1 Junior Chamber Orchestra
Grieg Holberg Suite (V. Rigaudon)
The Holberg Suite, Op. 40, more properly From Holberg's Time, subtitled "Suite in olden style", is a suite of five movements based on eighteenth-century dance forms, written by Edvard Grieg in 1884 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Dano-Norwegian humanist playwright Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754).
The Holberg Suite was originally composed for the piano, but a year later was adapted by Grieg himself for string orchestra. The suite consists of an introduction and a set of dances. It is an early essay in neoclassicism, an attempt to echo as much as was known in Grieg's time of the music of Holberg's era.
3 min
Soloist: Oliver Lu & Ethan Liang
Violin 1: Oliver Lu (P), Isabelle Kok, Roy Zhang
Violin 2: Jared Goh, Matthew Foo, Alice Zhong
Viola: Ethan Liang (P), Levina Poon
Cello: Kayden Tang (P), Vivian Chen, Noel Zhang
2. Junior Chamber Orchestra
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in D minor, MWV O 3
Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847) was considered by many of his time to be a prodigy comparable only to the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Besides being a brilliant piano virtuoso, his composition took a firm step forward in musical development.
In the period when this concerto was composed (from 1821 to 1823 while aged 12 to 14) Mendelssohn composed twelve string symphonies. At the age of eleven, he had written a trio for strings, a violin and piano sonata, two piano sonatas and the beginning of a third, three more for four hands, four for organ, three songs (lieder), and a cantata.
Mendelssohn wrote this violin concerto for Eduard Rietz (eldest brother of Julius Rietz), a beloved friend and teacher who later served as concertmaster for Mendelssohn's legendary performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion, which has been thought to have resurrected Bach in the public image.
When Mendelssohn died, his widow gave the manuscript of the long forgotten concerto to Ferdinand David, another close friend of Mendelssohn's and a leading violinist of the period, who in fact had premiered his Violin Concerto in E minor.
Featuring Oliver Lu as soloist
Oliver is currently in grade 6 at Blackburn Lake Primary School.
Oliver started learning the violin in 2021 in grade 3. (Rebecca Abramoff 2021) (Trent 2022 - present)
Oliver will attend Kingswood College in 2025 on a music scholarship.
Oliver has been a member of the Junior Chamber Orchestra since 2021.
Olivers'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) - Vivaldi Violin Concerto for two violins RV 522 (2024)
Oliver performs on an Italian trade violin made in c. 1880
5 min
Soloist: Oliver Lu
Violin 1: Roy Zhang (P), Ethan Liang
Violin 2: Jared Goh, Matthew Foo, Levina Poon
Viola: Isabelle Kok (P), Alice Zhong
Cello: Kayden Tang (P), Vivian Chen, Noel Zhang
3. Blackburn Lake Primary String Orchestra
Performing Voyager by Soon Hee Newbold
‘Take flight through the soaring melodic lines of this bold work that lets your students' imaginations run wild. Whether on the back of a hawk or on a journey to space, this energetic piece keeps all sections engaged rhythmically and melodically. A dynamic key change adds to the adrenaline rush.’
(3 min)
Performing Dragonhunter by Soon Richard Meyer
‘There's a dragon on the loose (you can hear him in the bass and cello sections) and your strings are in on the hunt! The medieval-sounding excitement is all created using notes from the D scale.’
(2 min)
Violin 1: Leon Wang (P), Oliver Lu, Ruotong Zhao, Logan Fang
Violin 2: Jeremy Lu (P), Alvin Zhang
Violin 3: Annabel Mckibbin, Ava Lau, Eva Chow, Hilary Jiang
Cello: Ashton Ma
Absent: Ruotong Zhao, Logan Fang, Ashton Ma
Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 8am
4. Rangeview Primary String Orchestra
Performing Beauty and Fire by Chris Thomas
‘In a world of sorcerers, magic, and fantastic creatures, anything is possible. This musical adventure continues the story from the popular Land of Dragons. In this chapter, a band of warriors join the quest, depicted by fierce rhythms, syncopation, and soaring melodies.'
(4 min)
Soloist: Matthew Foo
Violin 1: Matthew Foo (P), Alice Zhong, Serah Sun, Xiong Loh, Crosby Whitbread
Violin 2: Levina Poon (P), Maheli Widana, Jayden Leng, Shawn Zhang, Shaivi Yajamanam
Violin 3: Isabel Ho (P), Matthew Kang, Amber Wu, Mia Huang, Connor Tan, Sisi Chuang
Absent: Shawn Zhang, Shaivi Yajamanam, Sisi Chuang
Weekly rehearsals: Wednesdays 8am
5. Birralee Primary Intermediate String Orchestra
Performing Ukrainian Dance by Modest Mussorgsky/arr. Deborah Baker Monday
‘This energetic and lively dance features some of the most delightful themes from Mussorgsky's original. Based in G major, this arrangement also showcases some of the composer's harmonic vocabulary while using very few accidentals.‘
(2 min)
Violin 1: Sophie Teh (P), Abby Li, Hanna Siew, Sophie Tan, Zoe Curtis
Violin 2: Jovan Suhendro (P), William Lin, Zachary Fung, Marcus Chen, Justin Lam
Violin 3: Audrey Au (P), Gabby Haley, Scarlett Wong, Amelia Li, Sophie Cao, Clara Chan
Cello: William Chai
Absent: Hanna Siew, Sophie Tan, Zachary Fung
Weekly rehearsals: Fridays 8am
6. Birralee Foundation String Orchestra
Performing Til the work is done by Keith Sharp and Natalie Sharp
(2 min)
Performing Kings of stone by Keith Sharp and Natalie Sharp
'Upon pedestals founded in the deeps waters stood two kings of stone J.R.R. Tolkien. This fantastic image from books (and the movies) of Tolkien's trilogy of the ring, is the inspiration for this work. Somber, yet lyrical, this selection perfect for any director with musicians of varying ability.
(2 min)
Violin 1: Oliver Liang, Ashleen Kaur, Sarah Ni, Sophie Yim, Olive Yim, Avesta Tila
Violin 2: William Khou, Asher Cheung, Charlie Tseng, Lucas Hao, Zachary Chung, Leona Zhang, Christabelle Efendi, Leon Feng
Cello: Etselle Li, Avina Rohani-Zadeh
Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 8am
7. Borrondara Park and Box Hill North String Orchestra
Performing Away in a manger and We wish you a merry Christmas by Kathy and David Blackwell
(3 min)
Violin 1: Kate Lin, Olivia Parkins
Violin 2: Kanogi Ishii, Krystal Leung, Sofia Tsz Yau Pang, Ayesha Kumar, Amelia Li
8. Birralee Junior String Orchestra
Performing Japanese Celebration by Kathy Blackwell
(2 min)
Performing Riding my bike by Kathy Blackwell
(2 min)
Violin 1: Johan Choo, Ethan Tan, Eugenia Quinn, Bowen Shi, Zane Gao, Reanna Tseng
Violin 2: Abigail Cheung, Elu Silva Li, Mary Chrysostomou, Liam Shin, Eleanor Liu, Julian Chou, Prisha Sodhani, Anna Lin, Emily Foong
Absent: Zane Gao, Liam Shin, Johan Choo
Weekly rehearsals: Fridays 8am
10. Sunday String Orchestra
Performing Voyager by Soon Hee Newbold
‘Take flight through the soaring melodic lines of this bold work that lets students' imaginations run wild. Whether on the back of a hawk or on a journey to space, this energetic piece keeps all sections engaged rhythmically and melodically. A dynamic key change adds to the adrenaline rush.’
(3 min)
Performing Theme from Canon in D arranged by John Caponegro
'Pachelbel's Canon (suggested dates range from 1680 to 1706) went out of style, and remained in obscurity for centuries. A 1968 arrangement and recording of it by the Jean-François Paillard chamber orchestra gained popularity over the next decade, and in the 1970s the piece began to be recorded by many ensembles. By the early 1980s its presence as background music was deemed inescapable.'
(3 min)
Violin 1: Lori Li, Kienan Teoh, Aubrey Huang, Ryan Darestani, Adhiti Sureshkanan, Adhiya Sureshkanan
Violin 2: Ellie Shiyun Yeung, Ryder Cheng, Ellie Yan, Annabel Wan,
Senuri Godevithanage, Joah, Neeraja Jeyakanthan
Viola: Grace Diao
Cello: Brian Wan, Jayden Yeung, Zechariah Khoo
Weekly rehearsals: Sundays 5:30pm
11. Mitcham Primary String Orchestra
Performing The Kings 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)
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: Yui Nakajima (P), Amelia Wong, Kira Short, Ayden Tang
Violin 2: Estelle Chieng (P), Ethan Li, Meenaksi Sumi Deepak, Camille Lee,
Violin 3: Shira Long (P), Eliza Macut, Abby Yu
Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays 1:30pm
12. Vermont Primary String Orchestra
Performing The Silver Forest by Stephen Chin
'The Silver Forest by Stephen Chin ‘The shimmering opening sets the scene in a mythical forest covered in snow. Here knights ride wildly through the forest wielding their swords and fighting against dark forces.’
(3 min)
Violin 1: James Kim, Charlotte Zhang
Violin 2: Ishan Nakade
Violin 3: Audrey Carson, Ryan Chen
Viola: Emily Cole
Cello: Noa Takahashi-Chan, Alexis Zhang
Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays 8am
13. Birralee Primary Senior String Orchestra
Performing My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic) by James Horner
"My Heart Will Go On" is a song performed by the Canadian singer Celine Dion, used as the theme for the 1997 film Titanic.’
(2 min)
Performing Mythos by Soon Hee Newbold
'Spark the imaginations of your string players and audiences! In this work, three sections – Once Upon a Time; Fantasy and Final Victory are performed without pause. With unique harmonies and driving melodies, the music tells the story and takes the listeners on a musical journey that is limited only by imagination.’
(3 min)
Violin 1: Isabelle Kok (P), Jessie Yu, Brian Chong, Clara Chow
Violin 2: Jared Goh (P), Sam Rameshkumar, Alicia Chow
Violin 3: Isabelle Chong, Cindy Li, Julia Hao, Ynes Marsden
Cello: Charlotte Yu
Absent: Sam Rameshkumar
Weekly rehearsals: Thursdays 8am
14. Senior Chamber Orchestra
Cello Concerto in B minor, RV 424 by Antonio Vivaldi
Vivaldi's RV 424 is one of his most technically involved cello concertos. The soloist is required to play incredibly fast semiquaver triplets and notes an octave and a half above middle C. The ritornellos on the outer movements include voice crossings in the violins and violas, making for an interesting texture.
Featuring Hana Takahashi-Chan as soloist
Hana is currently in year 9 at Vermont Secondary College.
Hana was a member of the Junior Chamber orchestra from 2017 - 2021 and has been a member of the Senior Chamber orchestra since 2022.
Hana started learning in 2015 in Prep. (Trent 2015 - present)
Hana performs on a 2021 model 500 KG cello made from European tonewood.
3 min
Soloist: Hana Takahashi-Chan
Violin 1: Kasra Ezatshoar, Kate Choi, Hailey Leng, Sean Tseng, Olivia Qi
Violin 2: Adriel Chen (P), Shirley Lei, Claire Dai, Claudia Kok, Emily Poon, Alisha Edwards
Viola: Isabelle Kok, Ethan Liang, Roy Zhang, Nicholas Lim
Cello: Lachlan Zhou (P), Ezekiel Khoo, Kayden Tang
Bass: Kian Ezatshoar
15. Senior Chamber Orchestra
Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi (Summer III: Presto)
The Four Seasons is the best known of Vivaldi's works. The inspiration for the concertos are the countryside around Mantua where Vivaldi was living at the time, which could have been written as early as 1716–1717, while Vivaldi was engaged with the court of Mantua only in 1718. They were a revolution in musical conception: Vivaldi represented flowing creeks, singing birds (of different species, each specifically characterised), a shepherd and his barking dog, buzzing flies, storms, drunken dancers, hunting parties from both the hunters' and the prey's point of view, frozen landscapes, and warm winter fires.
Unusually for the period, Vivaldi published the concerti with accompanying sonnets (possibly written by the composer himself) that elucidated what it was in the spirit of each season that his music was intended to evoke. The concerti therefore stand as one of the earliest and most detailed examples of what would come to be called program music —in other words, music with a narrative element. Vivaldi took great pains to relate his music to the texts of the poems, translating the poetic lines themselves directly into the music on the page. Vivaldi divided each concerto into three movements (fast–slow–fast), and, likewise, each linked sonnet into three sections.
Featuring Roy Zhang as soloist
Roy is currently in grade 6 at Carey Grammar.
Roy started learning the violin in 2018 in Prep. (Audrey To 2018 - 2019) (Christine 2020 - 2022) (Trent 2023 - present)
Roy has been 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) - Vivaldi Violin Concerto for two violins RV 522 (2024)
Roy performs on a violin made in 1923 by Ernst Heinrich Roth.
3 min
Soloist: Roy Zhang
Violin 1: Kasra Ezatshoar, Kate Choi, Hailey Leng, Sean Tseng, Olivia Qi
Violin 2: Adriel Chen (P), Shirley Lei, Ethan Liang, Alisha Edwards, Emily Poon
Viola: Claudia Kok, Isabelle Kok
Cello: Lachlan Zhou (P), Hana Takahashi-Chan, Ezekiel Khoo
Bass: Kian Ezatshoar