Masterclasses!

A Masterclass opportunity with:

Robert Harris

Viola/Violin

Or

Rachel Johnston

Cello/Bass

Date & Time: 28 March 2021, 2.00pm-4.30pm

Venue: Canberra Girls Grammar School

Cost:

Student Registration Fee to Perform: $50.00

Audience: Gold coin donation

Check In CBR app code will be used.

Trybooking: www.trybooking.com/BPFQV

Contact: austaact@gmail.com

Students of viola and violin, or cello and bass, of 4th Grade AMEB and higher, are invited to apply to perform in a Masterclass with either Robert Harris – viola/violin or Rachel Johnston – cello /bass.  Please specify the work you intend to perform on your application through TryBooking……

Rachel Johnston

Originally from New Zealand, Rachel played for 7 years as a member of the Australian String Quartet and has become one of Australia’s best-known cellists, performing for audiences across the country as well as in the US, UK, and Europe.

As a sought after performer and teacher Rachel maintains a diverse calendar of commitments in Australia and abroad, and has performed, taught masterclasses, recorded for radio and given improvisation workshops in NZ, Australia, the UK, Singapore, China and New York.

Rachel is part-way through studying for a PhD at Elder Conservatorium, University of Adelaide, researching non-classical cello techniques, but is currently on hiatus due to two adorable but slightly villainous toddlers. She lives with said creatures and partner Trent in Majors Creek, NSW

Robert Harris

Robert Harris has been a frequent visitor in recent years to perform as a Guest Principal Viola with the Canberra Symphony, also offering ANZ Viola Society Cafe Viola workshops, concerts at Wesley and Tuggeranong series, AMEB examining and AUSTA Strings Festivals adjudication to his ACT portfolio. While still teaching and freelancing as an orchestral, ensemble and recital violist in Sydney and NSW regional centres Robert’s pre-COVID travels included hosting university strings masterclasses in the USA in September 2019 (again in Autumn 2022 – pandemics permitting). A past Principal Viola of the ACO, earlier chapters in Rob’s career saw him as a contract violinist of MSO, SSO and WASO, as Concertmaster of AYO and youth orchestras in the USA and Switzerland – and a founder member of AUSTA way back at the first conference in 1975 … in Canberra!

AUSTA – Workshop flyer – Masterclass

Vibrato Workshop with Jeremy Woolstenhulme

Sunday March 21st 12:00 PM AEDT

Join Jeremy Woolstenhulme, world-class performer, educator, and author of the bestselling series String Basics, as he shows you the best ways to introduce vibrato to your string students. Jeremy will offer teaching tips tailored for each instrument.

James de Rozario, National President of the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), will introduce the workshop. You’ll have a chance to to ask Jeremy all your burning questions live during the workshop.

Register today for this rare opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading strings pedagogues!

REGISTER HERE

About Jeremy Woolstenhulme

Jeremy Woolstenhulme received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Brigham Young University in 2000, and a Master of Arts degree in cello Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2005.

Mr. Woolstenhulme currently serves as the orchestra director at Northview High School in Fulton County, Georgia and taught for 20 years previously in the Clark County School District of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has traveled with his orchestras to London, Washington, D.C., Boston, San Diego, and New York. His orchestra was selected to play at the 2008 and 2017 Midwest Clinic and in 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2018 at the National ASTA Conference.

With a steadily growing number of original and arranged works to his credit, Mr. Woolstenhulme is a commissioned and published composer, many which have been performed around the world. His works have consistently been included as J.W. Pepper Editors’ Choice selections and can be found on festival repertoire lists. He is co-author, with Terry Shade and Wendy Barden of the highly acclaimed string method, String Basics. His specialty is to write for middle and high school orchestras where he composes to teach, challenge, and inspire. He has served as clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States, Canada, Australia (including the prestigious Maryborough Conference) and the People’s Republic of China.

AUSTA 2020 – Teaching Beginner Strings Forum

Teaching developing strings – dealing with shifting, vibrato

28 February – Sunday – 2.00-5.00pm

Sequencing your teaching from Beginners onwards

Progressive techniques
Left hand, right hand, student practice,
shifting, vibrato

Cost: (plus GST)
$15 students
$35 members
$60 Non Members

To register: https://www.trybooking.com/BNHJL

Cello/Bass room- Louise/Lindy
Violin room – Gill/Jenny

If you have any queries please email austaact@gmail.com

20th Century Russian Violin

Dr. Evgeny Sorkin
Sunday November 1

HOSTED BY AUSTA ACT

The times for this 90 minute event are:
12.00pm WA
2.00pm QLD
2.30pm SA
3.00pm NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS

Bookings here: https://www.trybooking.com/BLSRY

Enquiries: Please email Mandy Philipse at austaact@gmail.com

COST: $10.00 Members $15.00 Non-Members

In 1939 Stravinsky asked:
“Why do we always hear Russian music spoken of in terms of its Russianness rather than simply in terms of music?”.

Dr. Evgeny Sorkin will delve into why Russian music sounds the way it does. What were historical perspectives and traditions, the imperial style, the sense of suffering in the happiness, the vast landscape, the liturgy chant, the folklore, the influence and musical language of other nations that formed greater Russia? He will also present some gems of Russian music that perhaps are lesser known than they deserve to be.

Dr. Evgeny Sorkin

Russian born violinist Evgeny Sorkin has been in demand as performer from a very early age. Showing immense musical talent, by the age of 10 legendary American violinist Isaac Stern has invited Evgeny for a concert tour of the USA including performance at the Department of State in Washington for the ambassadors to the USA. When Evgeny was 16, Sir Yehudi Menuhin likened his playing to that of young David Oistrakh.

Evgeny has graduated from the Moscow State Conservatorium receiving magna cum laude distinction upon his graduation. After moving to Australia Evgeny studied with Associate Professor Alice Waten at the Australian National Academy of Music and at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he was the first person ever to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Sydney.

Evgeny Sorkin was a member of The International Holland Music Sessions from 2006. He toured many countries as a soloist, appearing at venues such as Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatorium (Moscow), Hamer Hall (Melbourne). Evgeny has performed extensively as a member of the Brevis Trio receiving a recognition medal from the Union of Russian Composers for the promotion and performance of contemporary music. Evgeny has been awarded many prizes in international competitions including Winning the 6th Togliatti International Violin Competition, and receiving 2nd Prize at the 18th Caltanissetta International Chamber Music Competition, and top Prizes in Taneev International Competition and Gisborne International Music Competition. Evgeny has recorded two commercially available CDs – “Estrellita” (2008) and “Ustvolskaya works for Violin and Piano” (2020).

In 2006 Evgeny began teaching violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. In 2009 he became a staff member at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Having the experience of performing since the very young age, Evgeny is sensitive to the many technical, psychological and musical aspects of working with young promising musicians. In 2017 and 2019 at the Violin Pedagogy Conference in Sydney Evgeny has both presented lectures and gave public masterclasses. His students have been very successful in competitions, including prize winners of the KPO NSW Secondary Schools Concerto competition, Winner of the National Youth Concerto Competition (2019), Winner of the Animato International Violin Competition (2016). Some students have gone on to pursue musical studies overseas receiving scholarships in Juilliard and New England Conservatory of Music.

AUSTA ACT – Reading Day

Date & Time: Saturday 25th July, 1.30-4.30pm

Venue: 54 National Circuit Forrest

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/BKDRP

AUSTA 2020 – ACT Reading Day

2020 Canberra String Festival

15th to 17th May 2020

An AUSTA ACT event presented in partnership with the Wesley Music Foundation.

The festival will be held at the Wesley Music Centre, 20-22 National Circuit Forrest ACT 2603 on 15, 16 & 17 May 2020.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

There are two non-competitive periods available.  All non-competitive entrants will receive a souvenir certificate and adjudication report.

Generous cash prizes and medals are provided for competitive place getters.

To register: www.trybooking.com/BITTJ

Our adjudicator for the competitive sections will be the Robert Harris.

The smooth running of the festival depends on the efforts of a small number of AUSTA ACT volunteers.  If you are able to assist in any way, please contact canberrastringfest@gmail.com . For further information please go to https://canberrastringfestival.com/  .