
• Goulburn Eisteddfod
• Festivals: Goulburn Heritage
• Lieder Theatre Company
• Music
• Southern Tablelands Festival of Australian Music and Arts
• Stained Glass

These are just some examples from our Vertical Files. For more information on Goulburn’s arts and music communities, visit the Library and explore our Local Studies collections, including archives, photographs, posters, books, pamphlets and programs.