AUSTA Victoria supports

2025 Cello Extravaganza!

In conjunction with Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, AUSTA is pleased to support the 2025 Cello Extravaganza!

Sunday,30th March 2025

9.45am – registration

10am – 12noon – Cello Extravaganza!

To participate, please fill in the form HERE.

VENUE:
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Keilor East Campus
Corner of Keilor & Rachelle Roads
Keilor East VIC 3033

Enquiries: jamesderozario@hotmail.com

Bookings open till 14 March 2025

AUSTA Victoria presents

2025 String Performers Festival

We are very excited to be presenting our eleventh String Performers Festival, a welcoming, non-competitive performance opportunity for students. String students of all levels are welcome and all performers will receive written feedback and a medallion. Family and friends will make up the audience for each session.

Sunday,30th March 2025

9am – 12.30pm

There will be three sessions on the day to choose from.  A Festival Accompanist will be available for Preliminary – Grade 4 pieces on the day.

• • • • Session One:               9.00 – 10.00am   Festival Accompanist Available
      • Session Two:              10.00 – 11.00am  Festival Accompanist Available
      • Session Three:            11.00– 12.30pm  Festival Accompanist Available

Cost: $32.50 per performer / $17.50 per additional family performer.

Senior players are always welcome to perform at the Festival, however the day tends towards beginner and middle level players.

All performers are welcome to bring lots of family and friends to support them on the day. Performance numbers are limited, so book quickly!

VENUE:
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Keilor East Campus
Corner of Keilor & Rachelle Roads
Keilor East VIC 3033

Enquiries: jamesderozario@hotmail.com

Bookings open 1st February 2025: CLICK HERE TO BOOK or use the QR Code below.

2025 Melbourne String Orchestra Festival

Eltham High School: Sunday 18th May 2025

12:15pm – Registration

1:00pm – Festival String Orchestra Rehearsal

2:30pm Afternoon Tea

3:00pm Festival Concert

4:00pm Finish

Festival Piece: DARK MATTER by Andrew Aronowicz

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Request a registration form at austavicpresident@outlook.com

Eltham High School

30 – 60 Withers Way

Eltham VIC 3095

The Paul McDermott Scholarship
Each year, young Victorian violinists are invited to apply for the prestigious Paul McDermott Scholarship—but few know the remarkable story behind the man whose name it bears.

Established in 1980 by an anonymous local music lover and benefactor, the scholarship honours Paul McDermott, a beloved local violinist, conductor, and champion of music education. McDermott served as the chief conductor of the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1973 and was the founder and president of the Australian Musicians’ Guild. Under his leadership, the Guild flourished, presenting regular concerts and launching Music in the Round, a celebrated weekend-long festival held at historic venues such as Werribee Mansion and the Abbotsford Convent. This event became a highlight in Melbourne’s cultural calendar from 1972 until McDermott’s passing in 1985, and served as a unique platform for scholarship recipients to perform alongside leading Australian and international chamber musicians.

After McDermott’s death, and the eventual closure of the Guild in 1996, the scholarship was entrusted to AUSTA VIC, who proudly continue its legacy. Though Music in the Round ended, its spirit has been revived in recent years through projects by Jeff Crellin and Chris Howlett.

Today, the Paul McDermott Scholarship remains a significant accolade in the Victorian string community—a $1500 award that supports the further study of a promising young violinist under the age of 15. The recipient also receives the opportunity to perform at an AUSTA VIC event, adding a prestigious milestone to their musical journey and honouring the vision of a man who gave so much to Australian music.

For more information, please contact Andrew Schellhorn: andrew.schellhorn@gmail.com

To apply for audition, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/knfX7ok4rU4ihkkq8

Bibliography: Cooke, Max. The Australian Musicians’ Guild [online]. Australian Journal of Music Education, No. 9, Oct 1971: 47-48.

We are excited to announce the AUSTA VIC Spring Pedagogy Series!

This September, join us online for three inspiring sessions led by outstanding educators from across the East Coast.

• Lachlan Dent – Making Young Ensembles Sound Great!
  Thursday 18 September, 7:00 pm
  Practical strategies for tone development, rhythm, intonation, and repertoire.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFHUS

• Stephen Chin – The Art of Scales
  Monday 22 September, 6:30 pm
  A hands-on exploration of how scales can nurture technique, musicianship, and expression.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFIBN

• Bernardo Alviz – All Things Double Bass
  Wednesday 24 September, 7:00 pm
  A deep-dive into repertoire, posture, technique, and everything double bass.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFIBO

Stay at home, recharge, and connect with colleagues while gaining practical tools to energise your teaching.

Come join us for our Annual AUSTA Vic Reading Day and AGM – online!

Explore fresh repertoire for string ensembles.

Join us for AUSTA VIC’s annual String Reading Day, proudly supported by Fine Music.

An energising afternoon where teachers, conductors, and ensemble directors come together to explore new and exciting works for string orchestra.

We will read through a wide range of international and Australian compositions, from emerging voices to established favourites, with a special spotlight on the creativity of our local Victorian composers. All selected works have strong pedagogical value, offer accessible technical challenges, and are suitable for ensembles across primary, secondary, and community levels.

Reading Day is a practical, hands-on way to refresh your repertoire list, connect with colleagues, discover new music your students will love, and support the ongoing growth of string education.

We would love to see you there!

Date: Sunday 8th February

Time: 1 – 4:30pm (including AGM)

Can’t make it – join us online: https://www.trybooking.com/DHXMF

Come join us for our Annual AUSTA Vic Reading Day and AGM!

Explore fresh repertoire for string ensembles.

Join us for AUSTA VIC’s annual String Reading Day, proudly supported by Fine Music.

An energising afternoon where teachers, conductors, and ensemble directors come together to explore new and exciting works for string orchestra.

We will read through a wide range of international and Australian compositions, from emerging voices to established favourites, with a special spotlight on the creativity of our local Victorian composers. All selected works have strong pedagogical value, offer accessible technical challenges, and are suitable for ensembles across primary, secondary, and community levels.

Reading Day is a practical, hands-on way to refresh your repertoire list, connect with colleagues, discover new music your students will love, and support the ongoing growth of string education.

We would love to see you there!

Date: Sunday 8th February

Time: 1 – 4:30pm (including AGM)

Venue: Xavier College Senior School – EHPAC

Attend in person: https://www.trybooking.com/DHXGK 

Can’t make it – join us online: https://www.trybooking.com/DHXMF