Back to Friday

New Australian Music for School Orchestras

Dr Joanna Drimatis

featuring the Chatswood High School Chamber Strings

Sponsored by the Australian Music Centre

Friday 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

AMEB Concert Hall

Clinic Synopsis

The Australian Music Centre (AMC) is the national service organisation dedicated to the promotion and support of art music in Australia. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to the representation, advocacy, promotion and support of Australian creators and their music. Our important work covers contemporary classical, contemporary jazz and improvised music, experimental music and sound art. We provide career support, manage professional development programs and presents annual and biennial awards. The AMC maintains the most comprehensive catalogue of Australian music, a living collection of scores, recordings, research papers, teaching kits, classroom materials and aggregated media. The collection includes more than 30,000 items by approximately 900 Australian creators a major part of which is accessible online.

For music educators at all levels, our role is to provide access to music and resources associated with the Australian creators that we represent. Consider the question: how are you embedding Australian culture and, importantly, Australian ‘art music’ into your ensembles? My role as Music Education Specialist is to help facilitate this process with a degree of ease, so that educators, performers, conductors, and students can access the music that is right for their purpose.

In this workshop, there will be information shared on the new website and how to source repertoire for your ensemble as well as the opportunity to play through orchestral works written by Australian composers on offer at the Australian Music Centre will be shared with delegates. In addition, there will be an opportunity in the session to discuss strategies on how to include more Australian music in our co-curricular ensembles.

The purpose of this discussion is for educators to connect and understand the services and resources that are provided at the AMC as well as give a deeper insight into the cultural significance of the Australian Music Centre.

Resources

Drimatis_ ANBOC 2024 Orch Repertoire Handout_30-5-24.pdf

Dr Joanna Drimatis Bio

Joanna Drimatis is a highly-respected champion of Australian music and contemporary classical music – contributing comprehensively through her output as a conductor, performer, musical director, researcher and educator.

Joanna is currently the Music Director/Chief Conductor of the Beecroft Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the NSW Doctors’ Orchestra in Sydney. Joanna has guest conducted orchestras in Australia and NZ and 2022-23, enjoyed conducting five productions for the young Sydney-based opera company The Cooperative which has received national attention in Limelight magazine. In past positions as Music Director of the Christchurch Youth Orchestra/NZ and Conductor for the Adelaide Youth Orchestra association Joanna initiated numerous collaborations, commissions and premieres, with select performances broadcast on NZ Concert FM and ABC Classic/Australia.

After initial studies in Music Education and Violin Performance, Joanna completed a Masters in Music from the University of Texas at Austin (Violin / Orchestral Conducting) where she was conductor of the University Orchestra. In 2009, Joanna graduated with a PhD in Musicology investigating neglected Australian orchestral music from the mid-20th century from the University of Adelaide. As a violinist/violist Joanna has played professionally as an orchestral and chamber musician in Australia and overseas.

Joanna has given presentations on string and orchestral pedagogy with emphasis on the use of Australian repertoire for training orchestras. This work culminated in an invitation for her to present on this topic at the 2019 Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, USA. Joanna is currently Music Education Specialist for the Australian Music Centre. In 2020 Joanna was awarded an APRA/AMCOS Art Music Luminary award for her advocacy, programming and performance of Australian music.

https://joannadrimatis.com/

Chatswood High School Symphony Orchestra

The Chatswood High School Symphony Orchestra is currently the largest ensemble at the school and made up of 75 of our best string, woodwind, brass and percussion students. The Orchestra evolved out of the school’s growing string ensembles and had their first ‘gig’ in Central Park New York in 2017. Since then they have continued to grow in number and standard.

They have navigated the hurdles of the Covid pandemic and school re-build to come out stronger, larger and better than ever. Many of the students in the orchestra also study music for the HSC and are actively involved in the music scene at the school.

The Symphony Orchestra plays an assortment of music ranging from classical repertoire (original and arrangements), film music, musical theatre collections and original Australian music. They regularly perform at school functions, Eisteddfods and community events. This is their first visit to Melbourne and they are delighted to be part of ANBOC, working with Ms Joanna Dramatise at the Australian Music Clinic. They are directed by Ms Sylvia Marson, who also teaches music at the school.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse