Member News
2026 AUSTA VIC Reading Day – Review
AUSTA VIC Reading Day 2026 Our 2026 Reading Day was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and explore a wide range of repertoire for string players and ensembles. It was fantastic to see such strong attendance (including five double basses!), with teachers sharing ideas, discovering new works, and engaging in thoughtful discussion throughout the day. We would like to thank Xavier College and in particular James de Rozario for hosting us for the day. Our Reading Day would not be possible without the huge support of Fine Music. A comprehensive repertoire list from the day is included…
Austa NSW String Ensemble Reading Day 2026
AUSTA NSW STRING ENSEMBLE READING DAY 2026 Saturday March 28, 5-8pm Santa Sabina College, Strathfield https://www.trybooking.com/DJUML Click the above link as a composer or conductor/string player! Free for Austa members! There are days in the musical calendar that feel like appointments. …And then there are days that feel like ignition String Ensemble Reading Day 2026 is the latter. Hosted by Austa NSW, this is your invitation to step into a room humming with possibility — a hall full of string players, conductors, and composers ready to test ideas, shape repertoire, and listen deeply. Conductors Bring your curiosity. Observe new music…
AUSTA National Executive Committee 2025 AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Strings Association Limited (AUSTA) will be held on Wednesday November 19 at 8.00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Notice is hereby given that the 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held online via Google Meet on Wednesday November 19 at 8:00 pm AEDT. Members who would like to participate should contact Cara (AUSTA National Secretary) by email secretary@austa.asn.au for access to the relevant Google Meet links. The audited financial statements will be made available to members on the website prior to the meeting. Members who would like to nominate…
AUSTA National Conference 2025 Accommodation
AUSTA Golden Jubilee Conference Accommodation Options The heritage listed building of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, ‘The Con”, our home for the conference, is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens, near the Sydney Opera House on the fringes of CBD. It is an easy to access location with many accommodation options nearby. Conference Location: 1 Conservatorium Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 1. If you don’t mind a bit of travel: Sydney’s public transport system is user friendly and efficient. With the new Metro system trains arrive every 5-10 minutes. No need, for special tickets, simply tap on and off with your…
Book Purchase: Molto AUSTA
Molto austa: a historical overview of the Australian Strings Association Susan Pierotti The Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) has a diverse membership of teachers, students, players and makers of stringed instruments. AUSTA began with a few enthusiastic string teachers at a seminar in 1975. It rapidly developed thriving chapters in all states, delivered workshops and conferences, and organised tours by overseas guest artists and tours overseas by AUSTA members. It has survived fluctuating membership numbers, financial pressures and the opening and closing of state chapters. Its members have learnt new skills and adapted to modern technology and global virus outbreaks. It…
Position Available: National Accounts Manager
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER AUSTA is seeking a vibrant and suitably qualified National Accounts Manager to assist in the management of the association. The Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) is a professional association of teachers, players and makers of bowed string instruments which promotes excellence in all aspects of performance, teaching, conducting and string instrument making. AUSTA aims to inspire and support students, amateurs and professionals and also to facilitate communication at local, national and international levels. The AUSTA Accounts Manager coordinates and facilitates the management of National and Chapter finances as well as manages statutory requirements to ensure efficiency within the…
Stringendo 46-3 Barry Green Special Edition
Stringendo: Volume 46, Number 3 – Barry Green Special Edition Barry Green in Australia – Special Edition First stop – Sydney Barry in Brisbane Barry’s bass in Adelaide Barry does Western Australia Barry’s last stop – Victoria Reading Stringendo online Click on the four arrows on the bottom right of the screen to read a full screen version of Stringendo Click on the right side of the right page to turn the page. Double Click anywhere on the page to increase the size. Double Click again to return to default size. Click and hold the mouse, then move to the…
AUSTA Q Reading Day 2025
AUSTA Q Reading Day 2025 Call for Scores from local composers for the 2025 Reading Day When: Sunday 9 February 2025 The purpose of the Reading Day is to present works for school string orchestras. Composers should bear this in mind. Due to the overwhelming response of composers wishing to present works at the Reading Day, all composers who wish to have works considered for inclusion in the 2025 Reading Day will need to follow the following procedures: ALL COMPOSERS (established or new) should email Daniel Holloway by Thursday 2 January 2025 with a request to have their works included. Please copy the table below by copying…
AUSTA National Conference 2025
AUSTA Golden Jubilee National Conference 2025 SYDNEY 11 – 13 July 2025 Present at the AUSTA National Conference in 2025 at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and submit your conference presentation proposal here… AUSTA Golden Jubilee Conference, Sydney July 11-13 2025 Supporting teachers, advancing players, inspiring artistry, building connection AUSTA’s 2025 Golden Jubilee conference at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music celebrates the history and vision of a professional community that has transformed the life and work of string players, teachers and makers in Australia for half a century. Connecting Australian string players, industry, teachers, learners and parents AUSTA advances artistry,…
The solo double bass: pride or prejudice
The solo double bass: pride or prejudice written by Barry Green This article originally appeared in Stringendo Volume 46 Number 1 April 2024. All images provided by Barry Green. Barry Green is the AUSTA International Touring Artist in July and August 2024. Learn more about where you can see Barry here. Why is it that, in jazz or classical circles, the idea of listening to a bassist playing a solo ranks about as desirable as being forced to eat lima beans or spinach? I have no doubt that, in general, the public is more attracted to eating pizza, hamburger and…
ESTA UK Summer School
ESTA UK Summer School August 4 – 9 2024 ASTA members, AUSTA members, ESTA members and friends are warmly invited to attend the ESTA UK Summer School. Held at Dean Close School, in the historic English town of Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswolds. Presenters include world class string educators including Steve Bingham, Sarah Crooks, Chris Haigh, Glyn Oxley, Michelle Falcon, James Halsey and Dr Simon Jones. During the week, delegates will learn about klezmer, rock, jazz, technique, baroque style and much more! In addition to playing and learning, Henry George will be leading classes on Alexander Technique and…
EBM Coverlink Insurance Partnership
EBM CoverLink offers AUSTA members access to an exclusive insurance offer that applies whether your instrument is at home or in transit. Benefits include: instrument covered whether it is at home or in transit no claim discount (if no claims made during past 3 years) free climatic conditions cover (if instrument is under $100,000) reduced broker fee from $90.00 to $50.00 p/y support in the event of a claim. Read more about how to access this offer here (please note, you must be logged in to the website and a current member to access this offer.) For more information contact EBM CoverLink on 1300…
2023 AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Strings Association Limited (AUSTA) will be held on Thursday November 23 at 8.00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held online via Zoom on Thursday November 23 at 8:00 pm ADT. Members who would like to participate should contact Emily (AUSTA National Administrator) by email admin@austa.asn.au for access to the relevant Zoom links. The audited financial statements will be made available to members on the website prior to the meeting. Members who would like to nominate a proxy can use the form…
Advertising Manager Appointment
AUSTA is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Advertising Manager, Louise King. Louise is a well-known cellist who now resides at the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Her Cello Dreaming workshops and her sublime cello playing are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her enthusiasm for music and all things AUSTA. Louise brings with her a wealth of skills in marketing, branding and string playing, along with a sparkling energy that will be a huge asset to our already amazing AUSTA team. We welcome Louise to the AUSTA National staff and we are very…
Advertising Policy
Advertising Policy (as of December 2022) Download the Advertising Policy HERE Social Media and advertising are integral to the development and promotion of AUSTA. Advertising opportunities are available in the following categories: Stringendo – click for more information Email advertising (via Mailchimp) to our membership of over 900 string players, teachers and industry professionals Social Media (Facebook) Email advertising (via MailChimp) AUSTA Members email advertising: $55 per chapter, with a total cap of $220, plus GST. For events and services only (not products or retail services). job advertisements, summer schools, concerts, masterclasses etc. Schools will need to be a member…