We look forward to welcoming teachers and students of all levels. One piece only is to be performed for each ticket purchased. Beginner medleys may be approved on application. Chamber groups of up to 4 players are also welcome, and each student must play an individual part.  For the second year in a row, we will also offer an Adults Only performance session. Bring your spare change, as there will also be a sale of second-hand sheet music and music books, donations welcome. A discount code will be sent to current AUSTA members, for their use and for use by their students. Early Bird registrations close April 9. All registrations close May 14.

Festival Adjudicators: Joanna Drimatis, Daniel Schmitt &  Joan Wright

Accompanists: Katherine Stanton (south of river – contact via SMS 0401 138 876), Stephanie Nicholls (north of river – contact via email stephanienichollsmusic@gmail.com OR Book AUSTA Rehearsals with Stephanie Nicholls online here) 

BOOKINGS OPEN:  https://www.trybooking.com/CFSWI

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR ZENITH MUSIC

Paul McDermott Violin Scholarship 2023 – Sunday 18 June

Today young Victorian violinists are invited annually to apply for the scholarship that bears Paul McDermott’s name but few know the story behind the man and the scholarship.

The scholarship was created in 1980 by an anonymous local music lover and benefactor. Paul McDermott was chosen as the dedicatee for the scholarship as he was a much loved local violinist and conductor. He served as the chief conductor of the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra from 1960 – 1973 and was founder and president of the Australian Musicians’ Guild.

The guild was established in 1971 and gave regular concerts including Music in the Round which became a fixture in the musical life of Melbourne from 1972 to 1985. It involved a whole weekend of music at an historic venue such as Werribee Mansion or the Abbotsford Convent. This also became the perfect event to showcase the talents of the annual recipient of the Paul McDermott scholarship where they had the chance to play alongside professional Australian chamber musicians and international guests.

The Music in the Round concerts unfortunately came to an end when Paul McDermott died in 1985. Until that year he had continued to work tirelessly as both artistic director and a busy performer. The Australian Musicians’ Guild also folded in 1996 at which time the running of the scholarship was entrusted to AUSTA.

In recent years there have been two resurrections of Music in the Round, one by oboist Jeff Crellin at Monash University, and another for the 10 year anniversary of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation in 2014 directed by Chris Howlett. The legacy lives on with a prestigious award to add to any young violinist’s biography, a prize of $1500 to aid further study, and a public performance at an AUSTA event. Violinists that reside in Victoria and are younger than 15 years on July 1st 2021 are invited to apply for this year’s scholarship.

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

Cost to enter: $35

More details to follow

AUSTA Members are invited to attend the Southeast Asia Music Academy (SEA Music Academy) Conference from 22nd June 2023 – 23 June 2023

The journey of the past few years has been one of adaptation and repair – and perhaps now we can take this resilience and the new skills garnered in reimagining boundaries of our art, our craft, and our industry. The Musicverse Conference of 2023 carries us into territories both familiar and uncharted, from music education to leading the world’s greatest musical team.

In approaching the Academy’s third anniversary, we also remind ourselves of the importance of community, bringing to you a talk on the Alexander Technique approach to practicing and performing, and an international leader in music therapy, as well as in building spaces for new conversations.

Reimagining Boundaries, Building Community: as we blaze trails anew, we do so hand in hand.

AUSTA Members are eligible for a 20% discount to this online conference! Full details of how to access the discount is HERE

Full conference information online HERE

All times are Singapore times. (2 hours behind AEST, same time as WA).

Our string pedagogue for 2023 is Markiyan Melnychenko.
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 for this
event. (See details below.) Register early to avoid
missing out! Registration opens on June 1.

Date&Time: Sunday August 13 2-5pm
Venue: TBC
Fees: $40 per performer, one family
member free
Performers must register to receive a special
booking link
Registrations: Emily Cameron
austavicvcestringmasterclass@gmail.com
Observers: Members $20,
Non-members $30,
Concession $20