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.

Download 2010 Education Events Calendar
Download 2011 Education Events Calendar

Read the latest Patrons' Newsletter, reporting on the ACO's education work.

Emerging Artists Program

Each year the ACO identifies a number of promising graduate level music students from across Australia and gives them the opportunity to develop a special “mentoring” relationship with an ACO player.

The students has individual instruction from their mentors, attends closed ACO rehearsals and performances in their state, and undergoes 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 actively contributes to the future vitality of the ACO and enriches Australia’s musical life. Learn More

ACO Schools' Ticketing Program

The ACO Schools’ Program is aimed at providing increased access to ACO concerts for secondary school students. For the $19 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 $38 and each school receives a detailed set of Music Notes to help prepare students for the concert. Learn more

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. Learn more

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. Learn more

Open Rehearsal for Students with a Disability

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

2010
Wednesday 1 December 2010, 2.15pm - 3.15pm
Venue: ACO Studio, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay – Sydney

2011
Wednesday 30 November 2011, 2pm - 3pm
Venue: ACO Studio, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay – Sydney

For more information and to register, please contact Vicki Stanley (Education Manager) on vicki.stanley@aco.com.au.

Open Rehearsals for Schools Students

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. There will be a special introduction to the program and after the rehearsal, the students are invited to meet the players.

2010
Tuesday 9 November, 2010 - 2pm - 3.30pm
ACO Studio, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay – Sydney
Applications close Friday 17 September, 2010

2011
Tuesday 15 November, 2011 - 2pm - 3.30pm
ACO Studio, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay – Sydney
Applications close Friday 12 August, 2011

Resource materials are also available for teachers to use leading up to this rehearsal. Please go to the Music Notes page and download the notes for Tour 7.

To register your students for this event, please fill out the application form, or contact Vicki Stanley (Education Manager) on vicki.stanley@aco.com.au for more information.

ACO & The Australian Children's Music Foundation

In 2010 and 2011, an ACO ensemble will visit the Matraville Soldiers Settlement School in south-eastern Sydney, to support the existing ACMF school music program. The players will perform a short concert for the students, and participate in music games during their visit. This exciting partnership will see primary school students in this area experience the ACO's brilliance and inspiration in their own school yard!

The ACMF has been running a weekly music program at Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School for the last three years. Previously there was no music taught at the school. Each week, two talented teachers motivate over 400 children with a variety of different music techniques. The school now boasts a choir of over 190 children.

Picton Strings

In 2011, the ACO begins a new three-year program in Picton in Sydney's South-West. This initiative continues the ACO's committment to identifying, supporting and developing school string programs in rural and regional areas throughout Australia. The ACO will assist inthe establishment of a sustainable string program in the area by providing top quality string orchestra training for students in the Wollondilly Shire.

The first and second years of the program will involve three annual orchestral workshops with the Picton Strings and a performance by an ACO ensemble who will also perform for the community. The young musicians will receive invitations to ACO2 Open Rehearsals at the ACO Studio.

In the third and final year, there will be a special project involving a community collaboration in Wollondilly Shire and a combined concert at the end of the year.

This program is available to string players in a nd around Wollondilly Shire. For information on how to join the Picton Strings, please contact Vicki Stanley, ACO Education Manager.

Schools Concerts

Whilst on it regional touring circuit, ACO2 presents special 45 minute concerts for school 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 contemporarty repertoire.

Resources for 2011 concerts will be available to accompany these concerts from the beginning of Term 4, 2010, and can be downloaded from the Music Notes page. They contain analysis of the works performed and exercises that students can work through in class.

To register your students for these events, please refer to the booking details below.

2011

South Australia

Mt Gambier
Monday 4 April 2011, 10.30am
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
08 8723 8741
helpmanntheatre.com.au

Noarlunga
Tuesday 12 April 2011, 1.30pm
Hopgood Theatre
08 8207 3975
hopgoodtheatre.com.au

Renmark
Monday 11 April 2011, 10.30am
Chaffey Theatre
08 8586 1800
chaffeytheatre.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.