Applications For 2024 Australian Festival Of Chamber Music International Masterclass Program Open

Applications for young and emerging musicians in ensembles from across the country are now open to register for the prestigious 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) International Masterclasses Program.

The masterclasses program will be led by acclaimed music maker, clarinettist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator, Lloyd Van’t Hoff in Townsville-Gurambilbarra in North Queensland.

Held from July 23 to August 2, the AFCM International Masterclasses Program is recognised for its high calibre of coaching and mentoring and the significant opportunity it offers students to learn and play alongside some of the best chamber musicians in the world, and of course, the location is extra special.

Not only does the program include private and public masterclasses, coaching, mentoring and opportunities for private lessons and public performances, but ensembles will also be able to attend daily group sessions with their peers and hear guest presenters from the superb line-up of musicians appearing at AFCM 2024.

Students also receive free admission to all Festival concerts.

Program Director, Lloyd Van’t Hoff said the AFCM International Masterclasses Program was an unforgettable experience for emerging musicians over 10 days of coaching and development which culminates in a concert by all attending ensembles on Friday, August 4.

“Plus, in exciting news, three AFCM International Public Masterclasses will be open to the public this year, so if you have ever wondered what goes on in a music lesson, this is your chance to watch live and free,” Mr Van’t Hoff said.

In addition to the AFCM International Masterclasses Program, the AFCM Outreach Program presents music in the wider North Queensland region and provides an extraordinary opportunity for one of the previous years AFCM International Masterclass Program alumni ensembles to give concerts and create a profile throughout the Festival.

This year, that ensemble is the Zaza Road Quartet, a talented young group that attended the AFCM International Masterclasses Program in 2023.

Zaza Road Quartet members include violinist Kevin Hsu, cellist Mya Whatson, clarinettist Nathanael Duffy, and pianist Mai-Lien Olsson.

They first formed as a quartet at the beginning of 2023, and have gone from strength to strength ever since, including being invited back to AFCM 2024 to perform and conduct workshops in the region.

Violinist Kevin Hsu said the AFCM International Masterclasses Program was a fantastic experience for any aspiring chamber musician.

“The workshops, lessons and masterclasses coordinated by director Lloyd Van’t Hoff were incredible opportunities,” Mr Hsu said.

“We had the chance to play for, and work with, world-class musicians of widely different opinions.

“This greatly expanded our understanding and skills.

“What’s more, the daily Festival concerts allowed us to experience incredible music-making at close proximity.

“We learned just as much from watching as from working with them.

“It was a great privilege to play and network with these musicians.

“Lastly, the passion of the audience and musicians imbued the Festival with great excitement and enthusiasm.

“It was an enormous celebration of musical excellence and creativity.

“We cannot recommend enough the AFCM International Masterclasses program to any aspiring chamber musician.

As the 2024 AFCM Fellowship Ensemble, the Zaza Road Quartet will support AFCM Education Program Director Lloyd van’t Hoff in delivering a series of workshops and performances at local secondary schools and theatres in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, Ingham, Charters Towers and the Burdekin.

The AFCM Outreach program is an important part of the Festival’s commitment to community engagement, access and development.

Applications are now open and close on 14 April 2024. Interested musicians can apply at afcm.com.au, by phone 07 4771 4144 or email winterschool@afcm.com.au

AFCM International Public Masterclasses – FREE to attend for audiences

• Monday 29 July, 1:00pm – The Ville
• Wednesday 31 July, 1:00pm – The Ville
• Thursday 1 August, 1:00pm – The Ville

AFCM International Masterclasses Concert

• Friday 2 August, 1:00pm – The Ville, Tickets $30 (purchase - via afcm.com.au)

AFCM Outreach Program School Workshops

• Monday 22 July, 10:00am – Ayr High School
• Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am – The World Theatre (Charters - Towers school region)
• Tuesday 30 July, 10:00am - Pimlico High School
• Thursday 1 August, 10:00am - Cathedral School
• Friday 2 August, 10:00am - Townsville Grammar School

AFCM Outreach Program Concerts

• Sunday 21 July, 4:00pm – TYTO Wetlands (see venue for ticketing details)
• Monday 22 July, 6:00pm – Burdekin Theatre (see venue for ticketing details)
• Wednesday 24 July, 1:00pm – World Theatre, Charters Towers (see venue for ticketing details)
• Thursday 25 July, 5:30pm – James Cook University, Central Plaza (see venue for ticketing details)

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• Music and Entertainment
• Performing Arts
• Workshops