Australian Violin Pedagogy Conference Program 2008
April 18-20

Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street, Sydney




Conference Presentations (Archived)

Conference Program

Friday, April 18 2008

3 pm	Registration
3.15 pm	Session 1: Charles Dancla, the last representative of the Classical French Violin School Elisabeth Mitchelmore, Sydney Conservatorium The study of the works of renowned teacher-composers can significantly expand the technical and musical development of a violin student.In this presentation, a selection of Dancla’s works suitable for various stages of development will be analysed and related to the current AMEB syllabus in order to demonstrate how the students’ learning can be expanded and enriched by a purposeful selection of learning material. Some pieces for two and four violins will be discussed that can inspire students and teachers alike in their endeavour to learn, improve and play. Further details...
4.15 pm	Session 2: Violin Intonation: a practical approach Janet Davies, Sydney Conservatorium This session will explore intonation issues confronting even advanced players, and outlines some practical ways for teachers to assist students in dealing with them. Further details...
5.15 pm	break
5.30 pm	Session 3: String programs in disadvantaged areas Fintan Murphy, Monash University, Melbourne This paper compares three music programs: El Sistema in Venezuela, Sheila Nelson at the Inner London Education authority and "Music 4 all" in regional Australia. The sessions describes their success and discusses their effect on tertiary music education. Further details...
6.30 pm	complimentary drinks
7.30 pm	Dinner: Quay Seafood Chinese Restaurant Unit 2, 2 Alfred Street, Sydney Bookings are essential To confirm bookings email your booking to this link.

Saturday, April 19 2008

9.30 am	Session 4: Expressive Possibilities Robin Wilson, Australian Institute of Music/ Sydney Conservatorium Is expressive musicality innate? This session will raise questions about the nature of musical expression and the possibility of its development in the string player. It will look at factors that influence expressive capability, such as personality, imagination and conceptualisation, and survey various techniques, such as the use of art and literature as a means of developing these factors.  Further details...
10.30 am	Session 5: Teaching violin in regional communities Andrew Baker, Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music This paper presents results of a survey taken from teachers through NSW and include discussion of  topics such as professional development opportunities, trends in repertoire use, student - parent engagement, relevance and importance of ensemble programs and competition in regional communities. I will look at prevailing methods used (suzuki, colour strings etc), examination system supported AMEB or trinity, fees charged and the use of video conferencing lessons with a view to developing teaching method in regional areas. Further details...
11.30	break
11.45 am	Session 6: Colourstrings: an overview Yuri Djachenko, Brisbane Dr. David Banney, Newcastle This session introduces the colourstring method, invented over 30 years ago in Finland by the Szilvay brothers and widely used to success internationally. The presenters will give an overview of the scope, context, technical and musical sequence and repertoire of Colourstrings, and examine the use of Colourstrings in Australia. The session includes the presentation of student performances. Further details...
	lunch (own arrangements)
2 pm	Session 7: Professional development for the string teacher Philippa Paige, Sydney Symphony, Sydney Conservatorium This session will present some of the findings from my recent research study of Australian string teachers. String teachers’ diverse professional development needs and preferences will be considered in the light of their backgrounds in instrumental training, performance experience, pedagogy training and teaching context. Further details...
3 pm	Session 8: How to prevent injury: health issues for string players Professor Earl Owen, Sydney Musicians' health is an important issue for developing and professional musicians alike. In this session, Professor Earl Owen, pioneer in micro-surgery and a leading international authority on musicians' health will introduce the significant physical concepts that musicians should respect when playing or teaching a string instrument. Further details...
4.30 pm	Session 9: Portrait of a creative analyst: A guide to inspirational teaching Dr. Susan Collins, Newcastle Conservatorium- University of Newcastle Some years ago I reconstructed the violin/piano manuscripts of Australian composer Raymond Hanson. What I learned of this ‘pioneer’ musician/composer and his music illustrated to me an inspirational style of learning and teaching that emerges as Hanson’s intuitive version of what is now known as “constructivist pedagogy”. I call it the “riddle principle”. This seminar seeks to explore the “riddle” as a catalyst for creativity, with the intention of nurturing a pioneering quality in students that will ensure their continued artistic development. Further details...
5.30	complimentary drinks
6.30 pm	Dinner: Phillip's Foote Restaurant 101 George Street, The Rocks http://www.phillipsfoote.com.au Bookings essential to confirm your booking please email your booking to this link.

Sunday, April 20 2008

9.30	Session 8: Teaching early music principles to students of modern instruments Dr. Marina Phillips, Australian Institute of Music, Sydney Further details...
10.30 am	Session 9: Freedom to Play: Technique as timing Goetz Richter, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Violin playing is often described in static terms, through posture and position. It is frequently taught according to view and phenomena are described by how they look. In this session I will propose an alternative paradigm to this fundamental approach. I will argue that violin playing can become much easier if we conceive it as a dynamic performance in time where actions and recoveries are processed and sequenced serially. This involves a simple phenomenological description of physical coordination verified through feel which can be applied to all levels of learning involving temporal sequences of action and recovery. Akin to walking and running or riding a bicycle, any resulting position or posture of violin playing is in fact  constituted by movement and processes of coordination. Further details...
11.30	break
11.45 am	Session 10: Forum on Practice Roundtable discussion Practice is fundamental to the development and conditioning of violinists. However, what type and quantity of practice is most productive? When does practice become unproductive or dangerous? How can students improve their practice- what works and what does not? What does the literature say on practice? This forum will explore these questions and more through the different responses from teachers at the conference and with the assistance of a panel of experts. Further details...
1 pm	Conference closes Lunch: Museum of Sydney Cafe http://www.moscafe.com.au/ Bookings essential to confirm your booking please email your booking to this link.