AUSTA TAS – 2024 Update

Join us for a fun year ahead! The AUSTA TAS committee will host a variety of events and initiatives for young students, adults, and professional players and teachers. Please SAVE THESE DATES and GET IN TOUCH! Reach us by emailing austatasmania@gmail.com

Adult Chamber Music Weekend in Oatlands

Recommended for advanced players, university students, and string enthusiasts of approximately AMEB Grade 2 and above.

SUNDAY 3 March October, 10.00 AM – 3.00 PM

RSVP 25 February: name, instrument, group (if applicable), approximate level (if applicable) to austatasmania@gmail.com

Meet at the Oatlands Supreme Court House; 7 Campbell St, Oatlands 7120.

Come to the historic town of Oatlands (about 1.5 hours from Launceston and just over an hour from Hobart) with an already formed string ensemble or we’ll sort one for you! Under expert guidance from our guest tutors from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, you will prepare works (or movements) for an afternoon ‘Jamboree’ in the Supreme Court House. The AUSTA TAS team will make sure that ensembles and repertoire are all organised, and cups of tea are plentiful!

Youth Chamber Music Day

Recommended for string students from approximately AMEB Grade 1 to 8 + 

SUNDAY 2 June, 10.00 AM – 2.30 PM

Dudley Clark Music Building, The Hutchins School. Nelson Road, Sandy Bay 7005.

RSVP 10 May: Name, instrument, teacher/contact, approximate grade level to: austatasmania@gmail.com

Discover wonderful chamber music with an already formed string ensemble or we’ll organise one for you! Under expert guidance from our professional teachers and guest tutors from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, you will prepare works (or movements) for an afternoon concert. The AUSTA TAS team will help organise repertoire and ensembles with your teacher. PLACES ARE LIMITED!

SAVE THE DATE! Workshops with International Guest Artist: Barry Green

Note: The events and venues are still to be confirmed. We anticipate that there will be a day event held at a local school in Hobart, and an evening event for the professional development of playing and teaching. 

WEDNESDAY 24 July: day event and evening event

ABOUT: Barry Green is renowned for his publication The Inner Game of Music – a journey of how to think about and approach performing and practice. There are extremely valuable ideas and advice on teaching too. Barry was the Principal Bassist for the Cincinnati Symphony, and a touring soloist, so we feel very spoilt for choice! The AUSTA TAS committee are collaborating with the AUSTA National personnel and Barry to work out the best possible events to serve our string community. Please keep an eye out for news, or if you have any ideas – please let us know!

Email for updates: austatasmania@gmail.com

AMEB Scales Bootcamp!

SUNDAY 11 AUGUST, 10.00 AM – 12.00 noon

RSVP 4 AUGUST: name, instrument, AMEB grade to austatasmania@gmail.com

Dudley Clark Music Building, The Hutchins School. 71 Nelson Road, Sandy Bay 7005.

Guest tutors and professional teachers from AUSTA TAS team will guide AMEB string candidates through their scales and arpeggios required for the upcoming exams. Students will get a chance to play through the scales in a group setting and receive advice on how to practice effectively at home, how to play from memory and how to play with confidence. This event usually has guest tutors and AMEB examiners.

String Performers’ Festival 

SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER (time TBC)

RSVP 31 AUGUST: austatasmania@gmail.com

Clarence Uniting Church. York Street, Bellerive.

String students and amateur players are invited to perform at our annual String Performers’ Festival, which includes concerts for youth players and adult players. The event also includes a feature performance by our AMEB Award Winners, and cups of tea served with plenty of petite delights.

String Pedagogy Workshops – Expression of Interest!

OCTOBER (date/time TBC)

Professional string teachers and guest artists will present workshops and direct discussions on teaching individual lessons, groups, and combined string classes. While string teachers are few in Tasmania, this is a great opportunity for us to support each other, share our strengths, and address issues that challenge us. Please email an ‘expresssion of interest’ to austatasmania@gmail.com

Hopefully, we will have a well-attended event that is enjoyable, informative, and supports everyone in our combined efforts to improve the quality of string education in Tasmania.

AUSTA-AMEB Awards for Outstanding String Playing

AMEB String candidates in Tasmania will have the chance to win an award for outstanding playing in their exams. In 2024, AUSTA will award candidates who achieve outstanding results in Level 1, Level 2, and Diploma categories. The AMEB examiners will decide the recipients, and will be contacted through AMEB Tasmania.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The AMEB Most Outstanding String Candidate for 2023 is Clayton Low (violin, 2nd grade).

Clayton was awarded the 2023 AUSTA Tasmania Prize for the most outstanding Candidate in strings, having received an A+ in his Grade 2 Comprehensive Violin exam. Examiner Kate Calwell commented that Clayton “presented a beautifully prepared and confidently presented exam, shaping his melodies in a very musical way, and producing a good tone quality.” Clayton will be invited to perform at our 2024 AUSTA TASMANIA String Performers Festival, where he will receive his award for recognition.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The AMEB Most Outstanding String Candidate for 2022 is Samuel Hooper (violin, 8th grade).

Samuel was awarded the 2022 AUSTA Tasmania Prize for the most outstanding Candidate in strings, having received an A+ in his Grade 8 Violin exam. Examiner Jo St Leon commented that Samuel was “a remarkably accomplished and mature musician, who’s playing never fails to delight.” Samuel performed at our 2023 AUSTA TASMANIA String Performers Festival, where he received his trophy recognising this achievement.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The AMEB Most Outstanding String Candidate for 2021 is Annabelle Dan-Marica (violin, 6th grade).

Annabelle received an ‘A+’ in her Violin (Comprehensive) Grade 6 Exam. Examiner, Jo St Leon, nominated Annabelle saying that “this was a Grade 6 Exam that I would buy a ticket to go and hear.” Jo’s report included further glowing praise saying that she “loved loved loved this exam. Bravo on some really outstanding memory, and a lovely rapport with your pianist. Your technical work was impeccable and this was an altogether outstanding exam.” Annabelle will be invited to perform at one of our 2022 AUSTA TASMANIA events, where she will receive her AUSTA award.