AUSTA WA is pleased to present masterclasses for viola with Daniel Schmidt, who has been principal viola of WASO since 2019. His full biography is below.  This should be a great event for students and teachers, with a shorter playing opportunity in both sessions towards the end of the sessions and audience or audience plus ensemble playing will be free for current AUSTA members. To check or to renew your membership, log on here:
https://www.austa.asn.au

The morning masterclass features works by Faure, Kreisler, Hoffmeister, Casadesus/J.C Bach and Stamitz, followed by ensemble reading session. The afternoon masterclass features works by Giardini, Sitt, Hopkins, J.S. Bach and Reger, also followed by ensemble reading session. As solo performer places are full, please email organiser Helen Tuckey helenvla@bigpond.net.au to go on the waiting list, or for further enquiries. After the master class section has ended, violists of all levels who register as “Plus” can play in the multi-level ensemble reading session, so please bring your viola. Ensemble works for the reading sessions will include a range of music from Handel’s Queen of Sheba and Bach Chorales to Chinese folk songs, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Grandfather’s Clock, and less familiar works with a range of reading abilities catered for.

If you are staying for both sessions, please BYO refreshments. AUSTA WA accepts no responsibility for supervision of participants.

A PD certificate for teachers will be available after the event by email. Please send a request to helenvla@bigpond.net.au stating your full name. Video recordings may be made only with permission of the performer and their family.

About Daniel:

Daniel has been a member of Bayerische Staatsoper Orchestra in Munich and held principal positions with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic and the Royal Opera Orchestra “La Monnaie” in Brussels under the baton of Philippe Herreweghe and Antonio Pappano. He has also appeared as guest principal with the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre des Champs Élysées Paris and the Opera Australia Orchestra.
Born in Germany, Daniel began his music studies with violin and piano. He studied viola with Bruno Giuranna at the University of the Arts in Berlin, completing his Master’s Degree. His intensive study of chamber music includes lessons with Franco Gulli and Joseph Silverstein.
He was the violist in the Lenos String Quartet, which won the National German Music Competition. He has performed with Lenos throughout Europe and performances have been broadcast on SR Kultur, NDR2 (Germany) and Radio DRS (Switzerland).
As a chamber musician he has performed at numerous festivals in Europe, the UK, South Korea and Japan. In Australia he has appeared at the Melbourne Recital Centre, performing Schumann’s Piano Quintet with Emanuel Ax, Wilma Smith, Dale Barltrop and David Berlin.
Daniel Schmitt plays a viola made in 1964 by Otto A. Erdesz in Toronto, Canada.

Book here

Hear Daniel:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2554062924910554

The ‘AUSTA NQ Celebration of Strings’ Festival is an annual workshop which brings together hundreds of the string players from primary schools in the Townsville region for a great concert celebrating the fun of string playing. For to students up to year 8, in five massive orchestras, our concert promises to be a hit, especially for an auditorium full of adoring family and friends.
Come and enjoy the fun and festivity as these keen string players strut their stuff on the big stage.

Download a copy of the schedule for the weekend here.

The ‘AUSTA NQ Celebration of Strings’ Festival is an annual workshop which brings together hundreds of the string players from primary schools in the Townsville region for a great concert celebrating the fun of string playing. For to students up to year 8, in five massive orchestras, our concert promises to be a hit, especially for an auditorium full of adoring family and friends.
Come and enjoy the fun and festivity as these keen string players strut their stuff on the big stage.

Download a copy of the schedule for the weekend here.