AMEB Viola Preliminary – Grade 4: A deep dive into the new syllabus

Come along to this Zoom workshop with Helen Tuckey and Janet Fernandes, two of the AMEB’s viola consultants for the new series 2 syllabus.
Helen will introduce the new viola Technical Work book, giving insights into the underlying framework of the book and many practical tips and hints on preparing students for examination.
Janet will discuss the levels of difficulty within each list from Preliminary to Grade 4 and give her rationale for the choice of each piece in the grade books.
Bring along your copies of the new books and your questions and join Helen and Janet for an afternoon of technical and musical exploration.

If you are a violinist, cellist or bassist who also teaches viola occasionally, this is a workshop for you. You will be welcomed into the alto clef team!

Questions in advance for either presenter may be submitted by completing the form below or by emailing admin@austa.asn.au

This webinar will be recorded and made available as an Encore Event for all ticket holders. Encore Event Date TBA. 

Date: Sunday Oct 27

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Time:

• 2.00 – 4.00pm AEDT
• 11.00 – 1.00pm WA
• 1.00 – 3.00pm QLD
• 1.30 – 3.30pm SA
• 12.30 – 2.30pm NT

Registration: BOOK NOW!

Early bird pricing
(before October 7)
Members $20, Non-members $40

Standard pricing
(from October 7)
Members $30, Non-members $55

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Thanks to our friends at Zenith Music, all ticketholders will go into the draw to win a prize package which includes a signed copy of the AMEB Viola Technical Work Book! Learn more about the prize pack and Zenith Music below!

Zenith Music: Signed Viola prize pack

Helen Tuckey

Helen Tuckey is a viola player and member of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. In addition to Orchestral work, she participates in small ensemble work and is involved in community outreach and education. Besides WASO, she has worked in several other professional orchestras interstate and overseas.

Originally from Melbourne, Helen’s formative teachers include Andre Hadges and Paul O’Brien. This was followed by several years of study in New York at Manhattan School of Music with Lillian Fuchs.

Teaching has always played a significant role in Helen’s professional life. An enthusiastic private studio teacher, a number of her past students are now performers and teachers. As a player and teacher, she has been fortunate to be influenced by a broad range of performers and teachers, including Paul Rolland, William Primrose, Shinichi Suzuki, Sheila Nelson, Maxim Rysanov, Patricia Pollett, Robyn Brookfield, Barry Green, Mark O’Connor, Joanna May, Molly Gebrian, Atar Arad, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Martha Mooke and Molly Sharp. Helen has been involved in professional musical associations, serving on committees in various roles, including a period as National President for the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA). Recently she was honoured to receive a service award from the Australia and New Zealand Viola Society.

An experienced adjudicator and AMEB examiner, Helen was appointed as the Principal Consultant for the AMEB Viola syllabus review in 2023.

Janet Fernandes

Janet’s music education began in New Zealand where she learnt piano and clarinet before taking up the viola at the age of fourteen. She moved to Melbourne to continue her music education, studied the viola with Paul O’Brien and Marco van Pagee, and graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1980.

From 1982, Janet spent two years at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in the Netherlands studying the viola with Jurgen Kussmaul and chamber music with Anner Bijlsma. During this time, she attended violin pedagogy lectures with Qui van Woerdekom and worked as a freelance Baroque violist in the Netherlands, Germany and France.

As a professional violist, Janet had contract work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.

Membership of AUSTA has been important to Janet throughout her long teaching career. She was a committee member in Victoria for many years.  She has been a delegate at many AUSTA Conferences, attended an International Viola Congress (Wellington, 2000) and conferences organised by ASTA (Atlanta, 2012) and ESTA (Portugal, 2024).

As a teacher, Janet has worked for the Bendigo Musician/Teacher Pilot Project and taught at a number of leading independent schools in Melbourne including Wesley College, Presbyterian Ladies College and Scotch College. Now retired, she continues to teach at her home studio, and in 2023 was appointed as the Level One consultant for the AMEB series 2 viola syllabus.

Zenith Music

Zenith Music is a West Australian family owned business established in 1969 by Lionel Cranfield and, is still owned and run by the Cranfield Family today. Zenith stocks a huge range of quality musical instruments from beginner to professional level, instrument accessories, and is home to the largest selection of sheet music in the Southern Hemisphere. The people at Zenith Music are musicians who are knowledgeable and understand the needs and requirements when you are seeking your first, more advanced, or your dream instrument. Zenith has sought after specialist brands and instrument makers that have a high commitment to the tone, feel, quality and attention to detail of their instruments. Zenith aims to provide the best for musicians from those just starting out to professionals with decades of experience. As a major supporter of music in Western Australia, Zenith Music proudly supports music programmes in schools, universities, and other institutions as well as many other organisations. Being a longterm Western Australian owned family business, Zenith Music is committed to music and music education meaning you can trust Zenith. Visit Zenith Music today at 309 Stirling Hwy Claremont WA or alternatively phone on 9383 1422 or visit online at zenithmusic.com.au

AUSTA VIC 2025 Reading Afternoon & AGM

Get 2025 off to a musical start by reading through a collection of new music for string orchestra. Take part in our Annual General Meeting, enjoy refreshments and catch up with colleagues!

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!!!

TO BOOK: CLICK HERE or go to https://www.trybooking.com/CYNEH  OR USE THE QR CODE BELOW.
We prefer bookings so that we can cater appropriately and plan for the correct number of people. You can pay on the day, but please book if you can.

Sunday 9 February 2025: 1 – 4:30pm

St Kevin’s College
Glendalough Campus: McMahon Music Building
75 Lansell Road
Toorak, VIC 3142

Cost: Members – $25, Non members – $45, Concession – $30

Chairs & stands provided but please bring a Keep Cup! 

PD certificates can be collected on the day upon registration.

The AUSTA VIC AGM will take place at 2.30pm just before afternoon tea.

Bring along any excess music you have and give it away on the day. Find that piano part you are missing, or track down that piece that you remember so well! Share with your colleagues and find that hidden gem!

We look forward to seeing you on the day!

Enquiries: Andrew Schellhorn 0449 766 632

AUSTA Victoria supports

2025 Cello Extravaganza!

In conjunction with Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, AUSTA is pleased to support the 2025 Cello Extravaganza!

Sunday,30th March 2025

9.45am – registration

10am – 12noon – Cello Extravaganza!

To participate, please fill in the form HERE.

VENUE:
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Keilor East Campus
Corner of Keilor & Rachelle Roads
Keilor East VIC 3033

Enquiries: jamesderozario@hotmail.com

Bookings open till 14 March 2025

AUSTA Victoria presents

2025 String Performers Festival

We are very excited to be presenting our eleventh String Performers Festival, a welcoming, non-competitive performance opportunity for students. String students of all levels are welcome and all performers will receive written feedback and a medallion. Family and friends will make up the audience for each session.

Sunday,30th March 2025

9am – 12.30pm

There will be three sessions on the day to choose from.  A Festival Accompanist will be available for Preliminary – Grade 4 pieces on the day.

• • • • Session One:               9.00 – 10.00am   Festival Accompanist Available
      • Session Two:              10.00 – 11.00am  Festival Accompanist Available
      • Session Three:            11.00– 12.30pm  Festival Accompanist Available

Cost: $32.50 per performer / $17.50 per additional family performer.

Senior players are always welcome to perform at the Festival, however the day tends towards beginner and middle level players.

All performers are welcome to bring lots of family and friends to support them on the day. Performance numbers are limited, so book quickly!

VENUE:
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Keilor East Campus
Corner of Keilor & Rachelle Roads
Keilor East VIC 3033

Enquiries: jamesderozario@hotmail.com

Bookings open 1st February 2025: CLICK HERE TO BOOK or use the QR Code below.

2025 Melbourne String Orchestra Festival

Eltham High School: Sunday 18th May 2025

12:15pm – Registration

1:00pm – Festival String Orchestra Rehearsal

2:30pm Afternoon Tea

3:00pm Festival Concert

4:00pm Finish

Festival Piece: DARK MATTER by Andrew Aronowicz

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Request a registration form at austavicpresident@outlook.com

Eltham High School

30 – 60 Withers Way

Eltham VIC 3095

The Paul McDermott Scholarship
Each year, young Victorian violinists are invited to apply for the prestigious Paul McDermott Scholarship—but few know the remarkable story behind the man whose name it bears.

Established in 1980 by an anonymous local music lover and benefactor, the scholarship honours Paul McDermott, a beloved local violinist, conductor, and champion of music education. McDermott served as the chief conductor of the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1973 and was the founder and president of the Australian Musicians’ Guild. Under his leadership, the Guild flourished, presenting regular concerts and launching Music in the Round, a celebrated weekend-long festival held at historic venues such as Werribee Mansion and the Abbotsford Convent. This event became a highlight in Melbourne’s cultural calendar from 1972 until McDermott’s passing in 1985, and served as a unique platform for scholarship recipients to perform alongside leading Australian and international chamber musicians.

After McDermott’s death, and the eventual closure of the Guild in 1996, the scholarship was entrusted to AUSTA VIC, who proudly continue its legacy. Though Music in the Round ended, its spirit has been revived in recent years through projects by Jeff Crellin and Chris Howlett.

Today, the Paul McDermott Scholarship remains a significant accolade in the Victorian string community—a $1500 award that supports the further study of a promising young violinist under the age of 15. The recipient also receives the opportunity to perform at an AUSTA VIC event, adding a prestigious milestone to their musical journey and honouring the vision of a man who gave so much to Australian music.

For more information, please contact Andrew Schellhorn: andrew.schellhorn@gmail.com

To apply for audition, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/knfX7ok4rU4ihkkq8

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

We are excited to announce the AUSTA VIC Spring Pedagogy Series!

This September, join us online for three inspiring sessions led by outstanding educators from across the East Coast.

• Lachlan Dent – Making Young Ensembles Sound Great!
  Thursday 18 September, 7:00 pm
  Practical strategies for tone development, rhythm, intonation, and repertoire.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFHUS

• Stephen Chin – The Art of Scales
  Monday 22 September, 6:30 pm
  A hands-on exploration of how scales can nurture technique, musicianship, and expression.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFIBN

• Bernardo Alviz – All Things Double Bass
  Wednesday 24 September, 7:00 pm
  A deep-dive into repertoire, posture, technique, and everything double bass.

https://www.trybooking.com/DFIBO

Stay at home, recharge, and connect with colleagues while gaining practical tools to energise your teaching.