AUSTA Q Report – National Executive Annual General Meeting 26/11/20

Looking back, the events of 2020 have certainly thrown us all into a spin but here in Queensland AUSTA is feeling very fortunate to have been able to run a total of six worthwhile events this year.  Five of these events have been run online and it has turned out that Zoom has served us well.  The recent lifting of restrictions here in Queensland enabling all venues to run at full capacity is, however, a huge relief.  AUSTA Q is hopeful that we will be able to return to live events very soon.  That said, however, we have gained many insights via the online experience and even discovered some benefits.  We will be looking to incorporate some of these benefits and insights into future events regardless of whether they run online or live.

Since our last report, AUSTA Q has run an International Reading Day via Zoom.  We were delighted to have 29 Queensland members attend and we are grateful to our four committee members who presented on the day.  Daniel Holloway, Raquel Bastos, Theo Kotzas and David Maddick all gave very informative and detailed presentations on their approach to selecting string orchestra repertoire in addition to highlighting some worthy new works currently available from the international publishing companies.

As the year winds up, we would like thank and congratulate David Sue Yek who has edited the AUSTA Q Newsletter over the past four years.  David has worked tirelessly to collate three very informative newsletters each year.  The quality of these publications is a credit to his work and dedication.  We are delighted that as David steps aside from his position as Newsletter Editor he will continue to serve on the committee as the Maryborough Regional Representative.

AUSTA Q wishes all members all the very best for a safe and happy summer break.

Melissa Dineen

AUSTA Q President

January 2020 Report

2019 ended on a very sad note for all AUSTA with the loss of Patron John Curro AM MBE.  We remember him, his legacy and tremendous contribution to String playing and teaching in this country and abroad.  We send our condolences and well wishes to wife Carmel and children Monica, Sarah, Dan, Johnny and Dave.

2020 will see a new Qld president and committee welcomed at our AGM and Reading Day 9 February.  We will welcome long time member and AUSTA State Award (Qld) recipient Melissa Dineen to the helm.  Melissa is the current Qld Secretary.

Qld has a busy year ahead with the usual events plus a couple of special, one-off weekends.

We begin with the Reading Day and AGM in February, moving to the Mini-Conference in April, Barry Green in May, ASQ in July, AUSTA-Q Strings Festival in August, Professional Weekend in September and International Reading Day in October.

Our big push this year will be to include FNQ in our events and to support them where we can.

We are thrilled to be offering our members one-off events like the national tour by Barry Green.  Thanks to AUSTA (national) for facilitating this exciting visit.

AUSTA-Q is collaborating with the Australian String Quartet in early July, offering students a weekend of Chamber Music playing and performing.  Numbers will be limited.  The event will have supervised rehearsals and culminate in a concert.  This is the first time we have offered an event like this over a weekend.

We continue to be committed to keeping our events reasonably priced, therefore encouraging greater attendance.

We are all looking very excited to 2020.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you (esp Gina and Karen) for your support over my tenure as Qld President.  I have very much enjoyed your friendship and working with you.  I would like to wish James deRozario all the best as National President.

All the best for 2020!

Regards

Theo Kotzas

26/01/2020