French Horn Mega Day

We're inviting French Horn players of all ages and abilities to come experience a day at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music! This jam-packed day will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in masterclasses, rehearsals, panel discussions, meet with like-minded musicians and perform some incredible music with the Mass Horn Ensemble.

French Horn Mega Day 2025 will be a truly unforgettable experience, as we bring some of Australia’s best French Horn players together for an exciting series of events that will culminate in a showcase concert. 

Schedule

9.00AM - 9.30AM: Registrations Open
9.30AM - 10.45 AM: Group Warm Up, Beginner, Intermediate and Advance, led by Katy Woolley, Carla Blackwood and MSO Horns
10.45AM - 11.00AM: Morning Tea Break
11.00AM - 1.00PM: Masterclass with Katy Woolley
1.00PM - 2.00PM: Lunch Break
1.00PM - 1.20PM: 'Studying at the Con' Q+A session with Carla Blackwood
2.00PM - 3.00PM: 'Making the French Horn Australian' Presentation with Carla Blackwood
3.00PM - 4.00PM: Mass Horn Ensemble
4.00PM - 4.30PM: Afternoon Tea Break
4.30PM - 6.00PM: French Horn Showcase Concert

Group Warm Up
9.30AM - 10.45AM
Bring your instrument and join in the morning warm up session with Katy Woolley, Carla Blackwood and members of the MSO Horns as a great kick start to your Mega Day.

Masterclass with Katy Woolley
11.00AM - 1.00PM in Kenneth Myer Auditorium (Ground Floor)

Internationally renowned French Horn player, Katy Woolley, will work with selected students. All attendees will be welcome to attend and observe the masterclass. This is a great opportunity to watch Katy in action!

'Studying at the Con' Q+A session with Carla Blackwood
1.00PM -1.20PM

During the lunch break, attendees who are interested in tertiary study at the Conservatorium of Music can meet with Carla Blackwood and talk about the French Horn experience

Making the French Horn Australian Presentation with Carla Blackwood
2.00PM - 3.00PM in Hanson Dyer Hall (Level 3)

A history of the horn in Australia in the long nineteenth century and an overview of how the horn has featured Australian music. 

Mass Horn Ensemble
3.00PM - 4.00PM
All attendees are invited to come together to rehearse works with the Mass Horn Ensemble. Sheet music will be provided prior to the event and sent via email. All experience levels are welcome

French Horn Showcase Concert
4.30PM - 6.00PM, Hanson Dyer Hall

A showcase concert featuring the staff and students of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, and guest artists, including Mega Day Artist, Katy Woolley.

Event Information

Observer/Parent/Guardian Passes 

Observer passes are available to those who wish to attend the day without participating in the rehearsals and concert performance. 

Parent/Guardian passes are available for those who wish to attend the day alongside a participant aged 17 years and younger. Attendees aged 14 and under are required to have a parent/guardian or teacher attend with them.

PARKING

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine. More information. 

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit:  https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events.  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.  

• In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat.  

• Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.