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Training String Ensemble 2025 Registration is open from 2nd June to 20th June 2025 !!
Training String Ensemble
Training String Ensemble
** REGISTRATION IS OPEN**
Please look out for our advertisement in school newsletter in Term 2 of 2025 for new 2025 intakes **
NO entry criteria
The Training String Ensemble is an introductory ensemble for students new to playing a string instrument.
Students spend two terms in this group learning basic skills on their instrument, learning to read music and learning how to be part of a musical ensemble. During ensemble sessions, students will learn to play as a group with their peers and learn how to take cues from the Conductor.
Classes are designed for students with no string instrument experience or less than one year of learning. Instruments offered include violin, viola, and cello.
Classes are suitable for students from Kindergarten to Year 6. No audition required; all are welcome to participate.
Enrolment date and details will be advertised via school newsletter during Term 2
Group lessons will run once a week for 1 hour, for 18 weeks in Term 3 and Term 4.
For Training String Ensemble, we will require a minimum of 3 volunteers to support our Conductor at each rehearsal.
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In conjunction with rehearsals, children are expected to have lessons with a private strings tutor (minimum 30 mins per week) to support their progress and further finetune their skills. This will be mandatory from Term 4. We ask you consider this requirement prior to application into our Training Strings Ensemble. Rehearsals with Conductor will only focus on ensemble skills, hence private tutoring is critical to build child's instrument skills.
The Strings Committee does not have a list of private strings tutor - you may ask friends/families for recommendation or look at what other school programs can offer through a website search so long as your private tutor supports your child's progress as well as assists your child with ensemble music pieces.
What's next?
Students are assessed by the Training String Ensemble's Conductor for their suitability and will have the opportunity to move from to Beginner String Ensemble in the following year.
Must continue to have weekly lessons with a private strings tutor.
Positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors and are subject to changes.
Beginner String Ensemble
Beginner String Ensemble
Minimum entry criteria
Students who meet the minimum requirements will be invited for an audition:
Year 1 to year 6 students.
For students awarded AMEB preliminary grade, playing AMEB grade 1+ songs or equal.
Students who have been learning privately for at least 12 months and have the required basic ensemble skills may also join this ensemble.
Limited music reading skills
Must continue to have weekly lessons with a private strings tutor.
What's next?
Minimum 2 years within the Beginner String Ensemble to advance to next ensemble, unless Conductor recommends otherwise.
Progression to Intermediate String Ensemble is by audition. Conductor will evaluate the applicant’s overall ability to play in unison and collaboratively with the greater ensemble. Conductor will also take into consideration the following, but not limited to:
Consistent quality playing during rehearsals
Behaviour and attitude
Preparation / music practice
Punctuality and attendance rate
Positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors and are subject to changes.
Intermediate String Ensemble
Intermediate String Ensemble
Minimum entry criteria
Students who meet the minimum requirements will be invited for an audition:
Year 1 to year 6 students.
For students awarded AMEB grade 1, playing AMEB grade 2+ songs or equal.
Minimum 2 years of private strings tutoring.
Music reading skills of Grade 1 level, at minimum, is required.
Must continue to have weekly lessons with a private strings tutor.
What's next?
Minimum 2 years within the Intermediate String Ensemble to advance to next ensemble, unless Conductor recommends otherwise.
Progression to Senior String Ensemble is by audition. Conductor will evaluate the applicant’s overall ability to play in unison and collaboratively with the greater ensemble. Conductor will also take into consideration the following, but not limited to:
Consistent quality playing during rehearsals
Behaviour and attitude
Preparation / music practice
Punctuality and attendance rate
Positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors and are subject to changes.
Senior String Ensemble
Senior String Ensemble
Minimum entry criteria
Students who meet the minimum requirements will be invited for an audition:
Year 4 to year 6 students only. Year 3 students accepted only by Conductor's recommendation.
For students awarded AMEB grade 3, playing AMEB grade 4+ songs. or equal.
Minimum 4 years of private strings tutoring.
Music reading skills of Grade 3 level, at minimum, is required.
Solid technique and intonation required. Strong, clear tone. All key signatures, tempo markings, accidentals and articulations observed accurately. Able to play in multiple/different positions/shifts.
Students who are in their fourth or fifth year of playing in an ensemble environment.
Must continue to have weekly lessons with a private strings tutor.
Positions are continuously reviewed for:
Consistent quality playing during rehearsals
Behaviour and attitude
Preparation / music practice
Punctuality and attendance rate
Positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors and are subject to changes.
How to join our Training String Ensemble?
How to join our Training String Ensemble?
For Training String Ensemble, the enrolment date and details will be advertised via school newsletter at the end of Term 2 of the school year.
Which string instrument should my child play?
As with any instrument, we believe the only way for your child to know what instrument they should play is to actually try to learn it over a period of time. Any instrument will be a challenge at the start. A year is obviously an even greater amount of time to show growth. Even if a child decides not to pursue a particular instrument after some time, they will have obtained a good foundation in music, in general.
Children, accompanied by an adult, are welcome to view our other String Ensembles at rehearsals.
Is EWPS String Program and EWPS Band Program the same?
Our String Program offers only the string section made up of bowed strings, usually the violin, viola, cello and double bass. Students interested in band should consider the EWPS Band Program, which is based on a concert band, with no string instruments apart from electric bass guitar, but with woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. For inquiries related to Epping West Public School Band, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/eppingwestband/contact-us.
Unfortunately due rehearsal requirements, conflict in schedule for events and performances, and/or vacancies etc., students are not permitted to be in both the strings ensemble and band.
How to join our other String Ensembles?
How to join our other String Ensembles?
If your child meets the minimum requirements specified above and would like to audition to join our String Ensemble (not including Training String Ensemble), please email us and we will return to you as soon as we can. Conductors will assess the audition and assign your child to the right String Ensemble.
Unfortunately due rehearsal requirements, conflict in schedule for events and performances, and/or vacancies etc., students are not permitted to be in both the strings ensemble and band.
Audition Requirements for String Ensemble
Audition Requirements for String Ensemble
You are welcome to audition for a position in one of our string ensembles IF:
you are new to our String Program, and
you are not an existing member of any of our String Ensembles, and
you meet the minimum criteria set out above
Auditions are usually held at towards end of the year. On case by case basis, auditions can be held at other times during the school year for entry into Beginner or Intermediate String Ensemble.
Successful applicants will:
Join Beginner or Intermediate String Ensemble at the beginning of a school term.
Join Senior String Ensemble ONLY in Term 1 of school year.
The selection process also involves recruiting for a balanced ensemble as there are a limited number of places for each section/instrument.
Auditions allow conductors to get to know the applicant and to evaluate their playing level. Once auditions are completed, students are placed in the ensemble level in which they can be both successful and challenged. Final ensemble placement and positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors.
If your child is attending an audition, please note below requirements:
Play one piece of your choice; and
Play one scale of your choice; and
Sight-reading
Advancing to the next ensemble group
Advancing to the next ensemble group
A number of factors impact a student's ability to move to the next level of ensemble group. In addition to the minimum criteria above, the Conductor will take into consideration the following, but not limited to:
Consistent quality playing during rehearsals
Behaviour and attitude
Preparation / music practice
Punctuality and attendance rate
It is also important to understand that music ensemble skills are different to child's awarded grade or grade of study. Hence, students may be placed in an ensemble level which is different to their grade of study. Students are placed in the ensemble level in which they can be both successful and challenged. Final ensemble placement and positions within the ensemble are at the discretion of the conductors.
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