3. Birralee Foundation and Boroondara Park String Orchestra
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
4. Birralee Junior String Orchestra
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
6. Sunday String Orchestra
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
7. Rangeview Primary String Orchestra
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
8. Mitcham Primary String Orchestra
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
10. Vermont Primary String Orchestra
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
11. Blackburn Lake Primary String Orchestra
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)
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), Ava Lau, Daniel Zhao
Violin 3: Zoey Zhang, Priscilla Lau
Cello: Ashton Ma (P), Henry Mckibbin
Absent: TBD
Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 8am
13. Birralee Primary Intermediate String Orchestra
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
14. Birralee Primary Senior String Orchestra
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
15. Junior Chamber Orchestra
Violin Concerto in A minor, RV 356 (III. Presto) by Antonio Vivaldi
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)
2 min
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
16. Senior Chamber Orchestra
Violin Concerto in A major, Hob.VIIa:3 (III. Allegro) by Joseph Haydn
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.
5 min
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