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Conservatorium Facilities

The Elder Conservatorium of Music is located in two key positions within the beautiful North Terrace Campus of the University of Adelaide. The historic focus is provided by Elder Hall (housing the Elder Conservatorium), built in 1898-1900.

The Conservatorium also has a substantial amount of accommodation and facilities on the west of the North Terrace campus. The elegant Hartley building on Kintore Avenue overlooks the Governor's residence and houses the administration office, the Elder Music Library, and the Australian String Quartet.

The Madley building was completely reconfigured in 2002-2003 in order to provide purpose-built, sound-proofed rehearsal and teaching studios, with a focus on jazz and percussion. The Madley Rehearsal Studio, on the ground floor facing in towards Pfitzner Court, is a double-height venue with sprung wooden floor, and is suitable for large ensembles.

The Schulz building has twelve floors and provides spectacular panoramic views of the Central Business District (to the South), and the river Torrens, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Parklands (to the North). The Elder Conservatorium of Music occupies floors 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5 and 4 of the Schulz building.

In 2005 the new facilities of the Elder Conservatorium of Music were officially opened by the Hon. Mike Rann, M.P., Premier of South Australia.  This event marked the conclusion of a three-year rebuilding and refurbishment project, jointly funded - to the tune of over 8 million dollars - by the Commonwealth Government, the State Government, and the University of Adelaide.  The project has resulted in the following enhancement of specialist facilities for the education and training of musicians:

• Major upgrade of the Elder Music Library, now one of the finest in Australia
• Creation of a new double-height orchestral rehearsal studio (Madley)
• Creation of an additional 30 acousticaly treated teaching/rehearsal studios
• Creation of a new suite of Percussion studios, considered to be the finest in Australia
• Creation of a new acoustically sealed drum studio (Madley)
• Improved access for and to the Scott Theatre (Schulz)
• Creation of a landscaped courtyard for the music precinct
• A new home for the Australian String Quartet, the Conservatorium's internationally acclaimed quartet-in-residence (Hartley building, north wing)
• An Early Keyboard Studio (Hartley, south wing)
• Additional music technology studios for the Electronic Music Unit (EMU)
• Additional lecture and class rooms for music in the Schulz building
• Extensive soundproofing improvements throughout the Conservatorium
• Installation of many acoustic double doors, with security viewing panels
• Improvements to the stage facilities in Elder Hall
• Refurbishment of the Elder Conservatorium teaching studios (beneath Elder Hall), in keeping with the heritage character of this historic, landmark building
• Refurbishment of the historic and elegant Hartley building on Kintore Avenue
• Provision of special security lockers for students' musical instruments
• Provision of several hundred industry-standard, adjustable ergonomic orchestra chairs
• Provision of new professional quality music stands throughout the Conservatorium
• Installation of air-conditioning to all areas of the historic Hartley building, including the Elder Music Library
• Upgrade of air-conditioning and other services to those levels of the Schulz building used for musical activities (levels 11,10,9,8,7,5,4,3)
• Creation of a new administration hub in the Hartley building
• All buildings in the music complex upraded to meet current standards and codes for Occupational Health and Safety, and for Disability Access