President’s Report 2010 - Rosemary Evenhuis

In 2010 we had a very successful Adult Chamber Music day at the

Conservatorium. We also had a weekend of chamber music for students at
Collegiate.

Our two student concerts were well attended with a wide range of pieces
performed. These are good opportunities for students to perform in front of an
audience.

Unfortunately we did not have much in the way of professional development,

though the TMTA conference in March was very interesting. Brendan attended
the Colourstrings Conference in Brisbane and shared some of his insights with us
in November. Hopefully AUSTATAS will be able to develop more professional
development and master classes, technique workshops etc in 2011.

The new national president is John Quaine and the new website developed by
Andrew Patrick is very good. Please log on and use it to register yourself as a
teacher, buy instruments, and look at events in other states. The national
conference will be held in Melbourne in 2012 and will feature Mark Woods as
presenter. Please try to get along to that.

In the wider musical community, it has been good to see the develop of yet
another string group in the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra, the Strings Alive at the
Conservatorium, the Stringalong program on the North West coast. We have also
had chamber music at Collegiate, the DSO Strings and Phillip Smith’s Churchill
Fellowship in France.

I am personally sad that we have not yet set up a memorial to Anne Clark, but
have discussed this with Anne Morgan and hopefully this will progress this year.
I will not be continuing as President of AUSTA and have decided to step aside
after six years for some new blood and ideas. I think is will be important to elect
today a President, newsletter editor and national executive representative, as I
have been fulfilling all three roles. Thanks to the Committee for their hard work
during 2011; Audrey for her financial skills, Jo for her chamber music skills, Anita
for organising the concerts. Congratulations to Christine and Paul on the safe
arrival of Jessica and thank you Christine for your minute taking,. Also a big thank
you to Brendan for his computer skills. Virginia and Margaret have also worked
enthusiastically in the north of the state. Thanks to all members who helped out
with events, organising music and tutoring and best wishes for the coming year.

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 Mike Patterson
President 2011

Courtenay and I have been welcomed to

Tasmania with warmth that we have found
humbling and energising. As an
optometrist Courtenay has already worked
with a number of local musicians including
Wendy Page (French horn with TSO) and
Nara Dennis with whom I am sure you are
familiar. We initially decided to move
because Courtenay found a job with Total
Eyecare that would allow her to work
alongside the President of the
Optometrists Association of Australia,
Michael Knipe. The move has allowed me
to meet inspirational people in music
education - people whose work I have
been familiar with for years such as Jenny
Thorp and Audrey Akerman. I have also
been privileged to enjoy some casual viola
work with the TSO under Janet Rutherford and some folk music gigs thanks to
Marjorie and Steve Gadd.

My background is in classical violin and viola, having studied with Spiros Rantos
at The University of Queensland. I then pursued gypsy, folk and jazz styles
playing and touring with bands including Doch. Teaching has always been a great
passion of mine and along with my work at schools and at home I have developed
a “Rock Strings Workshop” in conjunction with Shenton Gregory (Shenzo
Gregorio) - www.moonmusic.com.au/rock.

As President of AUSTA Tasmania I would like to know what it means to be a

string musician and teacher in this state, and how we can continue to make
engagement with AUSTA a rewarding experience. Thank you for giving me this
opportunity to work hard on your behalf.

AUSTA values your membership and encourages you to tell others about the
organisation and what it can offer. If you are an existing member please enter the
competition to win a set of strings (see page 5). If you know someone who might
be interested please tell them too!

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 2011 Committee Members
President
Mike Patterson mikeymoon1@gmail.com

Treasurer
Audrey Akerman jakerman3@bigpond.com

Minute Secretary
Courtenay Lind courtenaylind@gmail.com

Newsletter Editor
Paul Blackaby paulblackaby@netspace.net.au

Committee
Anita Schleebs schleebs_aj@hotmail.com
Anna Maguire amaguire@friends.tas.edu.au
Nara Dennis naragary@intas.net.au
Rosemary Evenhuis rosemary.evenhuis@education.tas.gov.au
Margaret Hoban maggieliz.hoban@gmail.com
Virginia de Groot virginia@activ8.net.au

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
2011 Committee 3
Northern Report 4
Competition! 5
Professional Learning 6
Instruments: Buy and Sell 7
Concerts, Activities and Performances 8
Focus on Music 9-16
Derwent Strings 17
Phillip Smith Luthier 18
Visit the new AUSTA website 18
Member Profile – Laura Thomson 19-20
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AUSTA Northern Report 2010
This past year has been a busy year
in the north of the state.
LYCO had 2 workshops, one with
Willem Van der Vis from Melbourne in
July and one with Kevin Cameron
from Adelaide in October. Both these
were very well attended and gave an
orchestral experience to several
members of the Community Band
Program at the University as well.
The orchestra had 2 concerts with a
performance of Mozart’s Paris
Symphony, #31 at the end of year
concert in late November, being a
highlight. It is the first whole
symphony the orchestra has
performed and was a great experience
for all.
conductors were pleased with the
narrower ability range to be
catered for.
Stringalong Club in Burnie has
entered a new phase with the funding
for Margaret Hoban’s involvement
running out. It is now well established
and being entirely locally supported.
Josie Riches and Maria Perez Pulido
will continue on as last year and
Stephanie Perry will be joining the
team. It is now almost entirely self
supporting which is a good
development.
Margaret Hoban
12 February 2011
Residential Summer String Camp

Members of the orchestra helped with

several community groups. The
Evandale singers did Iolanthe with the
pit being largely LYCO members and
Penelope Bruce’s My Voice
production for 2010 in Latrobe was
accompanied by a group from the
LYCO. It is good to see this outreach
into other community groups.

The Residential Summer String Camp

ballooned out to 155 campers and
with all the musical staff and camp
parents etc there were well over 200
people on site for a wonderful week
and 2 fine concerts. The four
orchestras worked well and most
campers found it easy to find the
group they belonged in and the

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5
LYCO Autumn Workshop March 25th – 26th Gordon Dell Auditorium, Glenara Lakes Village
Young Town – Symphony and String Orchestras
more info: www.lyco.org.au/aw

TYO Camp Junior and Intermediate Strings 8th – 10th April

Adult Chamber Music May 7th Ogilvie High School, New Town, Hobart.

Bob Phillips July 18th Evening Professional Learning, Venue; Conservatorium of Music, more
info http://www.phillipsfiddlers.com

Student Chamber Music August 13th /14th Venue TBA

Stephen Chin September 24th and 25th See Advertisement Below

Stephen Chin

Saturday 23rd September – Sunday 24th September

Venue: The Hobart Conservatorium of Music

Would you like to learn how to write effectively for strings?

Do you need to learn more about how to arrange music for strings?

Come and join in the following workshops;

* Writers and Composers are encourage to attend the Writing for Strings workshop
* Workshop for teachers on Intonation
* How to improve technique and motivation with students
* Master class with students Grade 6 and above

Contact Mike Patterson: mike@moonmusic.com.au

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INSTRUMENTS - Buy and Sell
For sale
• Violin – ½ size Genial Violin, Fecit anno 2006, Toplita, Romania. 3 years old, perfect
condition, very good tone. $500, also ….
• Cello – ¼ size with bow and hard case, very good condition, $ 450 Contact Kristin Fulton
6231 6136 or 0407 175 244, or Mark Johnson 0457 509 162
• Violin - ¾ Dolfin. Very good settled student instrument. Two bows, case, and shoulder rest.
$300 (ono) Contact Heather Thompson, Ph 6234 3305.
• Cello – ½ size with bow and bag $450. Contact Fay Johnston 6231 5180 or 0407 612 247
• Cello – ¾ size 1979 Reghin, made in Romania. Soft case, bow spare set of strings and a
donut rest. $1000 or nearest offer. Contact Verity Clarke ph. 6248 5291 or
verityc@netspace.net.au
• Violin – ½ size Skylark, $120. Contact Jenny Thorp, Ph 6243 6732
• Cello - 3/4 Amore, set up by Animato (Brisbane) in 2005, has a hard case and two bows.
$1500 contact doreenbartle@hotmail.com
Wanted
Violin – ¼ size in good condition. Contact Heather Thompson 6234 3305

To advertise on this page please contact Audrey on 6247 8264 or jakerman3@bigpond.com

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 Concerts, Activities & Performances Term 1
• 17-20/3: Westbury St Patricks Festival.

• 30/3, 6pm: New Zealand String Quartet. Beethoven's String Quartet Opus 18 No 5; Gillian
Whitehead's Puhake ki te rangi; Gareth Farr's He Poroporoaki; Smetana's String Quartet No 1 in E
minor "From my life". Venue: St John's Anglican Church, 157 St John Street, Launceston. $41 /
46.

• 1/4, 6pm: Australian Youth Orchestra Wind Quintet: Venue: Great Lake Community Centre, 55-
57 Cider Gum Road, Miena. Free event.

• 2/4, 12:30pm: Australian Youth Orchestra Wind Quintet & Tasmania Youth Orchestra:
Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Orchestra K.297b;
Chaminade's Concertino for Flute & Orchestra in D major Opus 107 (1902); Respighi's Pines of
Rome (1924). TYO Conductor: Simon Reade. Venue: Launceston City Park. Free event.

• 7/4, 8pm: Barry Crocker's Banjo: A musical play including Banjo Patterson's music. $20/25.
Venue: Burnie Regional Art Gallery.

• 10/4, 2.30, Elanee Ensemble Venue Hobart Town Hall : Dittersdorf Sinfonia Concertante with
Hobart Chamber Orchestra

• 14/4, 7:30pm:Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra: Rossini's Semiramide Overture; Strauss's Horn

Concerto No. 1; Britten's Soirées musicales; Respighi's Adagio con variazioni; Schubert's
Symphony No 6. $22/45/59. Venue: Burnie Civic Centre

• 17/4, 2.30pm: Derwent Symphony Orchestra: Overture to Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss;
Violin Concerto No.1, Max Bruch. Soloist: Xinyu Guo. Venue: Hobart Town Hall.

• 1/5, 6pm: Virtuosi Tasmania: Mozart String Quartet - Divertimento. Venue: Hans Vonk Music
House, Spreyton. $30 / 25.

• 15/5, Elanee Ensemble 2.30pm Lilydale, programme tba

• 15/5 Tasmanian Youth Orchestra Town Hall Concert 1.30pm

• 22/5 TYO/Conservatorium Orchestra Concert 2pm, Stanley Burbury Theatre

• 23/5, Elanee Ensemble , 7pm - Collegiate Chamber Music Series, McNeill Performing Arts
Centre, Davey St Hobart, prog tba

• 29/5 Elanee Ensemble, 2.30pm - Launceston Hospital Chapel, prog tba

• 26/6 – 26/7, Hobart Eisteddfod, Town Hall

• 1/7 Elanee Ensemble.10am - Conservatorium Recital Hall. Music by Rachmaninov & Bottesini.
With Karen Smithies, piano

• 30/9 – 3/10, Clarence Eisteddfod Prize winners concert, 16th Oct.

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 Focus on Music…
12 Curtain Raisers - Stephen Chin
• Grade 1
• String Orchestra (including optional vln 3 part) + piano.
Also works as Solo Violin + Piano. Solo violin part is included.
• Various keys including 0, 1, 2, 3 sharps
• www.everythingstring.com

These are short, fun pieces so you could use a pair or trio of them in a concert situation. There are
plenty of techniques, moods, textures to explore but all pieces are approachable for your level 1
ensemble. AUSTA members played through this work and thoroughly enjoyed it. The piano part
adds a lot to the performance, especially in the slower pieces, but is not essential. Stephen often
includes a CD of the piano part but it is unclear whether this is the case here.

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 Two Postcards from Beijing - Stephen Chin
• Grade 1.5
• String Orchestra (including optional vln 3 part) + piano.
• E minor
• www.everythingstring.com

Beautiful work in two parts, "Jasmine Nights" and "Dragon Fire" - both are harmonically
pleasing with frequent use of dissonance and resolution within a tonal language that is
primarily pentatonic. "Jasmine Nights" is slower with use of tremolo textures. Melodic
interest is distributed amongst the instruments except the double bass (although the bass
part is quite active and interesting in "Dragon Fire").

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 Frantic - Stephen Chin
• Grade 3
• String Orchestra (including optional vln 3 part) + piano.
• G minor
• www.everythingstring.com

This work was particularly popular amongst AUSTA participants. A lively Allegro Molto work,
with plenty of quaver passages for all sections. First violins will need confidence in third position.

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 Goed Zo! - Nerida Oostenbroek
Grade 3
String Orchestra
D minor
www.simplyforstrings.com.au

The title means "well done!" in Dutch which is the native tongue of the composer's
father. This work was popular amongst AUSTA players. Students will need to switch
between the duple 6/8 and triple 3/4 feels (although an actual time signature change is
not always written). The "B" section is Tranquillo in 2/4 and features a legato melody in
the celli and basses. First violins and celli will need to be confident in third position

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 Stormbird - Keith Sharp
Grade 2 (ish)
String Orchestra (including optional vln 3 part) + piano.
D minor with some blues-style chromaticism
www.musichouse.com.au

Plenty of scope for exploring rhythms and rhythmic interplay in this piece. Confidence with
interpretation and performance style seem crucial to give this piece a "funky" feel as indicated by
the composer. Although the notes in this piece are not hard, and no instruments are required to go
above first position, a more mature ensemble could make this a great show-piece.

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 La Vita Bella - Loreta Fin
Grade 1.5 - 2
String Orchestra + piano.
D minor
www.wilfin.com.au

This is an enjoyable piece in tango style - best played with a rose-stem between the teeth. The
melody is mainly played by the violins, while the remaining instruments provide a staccato
accompaniment in straight crotchets and then later in quavers. The violas and celli have some
melodic interest later in the work. Construction is more straightforward than in Stormbird, with little
interplay between parts aside from the occasional harmonisation of the melody.

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 Five Little Grooves - Michael Patterson
Grade 1 - 2
String Orchestra (including optional vln 3 part) + piano + backing track.
various keys from 1 to 3 sharps
www.moonmusic.com.au

This collection is not officially part of the 2011 Reading folders but was introduced to Tasmanian AUSTA
members for the first time. It has proven popular in Queensland and was well received at the Tasmanian
reading day. This collection of short pieces provides improvisation opportunities, and extended techniques
within the genres or rock and jazz. The easiest "grooves" are numbers 1, 3 and 5. Number 2 is the most
difficult. The backing tracks are professionally mastered and use real instruments.

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 Four Little Pieces - Timo Jarvela
Grade 0.5 - 1
String Orchestra + Piano (scored violin, viola, cello, bass, piano so there is no second violin part)
D Major and A Major
www.simplyforstrings.com.au

Simple and effective pieces in unison for the strings, except for the double bass which switches
between melody and bass functions. Great for your beginner ensemble.

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 The Derwent Strings
Friendly, Fun and Flourishing

The DSO Training Orchestra, now Derwent

Strings was formed in 2009 to encourage the
training and development of beginner string
players or those returning to orchestral playing.
Players are encouraged to develop technique
and confidence in preparation for joining the
Derwent Symphony Orchestra.

A diversity of conducting styles and repertoire, family friendly environment and workshops has
combined to enable the first recruits to join the DSO.

Each term includes a tutorial day and an end of term concert. In 2010, Willem van der Vis
conducted the orchestra for one rehearsal. Tasmanian composer, Damien Holloway has written
a work for the DSTO (Canzonetta) and is the assistant conductor for the orchestra.

Grant Bewick, our esteemed conductor, combines the attributes of technical proficiency, a sense
of humour and flexibility to inspire learning, fun and enthusiasm.

The Derwent Strings meet on Tuesday evenings at the Undercroft, Elizabeth College, North
Hobart. Rehearsals are from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Term One (12 rehearsals) has begun and will end
on May 3rd. Players are of Grade 3 standard and above and older beginners are welcomed.

For further information, please contact:

Colin Baldwin
Email: Baldwin.colin@gmail.com
Home: 62444661
Mobile: 0407 862 905

Nicky Lawrence
Email: nickyandrewl@hotmail.com
Home: 62391175
Mobile: 0400 517 819

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Philip Smith specializes in the making of superbly
crafted bows and instruments using traditional
techniques and materials. As a musician and
craftsmen, Philip combines knowledge, experience
and ‘feel’ for his craft, to create beautiful,
responsive and robust bows/instruments, made with
the commissioning musician in mind.

Philip sells, services, repairs and restores stringed

instruments and bows from across nationally.

175 St John St Launceston TAS 7250

Philip was awarded a Churchill
Fellowship 2010: to gain first hand
knowledge in traditional bow making
techniques from Master craftsmen -
France
Ph 61 3 63341116 Mob 0439315215
Web: www.philipsmithluthier.com.
Blog: www.philipsmithluthier.blogspot.com
Email: luthier@bigpond.com

The New AUSTA Website!

www.austa.asn.au
If you are already a member, it is free to register your details.

Austa is now a networking site to:

• Find a string teacher

• Register as a string teacher so people can find you!
• Sell your instrument
• Find an instrument for sale
• Read reviews of concerts, books, CDs
• Find an orchestra to play in
• Find a trio, quartet or other chamber group
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 Hi, my name is Laura Thomson. I
am a freelance violinist living in
Hobart, Tasmania. I originally
came from New Zealand, which
explains the funny accent (haha)
and after talks with a few wise
Kiwi musicians, after highschool - I
decided it was best to study in
Australia. I found Michele Walsh,
a wonderful teacher who is the
HOD of the String Dept. at the
Queensland Conservatorium of
Music - and happily lept over the
ditch to study with her. In 2002 I
completed my BMUS. I grew to
love my life in Australia and
so after a short stint with overseas
study (indeed,I have a tasted the
culture of Europe -
having attended masterclasses at
the Mozarteum in Salzburg,
Austria, lessons in Vienna and
study at the Guildhall in London) I
decided to stay on and continue living in Australia. Firstly I moved to
Melbourne to do further study at ANAM in Melbourne, then I
started freelancing with various professional Symphony Orchestra's around
Australia and teaching.

As a teacher, I have taught music briefly at Marcellin Boys College in

Melbourne and have mentored as part of the Queensland Young
Conservatorium String Programme. Mostly I have taught privately throughout
my time in Australia. Teaching privately has complimented my passion for
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chamber music and orchestral performance. I find teaching a most
rewarding experience. I particularly love that I can pass on the joy and
excitement of performance and music-making to the next generation - they
are the true future of music.

Two years ago I moved to Tasmania with my partner (who is a Tasmanian).

Since the big move, I haven't look back - Tasmania has offered me a wealth
of wonderful music opportunities and a fantastic lifestyle. I have built up my
teaching business, I have done frequent work with the Tasmanian Symphony
Orchestra, Strings on Fire, and Virtuosi Tasmania - and through these
opportunities, I have seen some of Tasmania's most beautiful vineyards,
concerthalls, art galleries, and private residences.

Last year, after a successful string quartet tour with Virtuosi Tasmania - we
were approached to make a CD of the concert programme (Beethoven
Sextet/Mendellsohn String Quartet no.2). This CD was recorded in the
Government House Ballroom and was publicly released for sale just before
Christmas 2010. It has since been played on ABC Classic FM. The string
quartet involved (now named Lucida Quartet), has plans for further
collaborations. We recently performed in Hobart's Federational Hall for the
7HO FM Queensland Flood Relief Charity Concert and we will be performing
another concert tour around Tasmania in the coming month (performing
Haydn String Quartet Op.20 no.2/Aeolus- Davison/Schumann String Quartet
no.2). Not long after this tour we will be performing live for an ABC Sunday
Live Broadcast.

In my spare time I love to listen to jazz, cook, I am a keen fruit and vegetable
gardener. I also love to watch movies and go for rides on my bicycle.

If you are interested in contributing an article, concert review, CD review or

other material that may be interesting to string players or teachers please
email the AUSTA Tasmania newsletter editor, Paul Blackaby:
paulblackaby@netspace.net.au

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