Please welcome our new strings convenors, Ellen Hird and Arzoo Patel. Thank you to both of you for taking over this exciting job.

It’s been wonderful meeting all of the families and hearing the kids’ progress over the years. I’ll still be around, but please now direct all questions to Ellen and Arzoo.

Update your child’s class details

It is very important that we know which class your child is in. Please log into your parent portal and update the class name, and any other contact details that may have changed.

https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

FAQs

Why was my child given the cello and not the violin?

A string ensemble needs the right balance between violins, violas, cellos and double basses. An orchestra also needs the right balance. If our ensembles are made up of 25 violins and one cello, that is not a proper ensemble and we would not be competitive in competitions.

At the end of last year, or the beginning of this year, when your child was assessed, she or he was given the cello because we determined that they had the extra height or strength needed to play this beautiful instrument. Stick with it, even if it is for just one year. Give it a go – I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

And if it ends up not being right, you can always get violin lessons outside of school!

Does my child need to have an instrument lesson every week?

Yes.

Every child in the strings program (and band program) has an instrument lesson every week. This is a requirement of the program.

Year 3 and all Training Strings – these children have small group lessons, usually 3 or 4 students in the same room with the same teacher at the same time every week. Here they will learn scales, technique, note-reading, and small pieces.

Year 4 or higher ensembles – these students attend one-on-one, or private, lessons with one teacher. They will continue scales and exercises, and maybe plan for AMEB exams.

 Ensembles – in addition to the lessons above, all students attend their regular larger groups that we call ensembles once a week. These times are listed below. These have about 30 children in them and they all learn the same piece, often in preparation for a performance throughout the year. Attendance at ensembles is compulsory. Mr Mansukhani is the conductor for all ensembles.

Does the instrument lesson need to be at Artarmon Public School?

No. You are welcome to go to instrument lessons with a tutor outside of the school, and some people prefer this if they want lessons after school. But your tutor will need to write a report twice a year.

Ensemble rehearsals:

        Training Strings:               Tuesdays lunchtime STARTS TERM 2

        Junior Strings:                  7:45-8:45am Tuesdays, school hall

        Concert Strings:               7:45-8:45 Thursdays, school hall

        Senior Strings:                 3-4pm Tuesdays, music room

        Orchestra:                       7:50-8:50am Wednesdays, music room

Volunteer roles

We are still looking to fill some roles for the committee. See the following list for vacancies. Seriously consider joining – it’s a fun group and a great way to be involved in your child’s musical development. 

Thank you to all those parents who have stepped up to fill in some roles.

We will be having a committee meeting in a few weeks, so watch this space.

Committee Positions

Training Strings Coordinator – Jenny Wang

Junior Strings Coordinator – Karen P’ng

Concert Strings Coordinator – Vandana Vasudevan

Senior Strings Coordinator – Ada Pan

Orchestra Coordinator – VACANT

Instruments Coordinator – Joanne Wang

Assistant Instrument Coordinators – Ji Deng

Creative Kids Voucher assistant – Angie Wong

Secretary – VACANT

Strings Treasurer – stringstreasurer@gmail.com

Strings Convenor – strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

Ellen Hird and Arzoo Patel