Here at Simply for Strings we’re getting a little bit excited about all the great things happening in the International string world. Earlier this week, the details of the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival were released and boy, does it look a treat! With a great line-up with the likes of Frans Helmerson, Steven Isserlis, Ronald Leonard, Miklós Perényi, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Jian Wang and Alisa Weilerstein together with six of Piatigorsky’s outstanding former students: Laurence Lesser, Mischa Maisky, Jeffrey Solow, Nathaniel Rosen, Raphael Wallfisch and Terry King; we’re feeling just about ready to book flights to Los Angeles!

The Festival will fill 9 days of indepth masterclasses and recitals, eventuating to a performance by the L.A. Philharmonic and Weilerstein performing Tchaikovsky and Respighi.

Visit The Piatigorsky Cello Festival website for more details

Ernest V. Llewellyn Scholarships

Annual awards for string players

Following Ernest Llewellyn’s death in 1982 this Fund was established by a group of his friends and colleagues to honour his life and work, and has as its principal objective the advancement of string playing in Australia. Annual awards provide support for young string players wishing to undertake advanced studies, or to attend masterclasses, workshops or seminars such as AYO programs, in Australia and overseas.

The late Ernest Llewellyn CBE had a distinguished musical career as one of Australia’s most notable violinists, as well as a conductor, chamber music performer and teacher. For 16 years he was concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1965 he was appointed Founding Director of the Canberra School of Music, and Musical Director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, positions he held for 15 years. Ernest Llewellyn was involved in many programs presented by the Australian Youth Orchestra, in particular as tutor, soloist and director at the AYO National Music Camps.

How to apply for a study or travel grant from the Ernest V. Llewellyn Memorial Fund

String players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) aged up to 28 may apply for a grant to support travel and study costs associated with further musical training in Australia and overseas. You do not need to be an applicant or participant in AYO programs to be eligible to apply.

To apply for a Ernest V. Llewellyn Memorial Fund Study & Travel Scholarship please complete the application form and submit it to AYO by Friday 25 November 2011.

BAM Release New Hightech ‘Slim’ Series for Violin

The sail-shaped SLIM 2000XL violin case is the newest case in BAM’s popular Hightech line. It shares many features and a minimalist aesthetic with the BAM Contoured Hightech. Fabric-covered injection-molded foam blocks suspend the instrument inside the multilayered ABS plastic shell. The lid opens to a 90-degree angle and closes with a water-proof tongue-in-groove valence. The latches on this case lock with re-settable combination locks—no fear of accidental opening or a jealous colleague pilfering your precious Peccatte bow! The case holds a full-sized violin and two bows with a small detachable accessories pouch. The pouch may or may not accommodate your shoulder rest, so if you’re dedicated to carrying it inside this minimalist case, you should make sure it fits before purchasing.