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
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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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
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
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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
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
Wednesday 1 December 2010, 2.15pm to 3.15pm
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.
Tuesday 9 November, 2010 - 2pm to 3.30pm
Venue: ACO Studio, Opera Quays, 2 East Circular Quay – Sydney
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.
Applications close Friday 17 September
Special Education Events
In addition to these programs, special one off events are held at different venues.
A schools concert with the ACO Quartet will be held in Rockhampton on Friday 18 June, 2 - 3pm. To register your students for this event, please fill out the application form.
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.