World-Class Musicians Strike A Chord With Mackay’s Talented Students

About 65 string students from North High and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School came together for the Camerata workshop. Photo supplied

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The sound of strings filled Mackay North State High School as around 65 students from two local schools came together to learn from professional musicians during Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra’s third visit.

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Approximately 65 students took part, bringing together the full string ensembles from North High and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School.

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Working alongside Camerata’s professional musicians, students received hands-on guidance with technique, pitch and ensemble playing.

The Mackay Chamber Music Festival delivered the workshop as part of its educational masterclasses, with sponsorship from the Hannan Mason Foundation.

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Foundation chief executive officer Nikki Wright said the sponsorship gave regional students access to opportunities more commonly concentrated in capital cities and inspired local talent to hone their skills and follow their ambition for a career in the Arts.

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“There is talent in the regions, and the Mackay Chamber Music Festival aims to encourage and foster that talent,” Ms Wright said.

“For some students, taking part in this workshop with Camerata is their first exposure to musicians of that calibre.”

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Ms Wright said the talent and passion of Mackay’s young artists had long impressed her.

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“This region values the arts and so many children are involved in the arts as co curricula activity”

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“The Hannan Mason Foundation aims to enable local people to thrive and that’s what the Mackay Chamber Music Festival is about – enabling local talent and sharing the benefits of music with the community.

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She formed her connection with the Mackay Chamber Music Festival when she met festival founder and internationally regarded violinist Glenn Christensen.

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That conversation led the foundation to sponsor the festival and expand its reach beyond Mackay, and this year renowned artists from EnsembleQ presented a concert at the Isaac Community Centre for students from Moranbah, St Lawrence and surrounding communities.

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Children from the Whitsundays also participated in the festival masterclasses at the weekend.

Back at North High, Head of Department – Music Kathy George said the school could not have provided the Camerata workshop without the foundation’s support.

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“The students absolutely love seeing these artists visit,” Mrs George said.

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“They engage with them straight away because they move and play among the students and help them with their technical points and pitch.

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“It just opens another world to them. They know what the possibilities are beyond Mackay.”

Students worked with artistic director and orchestra leader Brendan Joyce, principal second violinist and education manager Jonny Ng, violist Sophie Ellis, cellist Rory Smith and principal double bassist Marian Heckenberg.

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Camerata musicians were highly impressed by the combined ensemble, with discussions under way about a longer future visit culminating in a grand finale concert.

Camerata visited Mackay for the Mackay Chamber Music Festival, with support from Arts Queensland and sponsorship from the Hannan Mason Foundation.

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