2014 Schools’ Program
“Really inspiring to see ACO’s young musicians supporting the next generation.” ACO2 audience member
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William clark and helena rathbone © PIERRE TOUSSAINT COVER photo © LAURA MOORE
Artistic Director’s Message
RICHARD TOGNETTI ON STAGE WITH ACO2
Music this decade is waging a battle: high quality, creative music performance versus an onslaught of repetitive, digitised background noise. We are proud to bring creative flair to high quality and imaginative performances around the globe. Our approach to music education in 2014 is much like our approach to performance, with vested interest in professional development, students and teachers. We aim to be responsive to the needs and requests of teachers. Just as ACO performances may combine with other art forms, so too does the ACO Education Program, bringing together the combined power of music and visual art. ACO VIRTUAL features projections of 13 musicians surrounding you on all sides, with the sound of each player coming from the direction of their projection. It’s like standing in the middle of one of our concerts. The installation offers immense educational opportunities, enhancing subsequent live performances when geographically plausible. In 2014, our ever-expanding Education Program aligns with the new national curriculum and trains music teachers via our professional development programs. Our primary school program brings music to children who would never otherwise have the opportunity for music
education, while our secondary school program provides access to our exceptional musicians through workshops, open rehearsals and concerts. In 2014, ACO Academy takes place in Melbourne for an intensive week of rehearsals with ACO musicians, culminating in a public performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Our Emerging Artists program trains the next generation of young Australian musicians to perform at the highest level. In 2014, our regional touring program takes ACO2, our precocious little sister orchestra comprised of Emerging Artists and ACO musicians, to Western Australia and Tasmania, providing string workshops and concerts to local schools in the area and performing public concerts. Our new Indigenous music composition competition for students encompasses much of the new Australian Curriculum for the Arts. Also new are our teacher training sessions which feature hands-on string playing with learnthrough-play and collaborative problem-solving. Richard Tognetti AO Artistic Director and Lead Violin Australian Chamber Orchestra
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Australian Chamber Orchestra
“If there’s a better chamber orchestra in the world today, I haven’t heard it.” THE GUARDIAN (UK), 2011
ACO © PIERRE TOUSSAINT
A dedicated troupe of diverse musicians, we throw ourselves head first into performances that take us from red-dust regional centres to New York night clubs, and from Australian capital cities to the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and Vienna’s Musikverein. Remarkable Australian violinist Richard Tognetti has been at our helm for the last 25 years. Tognetti challenges, inspires and energises musicians and audiences, programming unique combinations of music spanning six centuries. Under his leadership we perform classical masterworks, world premieres and innovative multimedia projects as a chamber group, symphony orchestra and electro-acoustic ensemble. Several ACO musicians have moved across the world to join our intrepid ensemble. We have coaxed some of the best string players from Canada, England, Finland, Japan, Romania and Russia to join the home-grown talent in our ranks. Strengthening these talents are several
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precious, rare instruments honed by some of history’s finest craftsmen: Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, Guadagnini and Gasparo da Salò. When not on stage we’re in the recording studio, with over 40 CDs and DVDs in the catalogue, including three-time ARIA Award-winning Bach CDs, internationally awarded surf/music documentary Musica Surfica and acclaimed recordings of Mozart’s violin concertos. Eight years ago we started a national Education Program with the view to nurture Australian string players and inspire a love of music. Our little sister orchestra ACO2 combines the best tertiary string players from around the country with core musicians, creating a combined ensemble with its own unique and energetic performance style. AC O2 tours to regional centres and works with local school students, so our Education Program inspires the next generation of Australian string players to inspire the generation following them. aco.com.au
Contents Events in Your State Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
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Programs Primary Schools Interactive Concerts & String Ensemble Picton Music & Art
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Secondary Schools Masterclasses ACE: Arts Conference for Educators 30 & 31 May 2014 MOVE Workshops for students with disability ACO Academy Discounted tickets for School Groups Open Rehearsals Picton Strings Regional concerts for secondary students String Workshops Pre-concert talks Composition Competition Project based learning and professional development
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Digital Innovation ACO VIRTUAL education app and resources Online lessons featuring ACO musicians
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Events In Your State AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
QUEENSLAND
Canberra Canberra Festival 13 – 18 May
Brisbane String Workshop Mon 18 Aug – Brisbane Boys College Applications close 1 Jul
String Workshop Fri 22 Aug Australian National University Applications close 1 Jul 2014 NEW SOUTH WALES Picton Picton Strings Throughout 2014 Sydney Open rehearsals for school students Thu 15 May – The Concourse, Chatswood Fri 13 Jun – Eugene Goosens Hall, ABC Ultimo Applications close 1 Apr Open rehearsal for students with disability Date TBC – ACO Studio MOVE Workshop for students with disability Throughout 2014 – ACO Studio String Workshop Tue 20 May – ACO Studio Applications close 1 Apr Interactive concerts for primary students Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement School – and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School – throughout 2014 Composition Competition Workshop – mid-term 1 ACO Studio Further details at aco.com.au/education ACO2 Concert Tue 20 May Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre ACO2 Concert Sat 24 May Bellingen Memorial Hall
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide String Workshop Wed 25 Jun – Marryatville High School Applications close 1 Apr TASMANIA Devonport^ Regional Concert for secondary students Friday 14 Nov – Devonport Entertainment Centre Hobart^ String Workshop Thu 20 Nov – Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music Applications close 1 Oct Launceston^ String Workshop Sat 15 Nov 2014 – Princess Theatre Applications close 1 Oct Nubeena^ Regional Concert for Nubeena District School students Wed 19 Nov 2014 – Tasman District School St Marys^ Regional Concert for St Marys District School students Mon 17 Nov – St Marys District School PRINCIPAL PARTNER
^ These events are part of the ACO2 Tasmanian concert tour 13–21 Nov, visiting Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Launceston, Nubeena, Port Arthur, St Helens and St Marys. Director: Henning Kraggerud.
VICTORIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Melbourne ACO Academy Mon 7 Jul – Sat 12 Jul Melbourne Recital Centre Applications close 21 Mar
Albany* String Workshop Sun 6 Apr – Great Southern Grammar School Applications close 17 Feb
String Workshop Mon 2 June – Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School Applications close 1 Apr
Bunbury* Concert for secondary students Wed 9 Apr – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
String Workshop for students of the Victorian State Schools’ Spectacular String Ensemble Performing Arts Unit Collingwood Mon 24 Feb
Katanning* Concert for primary and secondary students Fri 4 Apr – Katanning Senior High School
Master class with ANAM quartet at TarraWarra Festival Sun 6 Apr – TarraWarra Museum of Art
Narrogin* Concert for primary and secondary students Thu 3 Apr – Narrogin Senior High School Perth* String Workshop Thu 24 Jul – Perth Modern School Applications close 21 Mar * These events are part of the ACO2 WA concert tour 3–13 Apr, visiting Albany, Bunbury, Katanning, Mandurah, Margaret River, Narrogin, Perth. Director: Helena Rathbone PRESENTING PARTNER
ACO ACADEMY © DAVID CURRO
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Primary School Programs
MATRAVILLE STRING GROUP
PICTON MUSIC & ART PROJECT
INTERACTIVE CONCERTS & MATRAVILLE STRING ENSEMBLE
PICTON MUSIC & ART
Presented in association with the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF), we perform interactive concerts and participate in music classes with primary school students at Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Matraville and the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Waterloo. Each week, two talented music teachers inspire over 400 children. Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Matraville now boasts a choir of over 190 children. Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Matraville String Ensemble A group of students from Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Matraville are learning the violin and cello, forming a small string ensemble. They receive instrumental lessons, tickets to ACO concerts, access to ACO and ACO2 rehearsals and sessions with ACO musicians. Little Bay Community of Strings Program The ACO is working with the ACMF to further establish generalist music and string programs in Sydney’s South East.
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In partnership with Picton Public School, we are bringing music and visual art into the primary school classroom. Regular ACO collaborator, American violinist Sharon Roffman, and local visual artist Melissa Wheeler combine forces to teach students about influences that shape music and art, and help students express their ideas through visual art. The students’ artworks are showcased at community events and ACO concerts. Classes incorporate classroom lessons, Skype and pre-recorded video lessons. Sharon performs in European and American orchestras, and so, via Skype, students are able to travel with her and meet other international touring musicians. Coursework samples and videos can be viewed at aco.com.au/education
“I was so moved and proud and so thankful for the opportunities given to our children.” Parent OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT
PICTON STRINGS MUSIC WORKSHOP © LAURA MOORE
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Secondary School Programs
STring workshop © JAMIE WILLIAMS
aco move workshop
MASTERCLASS
ACO MOVE
A string quartet from the Australian National Academy of Music team up with ACO musicians for a quartet masterclass at the TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville, Victoria as part of our annual TarraWarra Music Festival. The quartet will explore and finesse repertoire which the ACO will then play in concert.
We provide a series of movement and music classes for secondary school students with a disability, hosted by MOVE facilitator Dean Watson and ACO musicians.
ACE: Arts Conference for Educators 30 & 31 May ACE brings together Australia’s leading arts organisations, offering a premium professional development opportunity for primary school teachers. The ACE program fuses theory with practice, offering inspiring key note presentations from industry leaders as well as practical sessions with staff from the ACO; as well as Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Theatre for Young People. The conference provides delegates with a toolkit of practical skills to use immediately in the classroom, as well as the theoretical background and inspiration. To book please visit sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/ace_2014.aspx
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This series of classes is designed to develop physical movement response to classical music and is held in the ACO’s Circular Quay Studio, Sydney and is free of charge. Participants with experience in movement and classical music are encouraged to apply. Apply online at aco.com.au/education
ACO ACADEMY © DAVID CURRO
ACO ACADEMY – MELBOURNE
Cost and applicant information
Applications close 21 Mar
Cost is $200 payable upon successful audition. Participants outside of Melbourne will need to be based in Melbourne with a parent/guardian for the week. Interstate applicants must cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Rehearsals will be held at the Melbourne Recital Centre, or nearby. Participants are responsible for transport to and from the rehearsals and performance venues.
The ACO Academy is a must for any talented young musician who wants to be challenged in a professional learning environment. After two Sydney-based Academies, we’re thrilled to bring the ACO Academy to Melbourne in 2014. Top-level secondary students who play the violin, viola, cello or double bass will spend an immersive week rehearsing and performing with us, culminating in a public performance at Melbourne Recital Centre. We’ll teach students how to perform with the ACO’s trademark style and precision, taking them behindthe-scenes and offering career advice. The week includes: - O ne week of intensive rehearsals focusing on ensemble, technical accuracy, interpretation and style with ACO musicians. - Private performances by ACO musicians - Presentations by ACO musicians and staff on careers and pathways in music
Limited scholarships are available to cover the fee and/or travel and accommodation costs. Visit aco.com.au/education for details. We recommend that applicants have completed: Violin 8th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 7 or equivalent Viola 6th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 5 or equivalent Cello 6th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 5 or equivalent Double Bass 5th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 4 or equivalent
- Chamber music tutorials
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Secondary School Programs Audition Information Audition is via YouTube only. Applicants must upload a video to YouTube and complete the application form at aco.com.au/education. Separate applications must be submitted for each student. To share your video with us: 1. Set up a YouTube account
2. Upload your video
3. Class the video as ‘unlisted’ so that it is not publicly accessible
4. Email your YouTube links to education@aco.com.au Audition videos must include 15 minutes (maximum) of the student’s playing. Videos must be less than one year old, and must contain two contrasting works or movements, at least one of which should be with piano accompaniment. Recordings with orchestral accompaniment are acceptable. Applications close 21 Mar 2014
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“It was a truly inspirational week where we were exposed to top quality musicians and encouraged to perform at our peak.” ACO Academy student
ACO2 in rehEArsal
ACO2 ON TOUR
DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
OPEN REHEARSALS – Sydney
Heavily discounted tickets to ACO concerts are available for school groups. You can explore the full season at aco.com.au The Schools’ Ticketing program includes: - $20 concert tickets (a discount of up to 80%); - Free state-curriculum-based resources including lesson content, worksheets, sections of musical scores and audio samples; - Free 45 minutes pre-concert talks in all venues; - Free concert programs; - Free ACO CD for each student; - Regular email updates including information about upcoming concerts and special events. Resources are available for download from aco.com.au, and will be sent to teachers upon booking their tickets.
Students may apply to attend one of our rehearsals in Sydney at: - Eugene Goosens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre – Fri 13 Jun 2014 - The Concourse, Chatswood – Thu 15 May 2014 Open rehearsals are an invaluable opportunity for students to see the ACO rehearse behind the scenes and witness a major orchestra’s preparation for a national tour. Register your students at aco.com.au or email education@aco.com.au to request an application form. “I could have listened to them all day!” Teacher
Concerts are held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Wollongong. Limited ticket availability in Adelaide, Newcastle and Sydney evening concerts.
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Secondary School Programs
PICTON STRINGS WORKSHOP Š LAURA MOORE
ACO2 Š PIERRE TOUSSAINT
PICTON STRINGS
REGIONAL CONCERTS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
Picton Strings is an ensemble of school-aged students from the Wollondilly Shire, led by local musician Katie Spicer. In 2011 we began a mentoring program with the students run in partnership with the Wollondilly Shire Council and Classics at Picton. We facilitate string workshops for Picton Strings throughout the year, forming meaningful and long-lasting relationships with the students. Picton Strings play with us in community concerts which are co-presented by Classics at Picton. To join Picton Strings, please visit pictonstrings.org. All students who play the violin, viola, cello or double bass are welcome to join, and will be placed in the junior or senior group according to their standard.
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WA: Bunbury, Katanning, Narrogin, Mandurah TAS: St Marys, Nubeena, Devonport Our regional touring orchestra, ACO2, presents 60-minute concerts for secondary students. These interactive performances introduce students to the magic of the string orchestra and take them on a journey through the music. Students are inspired and entertained while learning about traditional and contemporary repertoire. Resources to accompany these concerts are available from aco.com.au and will be sent to teachers on booking. These include analysis of the works performed and state-curriculum-based in-class exercises for students to work through. For booking details please visit aco.com.au
“Epic and completely enlightening.” String Workshop participant
String workshop © LAURA MOORE
STRING WORKSHOPS
Regional workshop requirements
METRO: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth & Sydney
There is no recommended standard for regional String Workshops. We work with local string teachers and ensemble leaders to devise a tailored program for each area.
REGIONAL: Albany & Launceston Students from different schools combine to form a chamber orchestra without conductor, with ACO players leading each of the sections. Thematically structured rehearsals are based around concepts such as listening, leading, breathing, blending technique and performance style. The workshop culminates in an informal performance for family and friends. String Workshops are free of charge and run for three hours. Information for teachers String Workshops are extension activities for secondary and advanced primary students. Music will be mailed to teachers approximately one month prior and students must ‘know the notes’ before the workshop. Places are allocated to form a balanced ensemble consisting of students representing different schools. Preference is given to older students over younger students of an equal standard.
Metro workshop requirements We recommend that participants have completed: - Violin: 6th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 5 or equivalent - Viola: 4th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent - Cello: 5th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 4 or equivalent - Double Bass: 4th grade AMEB / Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent Apply at aco.com.au or email education@aco.com.au to request an application form. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the performance. They are still talking about it!” Teacher
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Secondary School Programs
TEACHER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
OPEN REHEARSAL © JAMIE WILLIAMS
Pre-Concert Talks
INDIGENOUS MUSIC COMPOSITION COMPETITION
ACO audiences have enjoyed free pre-concert talks for over 20 years. Our pre-concert talks are a platform for teachers to up-skill and extend their knowledge of string and chamber music. Professional development at preconcert talks include lessons based on the concert season’s repertoire. See aco.com.au/education for a list of endorsed pre-concert talks. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Project-based learning (PBL) is a great way to encourage students to help each other while taking charge of their own learning. We invite teachers to challenge their classes to learn violin / cello, using YouTube and iPads to assist. To support this PBL challenge, we will run in the same way PBL works in the classroom – hands-on, engaging, discoverybased and fun. It’s time for teachers to dig the violins and cellos out of the store-room, or borrow them from a nearby school for a month! Contact ACO for further details. aco.com.au/education
Secondary students are encouraged to compose an original work for string orchestra (with optional percussion) that integrates ideas from Indigenous Australian culture. We have compiled a free teaching kit, including video, based on compositions inspired by Indigenous music, to help teachers facilitate these original student compositions. Contact ACO for further details. aco.com.au/education The winner of the ACO 2014 Composition Competition will win ACO prizes, which will include free concert tickets to our 2015 Season in your home state. NB: excluding NT and TAS. MATINEE CONCERTS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS Fri 29 Aug 1.30 – 3.30pm City Recital Hall Angel Place ACO & Bell Shakespeare See our matinee performance of Intimate Letters with Bell Shakespeare for the reduced rate of $25. One teacher free with every ten students. Free Music and English resources are available. A Q&A session with musicians and actors will follow the concert, facilitated by Bell Shakespeare Co-Artistic Director, Peter Evans.
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Digital Innovation
“Very innovative and brave! Amazing, inspirational tool for education.” ACO VIRtual audience member
ACO VIRTUAL
STRING WORKSHOP © LAURA MOORE
ACO VIRTUAL
A smartphone app gives information about the music, the musicians and their instruments.
Imagine standing on stage during a performance by the ACO. Cutting-edge audio-visual installation ACO VIRTUAL takes you there. Using state-of-the-art technology, ACO VIRTUAL features projections of 13 musicians surrounding you on all sides, with the sound of each player coming from the direction of their projection. Immerse yourself in performances of music by Bach, Grieg, Smalley and Piazzolla, or take charge of the band via a controller inside the installation. You can choose to spotlight one musician or many; listen to just the violins; or just the bass – the possibilities are endless. - See how fast the musician’s fingers move; - Hear the sounds of each instrument whirl around you; - Follow along with the projected musical score; - Bring your instrument and play along; - Take the helm of the “greatest chamber orchestra on earth” and stand in for ACO Lead Violin Richard Tognetti. The interactive features provide a unique understanding of how music is constructed. Perfect for students, school groups may book exclusive education sessions supplemented by teacher resources and lesson plans. Music or dance students can perform along with the band.
Teachers can also download free learning resources to explore with classes before and after their visit. Details at aco.com.au/acovirtual Produced by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Mod Productions and BSound. FREE ONLINE LESSONS ACO musicians have filmed an ever-expanding collection of online instrument lessons, freely available on our YouTube channel. Watch the lessons at youtube.com/user/AustralianCO These free resources feature inspirational ideas on string technique, style and musical expression. They also assist multi-instrumental teachers by offering alternative approaches to posture, fingering and interpretation. To download lessons for your instrument, go to aco.com.au/video-lessons Online Lessons Partner
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STUDENTS INSIDE ACO VIRTUAL
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GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body
The ACO is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW
The Australian Government is proud to be associated with the ACO through the national performing Arts funding program, Playing Australia
The ACO’s Waterloo activities are supported by the City of Sydney
ACO VIRTUAL FOUNDING PARTNER
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Developed with the assistance of Screen NSW
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body
PATRONS – NATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Janet Holmes à Court AC
Marc Besen AO & Eva Besen AO
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS
Holmes à Court Family Foundation
The Ross Trust
The Neilson Foundation
aco.com.au Australian Chamber Orchestra Pty Ltd A not for profit company registered in NSW. ABN 45 001 335 182
Richard Tognetti AO Artistic Director Timothy Calnin General Manager PO Box R21, Royal Exchange NSW 1225, Australia Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: 1800 444 444 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) Email: aco@aco.com.au
“Our musical future is indeed in good hands.” ACO2 AUDIENCE MEMBER