About Us
We bring music education to public schools and create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play music, learn together and connect through music-making.
We work with primary and secondary schools to develop concert band programs and creative classroom music experiences.
We run regular weekly afternoon/evening rehearsals and performance opportunities for musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds. Our ensembles perform at Illawarra community events, local markets, and music festivals.
Partners
Friends of Wollongong Community Music (FoWCM)
An incorporated non-profit association that raises funds to support community music-making across the Illawarra. Since forming in 2021, FoWCM has helped establish new ensembles, purchased equipment, supported Honk! Oz Festival events, and funded performances by local music groups throughout the region.
HONK! Oz Street Music Festival
a free, annual, volunteer-run celebration of alternative community bands and street music in Wollongong. WCM facilitates Kids HONK! Up to 80 school band students from around the region come together to workshop and perform as part of the 3 day Festival
People
DAVID ROONEY
Co-director / Music Educator
David brings over 30 years of expertise in music education and community band development across the Illawarra. He studied at The Canberra School of Music and University of Canberra for a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Music) and has a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Columbia University, NY. He is former Head of Bands at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (2014–2026), and has conducted the Keiraville Public School Bands since 2008.
JENN COOK
Co-director / Music Educator
Jenn is a multi-instrumentalist, conductor, and music teacher dedicated to making music accessible and joyful for musicians at every stage of their journey. She was a core team member at Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (2015–2026), working across Early Childhood (CHIME), Concert Band, and the award winning In-Schools Program. She currently conducts bands and teaches music at Thirroul Public, Austinmer Public, Keiraville Public, and Figtree High School. Jenn has a B.Ed (University of Wollongong), Diploma of Music Skills (UNE), Cert IV in Fashion Design.