Camerata Strings
Where better to start your ensemble experience than in the company of a dedicate tutor and nurturing conductor? Repertoire is carefully curated to support the development of our youngest musicians, fostering their growth as musicians and as young people.
Ensemble Information
| Approximate Standard* | Music Grade Preliminary+ |
| Approximate Age Range | 7 to 12 |
| Rehearsal Times | Saturdays, 9:00am to 11:00am |
| Annual Fee | $605 |
| Instruments | Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piano Accompanist**. |
* Music grades are indicative of standard - exams are not a prerequisite for entry.
** Piano Accompanist Music Grade is 7+ and age is anticipated between 15 and 26. This position is required to read and reduce scores and support the conductor in rehearsing the ensemble. Accompanist mentoring will be provided but applicants should already have a thorough knowledge of practical technique.
Applications for our main round of auditions have now closed but you can still get involved. Apply today for a late audition and have a read of our audition FAQs for more information.
Concerts
The Camerata Strings ensemble performs in these concerts in 2018:
Mother's Day Concert
Sunday 13 May
12:30pm
Stanley Burbury Theatre, UTAS
Ensembles Concert
Sunday 12 August
12:30pm
The Farrell Centre, The Friends' School
End of Year Concert
Sunday 4 Nov
5:00pm
Stanley Burbury Theatre, UTAS
Meet your Conductor
Sarah Matthews - 2018 Camerata Strings Conductor
Sarah was awarded BA Honours in Music Education from Kingston University in 1987 where she studied cello and piano. She studied cello with Derek Simpson of the Aeolian String Quartet and Leonard Stehn at the London Guildhall School of Music, and was later awarded a Diploma in Orchestral Studies from the University of London.
After emigrating to Australia in 1992 she played with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras and was Principal Cellist of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. She was also cellist of the Orion Piano Trio, who performed regular local and national concerts. Subsequently she became a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra then the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout her career Sarah has always maintained an interest in music education and has had her own private teaching studio. She has regularly taught in schools and other educational establishments as a string coach, cello teacher and classroom music teacher. She has conducted numerous ensembles including youth orchestras, string groups and other instrumental and vocal groups in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Sarah was Director of Music at Calrossy School in Tamworth and has held teaching posts in three different NSW music conservatoriums, as well as the position of Head of Strings at St Michael’s Collegiate College.