Dearest Gentle Reader,
Welcome to the most dazzling event of the year: the long-awaited Con Ball. Hosted in the Heritage Ballroom at Sydney’s prestigious Fullerton Hotel, this ball was a musical dream come true. The theme? Planetarium: a celestial celebration of the stars and planets. The guests? The pinnacle of glamour. And the atmosphere? Absolutely cosmic.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, famously known as “The Con,” is the University of Sydney’s prestigious music school. At its heart is the Conservatorium Students’ Association (CSA), the sole student organisation representing the Con community.
After being led astray to the wrong level (dodgy invitation), we made it to the top level. Walking down the hallway to the ballroom, we felt like models on the red carpet. Two glamorous students greeted us at the entrance, ushering us into an intimate space complete with a photobooth, elegant canapes and lively chatter. Adjacent to this ‘chilled out’ area lay the buzzing dance floor.
The dance floor was spacious and vibrant, with a red glow emanating from its surface and blue light streaming through the windows, creating a celestial ambiance. It set the perfect stage for a night of dancing (and tripping) in lengthy ballgowns and sipping endless complimentary wine and beer.
The entire ball was a spectacle, including dinner. Guests lined up to watch the chef swiftly slice the steak into thin slivers before serving them a full, delicious meal. Around the room were elegant cold canapes of salmon, ham and caprese, either wrapped in seaweed or served on bread. Yum!
The Planetarium Quartet, a talented ensemble of talented Con students, opened the night with captivating performances of modern pop hits like Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic,’ reimagined with smooth classical violins and cellos in true Bridgerton style.
The all-girl group Rippled Sun brought the event to a spectacular close with their electrifying sound and rockstar aura. The crowd erupted in chants for an encore, and they delivered, ending the evening on a (literal) high note.
The renowned CSA secretary Alexander Poirier, alongside the newly appointed President Theresa Xia, delivered a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude to the Con community and sharing an optimistic vision for its future. They introduced new roles, noting they were “on the lookout for a new treasurer” (if you’re interested, give the CSA a call). Together, they celebrated “the diversity of the Con, with so many different people bringing so many unique skills.” Poirier wrapped up with “Please don’t break anything…the bond is on my personal Amex.” Nice.
Following a heartfelt award show presented by the hilarious Jessica Smith (2025 SRC Intercampus officer) and Theresa Xiao, the night ended with dancing until our feet hurt, and in true musical student fashion, the crowd calling out for “one last song.”
