VCE String Masterclass, August 22

Presenter: Elizabeth Sellars

The VCE String Masterclass is now open for booking. Our string pedagogue for 2021 is Elizabeth Sellars. This masterclass is for students in Years 11 and 12 preparing for performance examinations. String students and string chamber groups are invited to apply. Year 11 IB performers are also welcome. Performers will have a minimum of 20 minutes each and more than one work may be presented. Students need to bring their own accompanist for works with piano. Performers must register with Janet Fernandes to receive a Trybooking link for this event. (See details below.)

VCE String Masterclass

Date: Sunday, August 22

Time: 2-4pm

Venue: Online

Fees: $40 per performer, one family member free. Registration is only required for performers.

Observers: Due to current COVID lockdown restrictions, this has now become a non-public event online.

Registrations and enquiries:

Janet Fernandes austavicvcestringmasterclass@gmail.com

Australian-born violinist Dr Elizabeth Sellars has enjoyed a distinguished career as both performer and teacher in Australia and abroad. Elizabeth is a prize-winning graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where she studied with David Takeno (violin) and the Takacs String Quartets (chamber music). Further significant influences included Sandor Vegh and Yehudi Menuhin with whom Elizabeth worked at Prussia Cove in Cornwall and at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Gstaad. During her time in London, Elizabeth was a winner of the inaugural John Tunnell Trust and the Royal Overseas League Ensemble Prize and Miller Trophy. As a soloist and chamber musician, she toured extensively in the UK, broadcast for the BBC, and performed throughout Europe and Asia with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Now resident in Australia, Elizabeth has appeared as guest Concertmaster and Principal Violin with the Tasmanian and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, and Australian Chamber Orchestra. As a sought-after chamber musician, she has appeared for Musica Viva and has collaborated with Ensemble Liaison, Wilma and Friends, Flinders Quartet and Elision Ensembles. Her performances have been published by Move, Naxos, ABC Classics, Toccata Classics and Tzadik and her CD The Messiaen Nexus (with Kenji Fujimura) won the 2014 Limelight Chamber Music Recording of the Year. Her most recent CD contributes the first complete recording of Pinto’s sonatas. Elizabeth continues to perform on radio and in festivals worldwide and is a founding member of Sutherland Trio with cellist Molly Kadarauch and pianist Caroline Almonte.

After sixteen years as Lecturer in Violin at Monash University, Elizabeth now teaches privately and at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. She is currently recording Australian horn trios with Quercus and plays on a Eugenio Degani violin made in Veneto in 1876.

Encore Event! Presented by AUSTA WA via ZOOM on Sunday July 4 to over 150 viewers, a new AUSTA Zoom record!

A recording will be made available to view from August 14 – 23, please register via the link below. Discounted registration applies for AUSTA members.

BOOK HERE: https://www.trybooking.com/BSWYK  

Bookings close AUGUST 12

PDF poster available:

(Please email WA President Helen Tuckey through link on WA Committee page.)

About “Fundamentals of Bowing: Resonance and Movement”

Sound is arguably the defining feature of string playing. A beautiful sound is reliant upon optimal resonance while skilful bow strokes create music character. This discussion looks at the physics of sound production and the physical movements needed to develop supple bow technique. 

Biography: Dr Robin Wilson is an internationally regarded pedagogue and Head of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. A faculty member of the Keshet Eilon International String Mastercourse in Israel and the Valdres Festival in Norway he has also held appointments at the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland. Robin regularly gives masterclasses in Australasia, Asia, Israel, the UK and the USA and his students are major prize-winners of international competitions, hold principal positions and regularly perform as soloists with orchestras in Australia and overseas. In 2018 he received a National Award from the Australian String Teachers Association for outstanding services to the string community in Australia.

Robin has performed at leading venues and festivals throughout Australia, USA and the UK and has recorded solo and chamber music for Decca, ABC Classics, Vexations840 and VDE-Gallo. A member of Ironwood and the Australian Octet, he is a former leader of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as guest violinist with many leading Australian ensembles. Holding a PhD from the University of Sydney, Robin’s research into the historically informed performance of Brahms’s music was awarded the prestigious 2014 Geiringer Prize from the American Brahms Society and he has presented lectures and recitals at major international conferences and institutions including Stanford and Yale Universities, City University of New York, University of Colorado, Leeds University, Royal College of Music London and the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester.

Robin studied in Sydney with Alice Waten and Janet Davies and at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He plays on a violin made by the Gagliano family in Naples in 1784.

Robin Wilson (Violin) and Howard Penny (Cello) will again be joining us for this wonderful weekend of unmissable workshops. Robin and Howard will expand your knowledge and understanding of complex string playing techniques beyond what you thought was possible.

Dates

Saturday, 18 September –  Sunday, 19 September
Full Schedule Below

Registration closes Wednesday 15th September 2021

Location

Online via Zoom
(Zoom Link will be emailed to ticketholders on the Friday 17th September)

Presenters:

Dr Robin Wilson

Internationally regarded pedagogue, Dr Robin Wilson is Resident Faculty of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne, and also teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2019 he will also serve of the faculties of the Valdres Festival in Norway and the Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourse in Israel. His students are the winners of many national and international competitions, including the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition. In 2018 he was honoured with a National Award from the Australian String Teachers Association for outstanding services to string teaching in Australia.

Robin has performed widely throughout Australasia, the USA and the UK. Solo and chamber recordings appear on Decca, ABC Classics, Ode, Vexations840 and VDE-Gallo. He is a member of the acclaimed ensemble Ironwood and the Australian Octet, is former leader of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as guest violinist with many leading Australian ensembles.

Robin’s research was awarded the prestigious 2014 Geiringer Prize from the American Brahms Society. He has presented lectures at leading universities throughout the USA and the UK and given masterclasses throughout Australasia, Singapore, the UK and the USA. He studied with Alice Waten and Janet Davies in Sydney and at the New England Conservatory of Music, USA. He plays a violin by the Gagliano family, made in Naples in 1784.

Howard Penny

Cellist Howard Penny is Head of Strings at Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne (ANAM). He is an internationally renowned soloist, ensemble member, principal, teacher, lecturer, co-director and festival founder. Based in Europe, Howard has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe for 30 years.

Schedule:

Saturday 18th September:

10:00am – 11:30am “Teaching and Developing Vibrato” presentation with Dr Robin Wilson 

12.00pm – 1:30pm Masterclass with Dr Robin Wilson

Sunday 19th September:

10:00am – 11:30am “Dancing with Bach: A Guide to Life After the Preludes in the Cello Suites” presentation with Howard Penny

12.00pm – 1:30pm Masterclass with Howard Penny

Session times are quoted in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Audition submissions for masterclasses have now closed. Thank you for sending your audition videos. They are being co-ordinated by the AUSTA-Q committee and successful applicants will be notified via email.

Important information for attendees

If you are unable to attend the Zoom sessions at the scheduled times, it will be possible to purchase tickets to view the videos soon after the event.  Please look out for a newsflash in coming weeks with details.

Ticket Prices:

Single Session Price
$15 for AUSTA members
$30 for non-members
Four Session Pass
$50 for AUSTA members
$95 for non-members
$20 for School-aged Student Rush tickets to be released on 15th September. Limited Availability

Book online here

How are we all coping during lock down? Although we do not have much happening physically, you are more than welcome to join whatever virtual events AUSTA has available.

Having said that, we will be having a virtual meet up next month on September 12th at 11am just to see how you are going. This would be a place where you would be able to release any frustrations or share any inspiring stories especially during this difficult time.

Here is the Zoom meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5367175818

Stay safe, and remember, we’re here to support you anyway we can. Let us know if there’s any way we can help and always hope for the best.
Definitely looking forward to catching up virtually.

The Austa NSW Committee

AUSTA VIC Presents Rachael Beesley on Style and “Good Taste”

Learn about the notion of style and guidelines for
achieving “good taste” with specialised knowledge
and skills required for string players in the 21st
century with Australia’s renowned violinist, director
and teacher, Rachael Beesley. Rachael specialises
in historically informed performance on period
instruments. Her knowledge of musical styles,
articulations, and embellishments comes from years
of experience performing; reading treatises and
studying scores; experimenting with instruments
and interpretations; and sharing with her peers
and her students. Rachael is passionate about
understanding our musical heritage in the context
in which it was created, and even more passionate
about inspiring and enlightening others.

Monday 11 October

7:30pm – 9:00pm via Zoom – The link will be sent to you upon booking

Members – $10, Non Members – $15

Bookings can be made here: https://www.trybooking.com/BTWTN

Watch recordings of the recent Dynamic Duo of String Pedagogy weekend featuring the prominent music educators Howard Penny (Cello) and Robin Wilson (Violin) .

Important Information: Please read
The recordings will each be available to watch ONLY for a 7 day window from 9am Monday to the following Monday at 9am.
Attendee’s of the LIVE streamed event will also receive emails with access to these recordings, during the windows of time below, and do not need to register.

Robin Wilson’s Recordings will be available: 
Monday, 10th January 2022 9am – Monday 17th January 2022 9am

Howard Penny’s Recordings will be available:
Monday, 17th January 2022 9am – Monday 24th January 2022 9am

Each presentation day consists of two videos, a presentation and a masterclass, see below for full details of the original sessions.
You can purchase tickets to watch any of the sessions or all of the sessions. Each session’s video link/s will be emailed to ticket holders on the Friday prior to each session. *Please disregard the times on your ticket as they will not reflect accurately the sessions you have purchased*

Registration closes Wednesday 5th January 2022

Location

Online via email Link.
(Link will be emailed to ticketholders on the Sunday 9th January 2022 and Sunday 16th January 2022 respectively)

Robin Wilson – Violin/Viola

Howard Penny – Cello

Dr Robin Wilson

Internationally regarded pedagogue, Dr Robin Wilson is Resident Faculty of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne, and also teaches on the faculties of the Valdres Festival in Norway and the Keshet Eilon International Mastercourse in Israel. His students are the winners of many national and international competitions, and in 2018 he was honoured with a National Award from the Australian String Teachers Association for outstanding services to string teaching in Australia. 

Robin has performed widely throughout Australasia, the USA and the UK. Solo and chamber recordings appear on Decca, ABC Classics, Ode, Vexations840 and VDE-Gallo. He is a member of the acclaimed ensemble Ironwood, is former leader of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as guest violinist with many leading Australian ensembles. 

Robin’s research was awarded the prestigious 2014 Geiringer Prize from the American Brahms Society. He has presented lectures at leading universities throughout the USA and the UK and given masterclasses throughout Australasia, Singapore, the UK and the USA. He studied with Alice Waten and Janet Davies in Sydney and at the New England Conservatory of Music, USA. He plays a violin by the Gagliano family, made in Naples in 1784.

Howard Penny

Cellist Howard Penny is Head of Strings at Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne (ANAM). He is an internationally renowned soloist, ensemble member, principal, teacher, lecturer, co-director and festival founder. Based in Europe, Howard has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe for 30 years.

Schedule for release of videos:

Monday 10th January 9am: (expires Monday 17th January at 9am)

Session 1:   ‘Teaching and Developing Vibrato’ presentation with Dr Robin Wilson  

Session 2:  Masterclass with Dr Robin Wilson

Monday 17th November 9am: (expires Monday 24th January at 9am)

Session 1: ‘Dancing with Bach: A Guide to Life After the Preludes in the Cello Suites’ presentation with Howard Penny
Session 2:  Masterclass with Howard Penny

Session times are quoted in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Ticket Prices:
Single Video Session Price:
$15 for AUSTA members
$30 for non-members
Four Session Pass for all Videos.
$50 for AUSTA members
$95 for non-members

AUSTA – Workshop flyer – Pedagogy

Date: 20 February 2022

Session 1 – 1.30 – 3.00 – Violin/Viola
Session 2 – 3.30 – 5.00 – Cello/Bass

Prices

Members – 1 session $15.00, 2 sessions $25.00
Non-Members – 1 session $30.00, 2 sessions $45.00

Presenters

Upper Strings: Jenny Higgs and Gillian Bailey-Graham

Lower Strings: Louise Butler, Megan Taylor and Henry South

Topics

Move Well to Play Well

Freedom of movement, flexibility and overall posture are critical ingredients in playing well. How do we as teachers develop and encourage these skills in our students?

Essential Repertoire to Build Technique

Which repertoire is most useful for building our student’s technique? Join us to discuss this process in terms of repertoire for beginners, intermediate and advance level students.

Registrations

https://www.trybooking.com/BWWUF

18th & 19th February 2022

AUSTA VIC 2022 Reading Day

Get 2022 off to a musical start by reading through a collection of new music for string orchestra. Enjoy catching up with colleagues in the flesh! The state AGM will also be held this afternoon.

Sunday 6 February 2022: 1 – 4:30pm

VENUE: Glen Waverley Secondary College

13-21 O’Sullivan Rd (Cnr O’Sullivan Rd and Kingsway), Glen Waverley

Cost: Members – $15, Non-members – $40, Concession – $20

A QR Code and sign in sheets will be available for COVID-safe practices. Please download the Service Victoria app in order to register with the QR code on the day. BYO drink and snack for afternoon tea as this will not be provided this year.

Bookings open on January 24 here: https://www.trybooking.com/BWXJJ

PD certificates can be collected on the day upon registration.

All AUSTA Q members are invited and encouraged to attend the 30min AGM via Zoom.  A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on Saturday 5/2/22.  Further details and the agenda will be emailed shortly.

(Please be aware that this is NOT the AUSTA Q reading day which would usually occur at this time. With the current situation in mind, the AUSTA Q Executive has made the decision to postpone this year’s Reading Day that was originally scheduled for Sunday 6th February. The reading day will be rescheduled as the opening session of the AUSTA Q Mini Conference on Saturday 2nd of April 2022.)

Register your intention to attend the AGM by Friday 4/2/22.

Registration Here
https://www.trybooking.com/BXAFC

Our local composers have been very busy composing over the past few months and AUSTA Q is delighted to be able to provide this invaluable opportunity for string teachers and ensemble directors to gather in person to play through our local composers’ latest new repertoire. This event is being held as part of the Mini Conference and registration for this event is now open also. Please be aware if you want to attend both events please register for both separately using the two links.

Time and Date

Saturday 2nd April 2022 – 8:30am Registration for 9:00am -12:00pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly at 8:30am to allow for COVID Safe check-in.

Explore Asian music adapted for strings with violinist Gabriel Lee, composer Wang Chenwei and musicologist and violist Andrew Filmer. More details on AUSTA WA home page.

Sunday April 10, 1pm AWST (please note this is WA/Perth/Kuala Lumpur time zone, so adjust if this is not your zone).

This online event is held by AUSTA WA in conjunction with the SEA Music Academy Online.  This live online event will be recorded and resold as an AUSTA Encore event. Those who purchase tickets to the live event will receive access to the Encore recording, so please do not buy a second ticket.  Teachers who may like a poster for their studio, please contact wapresident@austa.asn.au for PDF version. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BYGQF

Position Changes!

A pedagogy workshop led by:

Evgeny Sorkin

Date & Time: 3 April 2022, 3.00-4.00pm

Venue: Zoom

Cost:

AUSTA Member: $15.00

Non Member: $30.00

Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/BYCOA

Contact: austaact@gmail.com

Position changes or shifting is one of the topics that has been thoroughly researched by luminary pedagogue Yuri Yankelevich. Mastery of position changes involves freedom of movement along the fingerboard as well as smooth transition between pitches. In the following talk Dr. Evgeny Sorkin will be discussing types of position changes, various technical and expressive aspects of shifting, and methods of building confidence and security when changing positions. Join us for a very informative talk with Evgeny.

Registration is now open!

The AUSTA Q Mini Conference is on again. Register now for the event at BBC, April 2nd and 3rd. This years event kicks off with the Annual Reading Day* (Register separately here) which showcases the works of local composers and others.  AUSTA Q is thrilled to be welcoming guest presenter Janet Davies. See the trybooking link for the mini conference.

“Healing Stage Fright” – an AUSTA WA Zoom presentation by Rupert Guenther.

May 15

1pm AWST time “Healing Stage Fright” – an AUSTA WA Zoom presentation by Rupert Guenther.

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/BZBAA

Stage-fright is a big issue for some people, and a significant issue for many. If you do get really nervous to the extent that you can’t express yourself or share and enjoy what you really love about music in your performances, this session will enable you to begin to heal your fears around performing, and regain your original inspiration for taking up music in the first place. You will learn practical on-the-spot approaches which will change your whole experience of playing in public, and dissolve the old patterns which caused you to feel anxiety instead of joy. Includes specific take-home techniques and practical tools for on-stage use in even the most demanding performances.
Open to all levels and all instruments including voice, percussion, piano, strings, brass, woodwind etc.

Rupert Guenther has taught his approaches to healing stage-fright in hundreds of workshops and masterclasses for students of all ages in universities, schools and holiday music camps throughout Australia, the UK, Italy, and Austria for over 15 years, including masterclasses at Vienna University for The Performing Arts (Austria), the St Paul Summer Academy (Austria), and Vorarlberg State Conservatorium (Austria). He has presented at The European String Teachers Association (ESTA) international conferences, AUSTA National Conference, The Reflective Conservatoire (The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London), as well as private sessions for some of the world’s top soloists, chamber ensembles, and key players from opera and symphony orchestras in Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance in classical violin with Brian Finlayson at The Victorian College of The Arts, 3 years of studies in Vienna (Austria) with the renowned Professor Helfried Fister, and Masterclasses with Professor Igor Ozim throughout Australia and Europe. He has toured and given recitals and live radio broadcasts worldwide for over 20 years, and has released over 28 CDs since 2003 including five CDs commissioned and recorded for Radio ABC Classic FM in Australia. His concerts and recitals include Melbourne International Festival (Australia), The Guildhall Festival (London), London Docklands Museum (UK), Tate Britain London (UK) and further recitals in Italy and Austria.

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/BZBAA

Download a flyer here: AUSTA WA_Healing Stage Fright

AUSTA ENCORE event – A recording of 90 minute online Zoom presentation on composition and Asian influences, with composer, Chenwei Wang, performer Gabriel Lee and musicologist, violist Andrew Filmer. An inspiring glimpse into Asian composition, opening up possibilities of improvisation for strings and using fabulous footage of performances from the Singapore International Violin Competition. Watch this fascinating presentation, receive interesting PDFs  Bookings open until May 12, viewing is May 14 – 23. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/BZARK

Explore Asian music adapted for strings with violinist Gabriel Lee, composer Wang Chenwei and musicologist and violist Andrew Filmer. More details on AUSTA WA home page.

An Encore Screening of Position Changes with Evgeny Sorkin

AUSTA ACT is pleased to present an ENCORE SCREENING of Evgeny Sorkin’s presentation Position Changes

A recording of this webinar will be available to watch from Saturday 7th May to Saturday 14th May. The webinar was recorded on the 3rd April 2022.

If you had tickets to the original event, no need to purchase again! You will be sent the link to the Encore.

Position Changes!

A pedagogy workshop led by:

Evgeny Sorkin

The recording will be available to watch from Saturday 7th May to Saturday 14th May

Cost:

AUSTA Member: $15.00

Non Member: $30.00

Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/BYWMI

Contact: austaact@gmail.com

Position changes or shifting is one of the topics that has been thoroughly researched by luminary pedagogue Yuri Yankelevich. Mastery of position changes involves freedom of movement along the fingerboard as well as smooth transition between pitches. In the following talk Dr. Evgeny Sorkin will be discussing types of position changes, various technical and expressive aspects of shifting, and methods of building confidence and security when changing positions. Join us for a very informative talk with Evgeny.

Healing Stage Fright, presented by Rupert Guenther

Have your instrument nearby when you watch a recording of this session, which will be available online for over a week – lots to think about, and some new habits to learn, for all teachers and performers. The Zoom link will be sent out to all shortly before the viewing period – this includes those who booked previously, no need to book again.

The recording of this webinar will be available to watch from June 4 – 14th

Bookings close June 3.

Book here

Stage-fright is a big issue for some people, and a significant issue for many. If you do get really nervous to the extent that you can’t express yourself or share and enjoy what you really love about music in your performances, this session will enable you to begin to heal your fears around performing, and regain your original inspiration for taking up music in the first place. You will learn practical on-the-spot approaches which will change your whole experience of playing in public, and dissolve the old patterns which caused you to feel anxiety instead of joy. Includes specific take-home techniques and practical tools for on-stage use in even the most demanding performances.
Open to all levels and all instruments including voice, percussion, piano, strings, brass, woodwind etc.

Rupert Guenther has taught his approaches to healing stage-fright in hundreds of workshops and masterclasses for students of all ages in universities, schools and holiday music camps throughout Australia, the UK, Italy, and Austria for over 15 years, including masterclasses at Vienna University for The Performing Arts (Austria), the St Paul Summer Academy (Austria), and Vorarlberg State Conservatorium (Austria). He has presented at The European String Teachers Association (ESTA) international conferences, AUSTA National Conference, The Reflective Conservatoire (The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London), as well as private sessions for some of the world’s top soloists, chamber ensembles, and key players from opera and symphony orchestras in Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance in classical violin with Brian Finlayson at The Victorian College of The Arts, 3 years of studies in Vienna (Austria) with the renowned Professor Helfried Fister, and Masterclasses with Professor Igor Ozim throughout Australia and Europe. He has toured and given recitals and live radio broadcasts worldwide for over 20 years, and has released over 28 CDs since 2003 including five CDs commissioned and recorded for Radio ABC Classic FM in Australia. His concerts and recitals include Melbourne International Festival (Australia), The Guildhall Festival (London), London Docklands Museum (UK), Tate Britain London (UK) and further recitals in Italy and Austria.

AUSTA ACT Reading Day – Please note change in venue

Date & Time: Saturday 30th July 2022, 1.30-4.30pm
Venue: Gillian B-G’s home – contact austaact@gmail.com for the address.

Come along to our annual Reading Day to choose new music for your String Ensembles and network with your peers. We will be reading through the latest releases from Australian and International composers and publishers.

Bring your instruments.

Cost: Members $10.00, Non-Members $25.00

TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CAADE

AUSTA members, please let Louise know if you are coming at austaact@gmail.com