April 19, 2010
Sunday April 18th 2010
Simply for Strings had the opportunity of being involved with AUSTA Q’s Baroque Style Workshop presented by Louise King and held at Somerville House on Sunday. We took along a selection of baroque instruments and bows for people to use and a stack of urtext and facsimile editions to browse. Louise presented a range of aspects of historical playing and interpretation and we all had the opportunity to play through some well known baroque repertoire (Corelli’s Christmas Concerto among others) with ‘new eyes and ears’. It was a delightful day with everyone getting involved and sharing thoughts and ideas about the baroque style and interpretation. It was a real treat to have Catherine Stirling accompany us on the harpsichord for the day too. Below are some photos Shannon Luk took of the days activities.
October 1, 2009
Both Shannon and I will be growing a moustache this year for Movember. We have decided to put down our razors for one month (November) and help raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.
What many people do not appreciate is that close to 3,000 men die of prostate cancer each year in Australia and one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime, many of whom don’t seek help. Facts like these have convinced us we should get involved and I am hoping that you will support us.
To sponsor the Simply for Strings Movember team you can either:
* Click this link http://au.movember.com/mospace/671/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account
* Write a cheque payable to Movember Foundation, referencing my Registration Number 671 and mailing it to: Movember Foundation, PO Box 292, Prahran, VIC, 3181
Remember, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Movember is now in its sixth year and, to date, has achieved some pretty amazing results by working alongside The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCFA) and beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Check out further details at: http://au.movemberfoundation.com/research-and-programs.
If you are interested in following the progress of our Mo’s, click here http://au.movember.com/mospace/671/.
I look forward to seeing everyone in the store in Movember! – Toby.
June 27, 2009
Once again, the very popular AUSTA Q Junior Strings festival is being held at Somerville House this August 2009.
The junior strings festival is a non-competitive solo performance opportunity for young string students. Each [performer receives a trophy and a report for their performance and professional accompanists are provided as a festival service.
Dates:
Saturday, 1st August (Sections 1-7)
Sunday, 2nd August (Sections 8-15)
Download the Entry Form Here.
All enquiries, contact Melissa Dineen
June 25, 2009
Directors Christian Bretmaisser, Andrew Robinson and Julie Newport
September sees the reforming of the Queensland Philanthropic Orchestra. With a fantastic repertory this concert will be one to look out for, particularly as all proceeds go towards charity. The confirmed repertoire includes:
Wagner - Meistersinger Overture
Dvorak - Slavonic Dance #8
Ravel - Pavane
Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor (Soloist Julie Newport)
Marquez - Danzon #2
Liadov - Enchanted Lake
Grainger - Children’s March
Tchaikovsky - March Slav
The QPO is still on the lookout for musicians!
Trumpet x 1
Percussion x 1
Violin x 7
Cello x 1
If you would like to play with them please contact Susan de Weger
The Queensland Philanthropic Orchestra is a unique, exciting and positive philanthropic initiative that in the first year raised over $16,000 for a Queensland charity.
The orchestra brings together musicians from all spectrums of life, many of whom manage full time professional careers. Under the leadership of a world class conductor, these high-calibre performances symbolise the spirit of philanthropy – working together, united by the desire to give to the community in which these people belong for the benefit of others. |
June 25, 2009
SUNDAY 28 JUNE
11.30am, The Long Room
Admission Free
Patricia Pollett will move you with the viola interpretation of Richard Strauss’ intimate Morgen. Pianist Stephen Emmerson joins her for some Australian music by Elena Kats Chernin (Interludes) and Mark Isaacs (Night Songs). With a string quartet, they play Turina’s Spanish flavoured Scéne Andalouse. UQ graduate violinist Melinda Stocker and pianist Lana Hickson also play music by Debussy and Fazil Say.
Patricia Pollett is one of Australia’s leading string players. Formerly violist in the much recorded Italian string ensemble I Solisti Veneti, Patricia Pollett has studied with major international pedagogues including Peter Schidlof (Amadeus Quartet) and Bruno Giuranna (Berlin). A graduate of the University of Adelaide, Patricia has won numerous awards and competitions, including a Churchill Fellowship and an Australia Council International Study Grant. Always interested in new music for the viola, Patricia has commissioned and performed several new solo works by leading Australian composers, recorded several CDs, and is a founder member of the contemporary ensemble Perihelion. She was honoured for this work in 2004 with an APRA Australian Music Centre Classical Music Award for the Most Distinguished Contribution to the Presentation of Australian Composition by an Individual. She is in demand as a teacher, giving master classes for leading education institutions in Australia and overseas. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland.
May 19, 2009
See us at the Maryborough Music Conference
Saturday 11th July – 15th July
Maryborough Music Conference 2009 is open to Instrumental Music Teachers, Primary and Secondary Classroom Music Teachers, General Primary and Secondary Teachers, University Students, Community Choral and Band Directors and their members and anyone interested in Music, Dance and Media Education.
Click here to visit the website.
If you would like to see something on our stand that interests you and haven’t been able to get into our store, let us know. See you there!
April 20, 2009
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