What to wear:
ALL BLACK PERFORMANCE CLOTHES
- No tracksuits
- No white socks
- No pyjamas
- No thongs
- No hoodies
- No hats
Arrival times:
- JCO & SCO arrive at 5:15pm.
- ALL other performers arrive at 6:15pm.
What to bring:
- Music stand (labelled)
- Sheet music
- Instrument
The Concerto in E major is difficult to date. As so often, we are missing any sources written by Bach himself. Like the 'Brandenburg' concertos, it probably originates from Köthen, a vibrant court where the tone was set by instrumental music. But it could also date from Leipzig, where from 1730 Bach led the local Collegium Musicum, with whom he performed a lot of secular music in the famous Café Zimmermann. Whatever the case may be, we can assume that the scanty couple of surviving violin concertos are merely the tip of the iceberg, and that numerous other orchestral works have been lost or still await discovery.
Bach based the piece on the Venetian concerto model in three movements, but gave it his own twist, as each movement has an un-Italian characteristic. For instance, the Allegro was given an ABA structure, like most of the Baroque arias, whereby the first section returns with great embellishment after a contrasting second section. And like in many of Bach’s arias, the soloist frees himself from the ensemble ‘before his turn’, in brief anticipation of his solo.
The final movement resumes the exuberant mood of the opening to the rhythm of a passepied – a three-part Baroque dance. It is a refrain with couplets, a rondo, which is a form seldom seen in concertos. It is perfectly proportioned. The refrain and the couplets consist of sixteen bars, except for the last couplet, which is twice as long. Bach uses this extra space to follow a remote harmonic path, repeating the catchy theme once again, after a breathtaking gap.
Featuring Roy Zhang as soloist
Roy is currently in year 7 at Carey Grammar.
Roy started learning the violin in 2018 in Prep. (Audrey To 2018 - 2019) (Christine 2020 - 2022) (Trent 2023 - present)
Roy was a member of the Junior Chamber Orchestra since 2021 and the joined the Senior Chamber Orchestra in 2024
Roy's past solo performances include:
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Millionaires hoedown by Herman Clebanoff (2023)
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Czardas by Vittorio Monti (2024)
- Soloist (Violin 1): Violin Concerto for two violins RV 522 by Antonio Vivaldi with the JCO (2024)
- Soloist: Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi (Summer III: Presto) with the SCO (2024)
Roy performs on his own violin made in 1923 by Ernst Heinrich Roth and a pernambuco bow made by Matthias R. Penzel.
Soloist: Roy Zhang
Violin 1: Olga Chen, Kate Choi, Oliver Lu
Violin 2: Claire Dai (P), Isabelle Kok, Claudia Kok, Cleo Iakovdis, Hazel Shu, Olivia Teoh
Viola: Sean Tseng
Cello: Lachlan Zhou (P), Zoe Vom Kolke, Ezekiel Khoo
Antonio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) wrote 27 concertos for solo cello. At the time, the instrument was in its infancy, and it was unusual for great composers to write works specifically for solo cello. Indeed, none of the concertos were published during Vivaldi’s lifetime: they had been written specially for his young female students at the Ospedale della Pietà, where the composer was employed in Venice, and were therefore not widely known. However, Vivaldi clearly saw the potential in the new instrument, otherwise he would not have gone on to write so much material for it; after the violin and bassoon, it is his third most popular solo concerto instrument.
The sheer number of concertos allows the full emotional range of the cello to be explored, though Vivaldi stays relatively low in its register, fully exploiting the instrument’s rich and sonorous bass. Contrary to popular beliefs that Vivaldi is repetitive, the concertos are packed with Baroque innovations; virtuosic passages feature lively arpeggios, rapid semiquavers and much rhythmic diversity. This period also saw a heightened use of syncopation, and a real emphasis on melody rather than the monodic music that had preceded it: we see this through Vivaldi’s employment of arpeggio, progression, augmentation and ornamental variation.
Featuring Noel Zhang as soloist
Noel is currently in grade 4 at Carey Grammar.
Noel started learning the cello in 2020 in Prep. (Zachary Armstrong 2020 - 2021) (Trent 2022 - present)
Noel has been a member of the Junior Chamber Orchestra since 2024
Noel's past solo performances include:
- Eisteddfod prize winner: La Folia by Antonio Vivaldi (2023)
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Humoresque by Antonín Dvořák (2024)
Noel performs on a 1/4 size KG 80 cello.
Soloist: Noel Zhang
Violin 1: Jared Goh (P), Alice Zhong, Mia Chen
Violin 2: Levina Poon (P), Sophie Teh, Tiaa Poh, Lori Li*
Viola: Jeremy Lu, Grace Diao*
Cello: Zechariah Khoo
Performing Goblin Feast by Keith Sharp and Natalie Sharp
(2 min)
'Energetic and growling music that tells a captivating story within an exciting rhythmic texture. Just what are those Goblins cooking up in their pot?'
Performing Soul to Keep by Keith Sharp and Natalie Sharp
(2 min)
Violin: Jingsen Duan, Kai Murray, Leona Zhang, Maia Ng, Ayla Ng, Sienna Yan, Zachary Chung, Sophie Yim, Olivia Parkins, Ayesha Kumar, Sofia Tsz Yau Pang
Absent: Kai Murray
Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 8am
Performing Action Movie by Kathy Blackwell
(2 min)
Performing Cap'n Jack's Hornpipe by Kathy Blackwell
(2 min)
Violin 1: Abigail Cheung, Elu Silva Li, Anna Lin, Ashleen Kaur, Bowen Shi, Zane Gao
Violin 2: Reanna Tseng, Olive Yip, Charlie Tseng, Lucas Hao, Emily Foong, Prisha Sodhani, Serah Ni
Violin 3: Oliver Liang, Wiliam Khou, Avesta Tila, Asher Cheung, Christabelle Efendi
Cello: Avina Rohani-Zadeh, Estelle Li
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Fridays 8am
Oliver was the standout solo performance from 180 students at the semester 2 performance grading on the 15th of June placing first and received a perfect score of 15/15. Oliver will be performing Danse Espagnole by Fritz Kreisler (AMUSA).
Oliver is currently in year 7 at Kingswood College on a music scholarship.
Oliver started learning the violin in 2021 in grade 3. (Becca 2021 - 2022) (Trent 2022 - present)
Oliver was a member of the Junior Chamber Orchestra since 2021 and the joined the Senior Chamber Orchestra in 2024
Oliver's past solo performances include:
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Chanson triste by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (2022)
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Theme from Schindler's List by John Williams (2023)
- Soloist (Violin 2): Violin Concerto for two violins RV 522 by Antonio Vivaldi with the JCO (2023)
- Soloist: Violin concerto in D minor (I. Allegro) by Felix Mendelssohn with the JCO (2024)
- Soloist: Holberg Suite (V. Rigaudon) by Edvard Grieg with the JCO (2024)
Oliver performs on his own c. 1880 violin labeled, "Joseph Gagliano filius Nicolai fecit Neap. 1790'' and a W. Seifert pernambuco bow on loan.
Lucas Hao - Rory O’more (Fiddle time runners)
Johan Choo - Plesiosaurs and first base (Preliminary Grade)
Isabel Ho - The enchanted forest (Preliminary Grade)
Ellie Yeung - Danza Hellencia (Grade 3)
Jeremy Lu - Spy time rag (Grade 3)
Sophie Teh - Come Dance with me (Grade 3)
Jared Goh - Happy Birthday (Grade 6)
Performing Rondino by Fritz Kreisler
Rondino for violin and orchestra by the composer and violinist Fritz Kreisler was written in acknowledgement of a brief Rondo in G major for violin and piano composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Originally intended as the final movement of Beethoven’s Wind Octet in E flat major, the composer abandoned this idea and published the work in 1808 without an opus number. In Rondino, Kreisler takes Beethoven’s principle theme in a completely different direction, supplementing it with accompanying and contrasting passages of his own composition.
(3 min)
Performing Postcards from Russia by Carrie Lane Gruselle
‘This thrilling set of three Russian folk tunes will put your players (and audience) through their paces! Using a wide variety of dynamics, articulations, and tempi, three 3 tunes - Minka; Meadowland and Korobushka, run the emotional gamut from melancholy to pure exuberance!.'
(2 min)
Violin 1: Ryan Darestani (P), Ellie Shiyun Yeung, Kienan Teoh
Violin 2: Routong Zhao (P), Senuri Godevithanage, Ellie Yan, Annabel Wan, Ryder Cheng
Violin 3: Ada Kentler
Cello: Jayden Yeung
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Sundays 3:00pm
Performing Postcards from Russia by Carrie Lane Gruselle
‘This thrilling set of three Russian folk tunes will put your players (and audience) through their paces! Using a wide variety of dynamics, articulations, and tempi, three 3 tunes - Minka; Meadowland and Korobushka, run the emotional gamut from melancholy to pure exuberance!.'
(2 min)
Performing Fiddle Fever by Keith Sharp
‘With its joyful character and memorable, intertwining lines, Fiddle Fever is certain to be contagious as it spreads from students to audiences. The theme and countermelody are passed around the group.'
(2 min)
Violin 1: Alice Zhong (P), Levina Poon (P), Crosby Whitbread, Xiong Loh, Maheli Widana
Violin 2: Serah Sun (P), Isabel Ho, Matthew Kang, Shawn Zhang, Amber Wu
Violin 3: Mia Huang (P), Connor Tan, Sisi Chuang, Tabitha Allen, Zoe Tran, Jessica Liu
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Fridays 11am
Performing Crossing Pirates' Cove by Deborah Baker Monday
Filled with all the drama and excitement of a pirate movie, this one calls for the dark key of D minor. Written with enough imagination to capture your attention.
(3 min)
Performing Gamelan Groove by Doug Spata
This piece consists of easy two-measure phrases with layered pizzicato throughout creating fun and funky textures. Using only the notes of the D and A strings (basses go up to open G), this piece will help young ensembles gain confidence playing and note reading without the bow.
(2 min)
Violin 1: Ethan Li (P), Estelle Chieng, Amelia Wong
Violin 2: Meenaksi Sumi Deepak (P), Camille Lee, Ayden Tang
Violin 3: Eliza Macut, Abby Yu
Absent: Abby Yu, Ayden Tang
Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays 1:30pm
Kate was a standout solo performance from 180 students at the semester 2 performance grading on the 15th of June placing second and received a perfect score of 15/15. Kate will be performing Souvenir de Sarasate by Wm H. Potstock (Grade 7)
Kate is currently in year 9 at MLC.
Kate started learning the violin in 2018 in grade 2. (Trent 2018 - 2025)
Kate was a member of the Junior Chamber Orchestra since 2020 and joined the Senior Chamber Orchestra in 2022.
Kate's past solo performances include:
- Soloist: Violin Concerto in G major, RV 310 by Antonio Vivaldi with the JCO (2022)
- Soloist: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K 216 (III. Rondeau: Allegro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with the JCO (2022)
- Soloist (Violin 2): L'estro armonico ~ Concerto in B minor, RV 580 Op. 3 by Antonio Vivaldi with the JCO (2022)
Kate is performing on a violin made in 1750 by Jacob Horil and a pernambuco bow made by Charles Nicolas Bazin ~ both on loan.
Lucas Hao - Rory O’more (Fiddle time runners)
Johan Choo - Plesiosaurs and first base (Preliminary Grade)
Isabel Ho - The enchanted forest (Preliminary Grade)
Ellie Yeung - Danza Hellencia (Grade 3)
Jeremy Lu - Spy time rag (Grade 3)
Sophie Teh - Come Dance with me (Grade 3)
Jared Goh - Happy Birthday (Grade 6)
Performing Goblin Feast by Kieth Sharp
'Energetic and growling music that tells a captivating story within an exciting rhythmic texture. Just what are those Goblins cooking up in their pot?'
(2 min)
Performing The King’s Fiddlers by Keith Sharp
As the king enters his court, he hears the noble sounds of his fiddlers greeting him upon his arrival. This Elizabethan-style piece is sure to evoke images of royalty and castles. All instruments have interesting parts and low strings are divided into melody and harmony.
(2 min)
Violin 1: Charlotte Zhang
Violin 2: Ishan Nakade, Audrey Carson, Violet Nolan
Violin 3: Ryan Chen, Maira Arsiwala
Viola: Emily Cole
Cello: Alexis Zhang
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays 8am
Performing The King's fiddlers by Keith Sharp
‘As the king enters his court, he hears the noble sounds of his fiddlers greeting him upon his arrival This Elizabethan-style piece is sure to evoke images of royalty and castles.’
(2 min)
Performing Viking by Soon Hee Newbold
‘Take on the dynamic spirit of the ancient Vikings in this energetic piece! Open-string double stops, pizzicato, and optional percussion create a dramatic sound that will transport you into a legendary seafaring adventure.’
(2 min)
Violin 1: Leon Wang (P), Jeremy Lu, Alvin Zhang
Violin 2: Annabel Mckibbin (P), Hilary Jiang, Ava Lau
Violin 3: Jeremy Jiang, Daniel Zhao, Lily Usher, Zoey Zhang
Cello: Ashton Ma (P), Henry Mckibbin
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 8am
Romberg composed a total of six cello sonatas all of which were extremely popular and frequently performed in concert throughout the 19th century. Scholars have noted that Brahms’ Op.38 Sonata in e minor owes a considerable debt to Romberg’s Sonata in e minor, Op.38 No.1. This Sonata is the first of a set of three composed during the first decade of the 19th century. In three movements, it begins with soulful Allegro non troppo. The fetching theme, is neither sad nor tragic, yet its lyrical melody has a melancholy tinge to it.
Cello 1: Lachlan Zhou (Year 8 at Trinity Grammar)
Cello 2: Hana Takahashi-Chan (Year 10 at Vermont Secondary College)
Cello 3: Zoe Vom Kolke (Year 7 at PLC)
Cello 4: Ezekiel Khoo (Year 10 at Donvale Christian College)
Performing Ice Mountain by Stephen Chin
‘After the footsteps in the snow at the start, everybody gets down to business. The repeated quavers in the main theme depict the chiseling action of a pick as climbers frantically make their way up an ice covered rock face. All is calm in the middle section as the adventurers take in the breathtaking view at the top. The chiseling continues as they make their way down..‘
(3 min)
Performing A Salty Sailor's Song by Keith Sharp
'Australian composer and violinist Keith Sharp has written this Celtic-sounding melody in a piece that has a great deal of performance flexibility. The piece is divided into three main lines a melody, harmony, and bass line.'
(1 min)
Violin 1: Johan Choo (P), Ethan Tan, Audrey Au,
Gabrielle Haley, Roon Lee, Liam Shin
Violin 2: Sophie Cao (P), Eleanor Liu, Zachary Fung, Marcus Chen, Eugenia Quinn
Violin 3: Clara Chan (P), Scarlett Wong, Austin Zhang, Mary
Chrysostomou, Julian Chou
Absent: Mary Chrysostomou
Weekly rehearsals: Wednesdays 8am
Performing Canon by Johann Pachelbel
The canon was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue, known as Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. Neither the date nor the circumstances of its composition are known (suggested dates range from 1680 to 1706), and the oldest surviving manuscript copy of the piece dates from 1838 to 1842.
(6 min)
Violin 1: Clara Chow (P), Jared Goh, Brian Chong, Jovan Suhendro
Violin 2: Sam Rameshkumar (P), Sophie Tan, Abby Li
Violin 3: Alicia Chow (P), Isabelle Chong, Hanna Siew, Julia Hao
Cello: William Chai
Absent: Sam Rameshkumar
Weekly rehearsals: Fridays 8am
Antonio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) wrote over 350 concertos for solo instrument and strings, with a large number of those being for violin. Notable violin concertos by Vivaldi include the Six Violin Concertos, Op. 6, and this Violin Concerto in A minor. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi's influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe, giving origin to many imitators and admirers. He pioneered many developments in orchestration, violin technique and programmatic music. He consolidated the emerging concerto form, especially the solo concerto, into a widely accepted and followed idiom.
This popular concerto has become over the years the marker for many students of their progression from mere student to serious player.
Featuring Mia Chen as soloist
Mia is currently in grade 5 at St Catherine's School
Mia started learning the violin in 2020 in Prep. (Trent 2020 - present)
Mia's past solo performances include:
- Eisteddfod prize winner: Happy birthday by Claus-Dieter Ludwig (2023)
Soloist: Mia Chen
Violin 1: Alice Zhong (P), Jared Goh
Violin 2: Levina Poon, Sophie Teh, Ethan Li
Viola: Tiaa Poh (P), Jeremy Lu, Lori Li*, Grace Diao*
Cello: Noel Zhang (P), Zechariah Khoo
On May 1 1761, Haydn got the appointment that made his career when Prince Nicholas Esterházy hired him as his vice-Kapellmeister. The Prince had another promising young musician, Alois Luigi Tomasini (1741 - 1808), hired at the age of 16 as a valet du chamber, but also such a fine violinist that Nicholas sent him to Venice to receive the best violin training. Haydn shrewdly wrote as many as four concertos for Tomasini to show their boss that his trust in both of them was well-founded. (Both served the Esterházy family for life with Tomasini the trusted concertmaster of Haydn's orchestra.)
In 1949 Haydn scholar H.C. Robbins Landon discovered the manuscript of this concerto in the Abbey of Melk. It was written no later than 1771, and in most commentators' estimation is the equal of the D Major Cello Concerto -- in other words, the first great violin concerto of the classical age. In 1961, another copy of this concerto surfaced in the Marcello Library of Venice. It posed an editorial problem: while the Venice copy was obviously meant for the use of a string orchestra, the Melk manuscript had an incomplete horn part and mentions an oboe part (though none was found). Fortunately, the manner in which those instruments were used at the time was rather standardised, and so Anton Heiler and Robbins Landon were able to reconstruct them.
In this concerto Haydn shows some of the innovations he was bringing to the symphony form at the same time. Although it can be said that there is one predominant theme in the first movement (Moderato), Haydn varies it to produce a version that serves as a contrasting second theme group. Haydn observes a standard format of exposition without a solo part, then another with the solo, but he also adds new material for the soloist during this section. The violin leads off a creative development section.
Featuring Sean Tseng as soloist
Sean is currently in year 9 at Camberwell Grammar.
Sean started learning the violin in 2018 in Prep. (Trent 2018 - 2025)
Sean joined the Senior Chamber Orchestra in 2022.
Sean performs on his own c. 1910 violin labeled, "Nicolaus Amatus Cremone Hieronym filn fect. 1651'' and a W. E. Dörfler pernambuco bow.
Soloist: Sean Tseng
Violin 1: Kate Choi (P), Olga Chen, Hana Takahasi-Chan, Roy Zhang, Oliver Lu,
Violin 2: Isabelle Kok (P), Claire Dai, Claudia Kok, Cleo Iakovdis, Hazel Shu, Olivia Teoh
Viola: Shirley Lei
Cello: Lachlan Zhou (P), Zoe Vom Kolke, Ezekiel, Khoo
Performing Theme from Canon in D Arranged by John Caponegro
Scored in D, this masterful adaptation of Pachelbel’s famous theme assigns all 16th-note passages to 1st Violins so the other sections can focus on providing solid support with good intonation and a steady, unrushed tempo.
(3 min)
Performing Dragonhunter by Richard Meyer
Using only the notes of the D major scale, Richard Meyer has fashioned a medieval-sounding piece that is sure to fascinate your beginning string students. The minor key, modal harmonies and driving rhythms give this piece a very mature sound. The aggressive main theme is introduced by violins and violas, with cello and bass in counterpoint. The theme later returns in canon, with cellos and basses being chased (hunted) by the violins and violas. Very dramatic from start to finish!
(3 min)
Performing Sahara crossing by Richard Meyer
Sounds of a desert caravan are found in this fun and exciting original by Richard Meyer. It's an excellent piece to reinforce the tonal colour of low first finger notes (Eb and Bb).
(3 min)
Violin 1: Kaylee Wu, Gabriella Rojo Rodriguez, Heidi Farkas, Jeremy Chan, Ayla Glenk, Lara Glenk, Nicholas Lim, Lionel Lee, Reuben Li
Violin 2: Rei Gardner, Angus Leung, Amelia Li
Violin 3: Priscilla Lau, Ashton Lee, Sienna Phu, Sisi Lin, Phoebe Lee, Laura Lo, Jordyn Thompson, Cassidy Wimmer, Kiana Sivaratnam, Leon Feng, Ava Leng, Amitris Toran Pour, Sophie Yeung, Sherlock Hung, Henssen Yu, Lotica Dhar, Ezekiel Wong, Caleb Liu, Adrina Manesh, Leia Kwan, Philippa Fraser, Inti Silva Li, Texan Kwan, Gillian Zhong, Madeleine Lam, Laura Suryasaputra, Nicholas Tyrovolas, Kayen Teh, Kira Buckthought, Mehra Meysami, Aashi Trivedi, Shanaya Bhattacharya
Cello: Imogen Martin, Owen Gunarso, Jiewu Wong
Accompanied by: Blackburn Lake PS string orchestra, Vermont PS string orchestra, Mitcham PS string orchestra, Rangeview PS string orchestra, Boroondara Park PS string orchestra, Birralee PS string orchestras, Sunday string orchestra, Junior Chamber orchestra and Senior Chamber orchestra.
For students that have completed and passed a theory or technical exam or have finished their current grade/book and have completed the required number of performances.
Teachers: Rebecca Abramoff, Kasra Ezatshoar, Ying Yi-Chen, Olivia Qi, Olga Chen, Christine Wong
Technical Examiners: Olivia Qi, Christine Wong
Theory Examiners: Olga Chen
Performance Graders: Rebecca Abramoff, Kasra Ezatshoar, Ying Yi-Chen, Olivia Qi, Olga Chen, Kate Choi, Ezekiel Khoo, Shirley Lei, Claire Dai, Hana Takahashi-Chan, Zoe Vom Kolke
MC: Olivia Qi &Claire Dai