Musically minded students from the New England region will take part in the Sydney Symphony’s three-day Playerlink education program beginning this Friday, August 26 at the New England Conservatorium of Music.
In a Sydney Symphony Playerlink first, students from the region have connected with Sydney Symphony musicians in the weeks prior to the workshops via Telstra Experience Centre in Sydney in a series of online master classes between Sydney and the PLC School in Armidale. The students will this week meet their online mentors in person when the workshops begin on Friday.
Over 50 students who play a whole range of orchestral instruments including violins, trumpets and flutes, will be taking part in Playerlink this year. While many hail from across the local region, some students are travelling from as far afield as Orange in central western New South Wales. Over the course of the program, the participants will not only receive further mentoring from Sydney Symphony musicians, but also have the opportunity to perform in a full orchestra.
They will be tutored in ensemble playing, music interpretation and technical skills, as well take part in open discussions with members of Australia’s leading orchestra and receive a very special insight into the world of a professional musician.
Playerlink, which is mainly devoted to country and regional districts, has become an integral part of the Sydney Symphony’s comprehensive education program.
The Managing Director of the Sydney Symphony, Rory Jeffes, said the intensive workshops provided in Armidale are aimed at bringing together like-minded musical kids from across a wide region and giving them the chance to be mentored by some of Australia’s best classical musicians.
“For many of the students who attend Playerlink, it will be the first time they will have played in a full orchestra. It truly is an inspirational experience for these young musicians and gives them a rare opportunity to experience the thrill of being part of a live orchestral performance,” he said.
“We want to build on the students’ already substantial skill base and hopefully give the youngsters a step up for greater involvement in music in the future.”
The Playerlink program ends on Sunday, August 28 with a free, open workshop at New England Conservatorium of Music at 2.00pm. Family members and friends, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend.
