ACO Education Programs
The ACO’s National Education Program aims to provide outstanding musical experiences to students across Australia.
Through the following programs we hope to provide students and young musicians with both the tools and the inspiration to continue their lifelong musical journey.
Emerging Artists Program
Each year the ACO will identify a number of promising graduate level music students from across Australia and give them the opportunity to develop a special “mentoring” relationship with an ACO player.
The students will have individual instruction from their mentors, attend closed ACO rehearsals and performances in their state, and undergo coaching in audition preparation and technique. The focus is on preparing emerging musicians for all aspects of life in a professional orchestra. The opportunities afforded to players through the Emerging Artists Program will actively contribute to the future vitality of the ACO and enrich Australia’s musical life.
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Schools' Ticketing Program
The ACO Schools’ Program is aimed at providing increased access to ACO concerts for secondary school students. For the $18 ticket price students receive:
- Best available seating at an ACO subscription series concert
- Complimentary program
- An ACO Season CD
Teachers’ tickets are available at the subsidised price of $36 and each school receives a detailed set of Music Notes to help prepare students for the concert.
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Parramatta String Players
The Parramatta String Players is a three-year ongoing project in which ACO players and members of its Emerging Artists Program work with talented string players from the City of Parramatta and surrounding areas. Students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and attend concerts and open rehearsals, creating a special relationship with these world-class players. The project is designed to assist the growth of the arts in Parramatta and to contribute to the overall standard of string playing in the area.
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Combined Schools Workshops
The ACO Combined Schools Workshops are run each year to bring together talented young string players from a number of schools with members of the ACO and its Emerging Artists program. Under the expert guidance of ACO and Emerging Artists musicians, students participate in small group rehearsals, masterclasses and tutorials and then come together to present an informal performance for friends and family.
Workshops are run all over Australia, both in Regional and Metropolitan centres.
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Open Rehearsal for Students with a Disability
Monday 24 November, 2008, 2pm-3pm
The ACO hosts an annual private rehearsal for children with special needs. After the rehearsal, the students are invited to meet the players. This program is run in conjunction with International Day for People with a Disability.
For more information and to register, please contact Vicki Stanley (Education Manager) on vicki.stanley@aco.com.au.
Open Rehearsals for Schools Students
Monday 28 July, 2008, 2pm-3pm
The ACO will open its doors to schools students from NSW for a special insight into how this world class orchestra rehearses and prepares for its National Touring circuit. After the rehearsal, the students are invited to meet the players.
For more information and to register for this event, please contact Vicki Stanley (Education Manager) on vicki.stanley@aco.com.au.
Special Education Events
In addition to these programs, special one off events are held at different venues.
In September 2005 the Orchestra joined forces with Captain Starlight to perform a concert in the Starlight Room at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. In August 2006 a concert was performed for Abmusic, an organisation which trains young Aboriginal and Islander people for participation in the music industry. During their residency with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2006 the ACO conducted a masterclass for promising young string players in Kuala Lumpur.