Thinking about forever...

Project Case Study

In 2010, the Parramatta String Players worked with leading artists to create the themes for this work for dance and orchestra. We are thrilled to announce that this work will be performed twice in the 2011 Sydney Festival, in Parramatta on 21 January and Penrith on 23 January. The Parramatta String Players will share the stage with the ACO and the Sydney Dance Company for this unique event.

Thinking about Forever... is a major new performance piece by Australia's most exciting young composer, Matthew Hindson, and choreographer Kay Armstrong, in collaboration with Western Sydney's best young dancers and classical musicians. Six months of inspiring workshops and rehearsals culminated in a performance in September 2010 at Riverside Theatres by the ACO, youMove Dance Company with selected students from the Department of Education and Training, Western Sydney Region DANCE OFF! Camps and the Parramatta String Players.

For Teachers
Teachers are invited to download resources including a clip of the new work for their students to create their own composition or choreography. These resources outline the creative process that has gone into Thinking about Forever..., including exercises for students. You can then link this with discussions and projects around Sustainability and what it means to your students, just like the students involved in this performance did.

Thinking about Forever... Resources

Music clip

If you have any problems downloading the resources or music clip, please contact Sarah Conolan on 02 8274 3871 or at sarah.conolan@aco.com.au.

Bellingen Youth Orchestra

In 2007, Richard Tognetti and ACO2 visited Bellingen to perform at Bellingen High School for over 500 high school students. The concert was an audiovisual feast and included Musica Surfica, an award-winning film about music and surfing. The event gave regional students an experience of music few will forget.

Inspired by this visit, local teachers Ann Phelan and Liz Scott established a youth orchestra, which is now flourishing and growing every year. The orchestra now has its own uniforms, won the Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod in 2008 and performed their first concert in 2009.

The ACO is pleased to continue its support of this wonderful community orchestra through repeated visits by ACO2 in 2008, 2010 and beyond.