2026 AUSTA (NSW) New England String Performers Festival
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About
About The String Festival
The AUSTA (NSW) New England String Performers' Festival gives young string players the opportunity to perform in a friendly and supportive environment
The AUSTA (NSW) New England String Performers' Festival gives young string players the opportunity to perform in a friendly and supportive environment
Bookings close March 8
On Saturday March 14 at 2.30 pm soloists will perform in a graded Concerto Showcase. There will be 3 separate sections: Grade 2 -3 , Grade 4-6 , Grade 7 and above. Participants must present a full movement from a concerto in performance with piano accompaniment. Memorisation is encouraged. An official pianist will be provided by AUSTA for concerto performances but it is expected that rehearsals will be arranged privately, prior to the event. ( See booking link below ). Once registrations are advanced, a schedule will be available from March 11. Following the afternoon of concerto movement performances 1st , 2nd and 3rd prize-winners in each section will be nominated. All participants receive a Certificate of Participation, a trophy and an adjudicator's report.
On Sunday March 15 starting at 10.00 am performers can present one solo piece (either with piano or unaccompanied) in recital. Depending on the number of registrations received there will be multiple recital sessions with a pianist provided for by AUSTA for these sessions. For more advanced players it is expected a private rehearsal will have taken place prior to the event. ( See booking link below). However, time will be allocated for beginner level participants to have short rehearsal with the official accompanist on the morning of March 15 starting at 9.00 am where a prior rehearsal is not deemed necessary. Please indicate on Try Booking questionaire if this is a requirement.
The Sunday session is formally planned from 10.00-1.30. Once all entries are received we will schedule subsections of groups of performers. Please make any comments here about your- or your pianists’ availability on the day. We will endeavour to accommodate these requests. Once the performance schedule for the day is settled, no further changes will be possible.
Unlike an eisteddfod there are no winners and no first or second places. It is an event to celebrate and showcase the talent of young string players. All participants will leave with a Certificate of Participation, a trophy and an adjudicator's report. A detailed timetable of performance and rehearsal sessions with the pianist, will be available from Wednesday March 11.
Please note: Ticket pricings are structured with two options to acknowlege students' teachers who are registered AUSTA member ( Please check this with your teacher before enrolling).
To book a rehearsal with the accompanist provided ( Dr Robert Manley ) choose either option below .(Note: For intermediate to advanced performers please send through scores electronically to rmanley@necom.org.au as soon as possible. He is available for rehearsals 19 February onwards). Alternatively you can use an accompanist of your own choosing.
Booking link recommendations and options for Robert Manley.
1.Students Grade 5 and below can book through the NECOM system, using the standard rehearsal categories only (not performance bookings as in this instance the performance will be covered by AUSTA)
https://tinyurl.com/accompnecom
OR
2. Students Grade 6 and above may book either privately with Robert ,or through NECOM if they prefer to remain fully within the NECOM system. For private bookings contact Robert via email: rj_manley@hotmail.com
All performances are public events - parents, family members, teachers and students are warmly invited to attend for free.
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