Great Scot September 2019 Great Scot 157_September 2019_ONLINE | Page 17

In Prep, boys commence their Scotch string journey by joining the
Suzuki Strings program led by Ms Sarah Ellison. This is an international
music teaching method and philosophy encompassing the idea that
children learn from their environment. This promotes excellent listening
skills, focusing on good technique and establishing a passion for the
sound that is being created.
All Year 2 boys participate in a classroom strings program, trialling
each string instrument and selecting their favourite. Once allocated to
an instrument, the boys learn in small groups from specialist teachers
and have their first ensemble experience. Following their performance,
most boys enthusiastically continue with individual lessons, many
continuing to learn strings throughout their school life.
The boys continuing to learn their string instruments make up the
Year 3 and Year 4 String Orchestras. This is where the Suzuki and
traditional methods amalgamate. The boys learn foundation orchestral
skills, learn to be responsible musicians within the team, experience
leadership opportunities, and work towards common goals such as
recitals and concerts.
The Junior School Orchestra consists of Year 5 and 6 string
students. This exciting, busy program enhances and consolidates the
boys’ passion for string playing. Highlights include the Strings Camp
and the Victorian School Strings Festival, where the boys perform and
experience workshops with international string professionals. This year
the boys were extremely proud to receive a platinum award. Another
highlight this year was composing for the Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra’s ‘Dangerous Creatures’ composition competition.
Boys from Years 3 to 6 can participate in auditioned extension
chamber groups. This year there are two groups – Chamber Strings
and a quartet – which focus on refining and extending musical and
technical skills, while encouraging a strong social connection across
year levels. The boys were excited to be awarded first place in the
string orchestra section at the Boroondara Eisteddfod … or perhaps it
was the celebratory hot chips!
The boys are encouraged to perform as soloists. All boys from
Prep to Year 6 perform at solo recitals twice per year and some
perform at eisteddfods, Music Society Victoria, Melbourne Youth Music
and holiday camps. Some boys set personal goals to achieve Suzuki
graduations or Australian Music Examinations Board qualifications.
Damon Bendschneider (Year 5 violinist) said: ‘Playing the violin has
given me courage and confidence. I can now confidently perform in
front of large crowds without getting really nervous. I find it really fun
playing a string instrument and even more fun playing in an orchestra’.
These opportunities and experiences promote a lifelong love and
appreciation of music, and prepare the boys for their Senior School
musical journey. The Senior School string program, led by James de
Rozario (Head of Strings) and Adam Merange (Head of Lower Strings),
offers string students incredible opportunities such as wonderful
performances, masterclasses and international tours. The boys’
enjoyment of music is established and reinforced by the passionate
music staff, who encourage them to practise regularly at home and
always strive to achieve their best.
It is a privilege to inspire such enthusiastic young musos who
are excited about learning and challenging their musical knowledge
and skills. Highlights of the Junior School strings program include
observing the pure joy and excitement of the Year 2s as they learn to
produce a full, rich string sound, and the ‘Giving Bach’ project. In this
project, Year 6 string students independently choose a cause in which
to share their music. Last year, Year 6 string boys played in aged care
facilities, hospital wards and busking to donate to charities, relishing
the positive effect of their music.
The Scotch strings program strives to support the whole boy
by providing experiences to enhance musical, physical, academic,
imaginative, social and wellbeing skills. Learning an instrument during
Junior School years provides a motivating platform for hard work,
dedication, teamwork, leadership and a continuous desire to achieve
personal bests.
AMBERLEY BREMNER – HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL STRINGS
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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