The Riverina Summer School for Strings
See the video from the 2020 school
Saturday 11 January 2025:
Registration from 1.00 - 4.30 pm at Wagga Wagga Public School, 70 Gurwood St, Wagga Wagga: collect your name tag and updated information about the school
Bush dance with the renowned Tin Shed Rattlers at 7.30 pm.
The daily program from Sunday 12 January - Friday 17 January:
The Riverina Summer School for Strings is divided into five main sections:
Nelson Cooke Orchestra & Tamaris Pfeiffer Ensemble
Charles Sturt Orchestra & Carl Pini Ensemble
Andante Adult Ensemble
Classical guitar
Mandolin
Nelson Cooke Orchestra & Tamaris Pfeiffer Ensemble - younger/less experienced players
Sessions run 9.00 - 3.00
The Nelson Cooke Orchestra and Tamaris Pfeiffer Ensemble will develop ensemble playing and team work within a fun musical environment. Special emphasis will be placed on developing:
rhythmic skills
listening skills (intonation, tempo, dynamics)
sight reading
leadership qualities
concentration
understanding the role of a conductor
rehearsal techniques and how an orchestra functions
general musical history about composers and playing styles
There will also be a daily element of chamber music where the students will play in small mixed instrumental combinations. The week-long program will culminate in an opportunity to perform in the final concert.
Charles Sturt Orchestra & Carl Pini Ensemble - older/more experienced players
Rehearsal: 9.00 - 10.30
The Charles Sturt Orchestra and Carl Pini Ensemble groups are for more experienced players and over the week will prepare a variety of works in a range of styles for presentation at the final concert.
Note: Membership of either orchestra or ensemble is not based purely on age and exceptions may be made where younger players of special ability would benefit from participating with more mature performers and for older players who would prefer to work in less-experienced group.
Sectional classes: 11.00 - 12.00
Each morning after the orchestra rehearsal, separate classes are offered in instrumental groups. These classes provide a rare opportunity to learn from outstanding teachers of each instrument and cover such things as repertoire, interpretation, posture and technique.
Andante Adult Ensemble 9.00 - 12.00
A chance for “late starters” and “lapsed learners” to play with other adults while working on a variety of pieces that aren’t too complicated and still sound great even if played a little more Andante than might have originally been intended. A range of classical, popular and celtic quartet and ensemble music will be provided and participants are welcome to bring something they are interested in. The afternoon will be taken up with Chamber Music or Mandolins, Guitars & Bowed Strings from 2.00 - 4.00. When submitting your enrolment, please indicate your interest in the Andante class in the Enrolment Comments text box.
Classical Guitar: 9.00 - 4.00
Classical guitar classes will cover fundamental and advanced techniques, phrasing, ensemble playing, knowledge of the fingerboard, harmony and sight reading. Intending classical guitar students should be of least Grade 2 AMEB level. This is a great opportunity for classical guitarists to develop new skills and broaden their musicianship. In the afternoon guitarists can combine with bowed string players or other guitarists in Chamber Music or join the Ensemble Playing in World Music class
The Mandolin in Traditional Music: 9.00 - 12.00
Focusing on traditional music from Ireland and Scotland but also branching out further afield, this class will look at how the mandolin (and other plectrum based stringed instruments) fits with music from tradition. We will dissect technique and learn how to listen to melody and rhythm in a way that can be applied to the instrument. In the afternoon, participants in this class will join in the Afternoon Ensemble Elective: Ensemble Playing in World Music: 2-4pm
Lunchtime Concerts: 12.00 - 1.00
All students are encouraged to participate in these informal concerts held from Sunday through to Friday as they are a great chance to play in front of a supportive audience. Solos are best to be done in the first few days, as later in the week there is higher demand and most of the programs are made up of ensembles.
Electives - Chamber Music/Mandolins, Guitars and Bowed Strings/Masterclass: 2.00 - 4.00
Chamber Music
Students who choose to participate in chamber music are organised into quartets and other string ensembles wherever possible. They will be assisted in forming groups and selecting repertoire on the Sunday and will be allocated a tutor to work with them. It is important to be aware that it is not possible for every chamber group to have a tutor with them at all times - students are expected to be able to independently apply the insights provided by tutor.
The Friday lunch-time concert will specifically focus on performances by chamber groups who have prepared material during the week.
Ensemble Playing in World Music
This class will examine the traditional music session and how to ‘hear' traditional melodies. We will look at the arranging for traditions that are modal (i.e. those without traditional arrangement beyond melody and rhythm) in a way that can be both formal and improvised.
Masterclass
The Masterclass elective is for advanced string players from AMusA and above and has a focus on solo repertoire. This will be a small class in the afternoon session for violin, viola, cello and bass players. It will be supervised by RSSS music director Sue Collins and will also include different instrumentalists from the artistic faculty. To participate, send an expression of interest to contact@summerstrings.com.au.
Saturday 18 January 2025:
Sound check at Wagga Civic Theatre 9.30 am - 12.00 pm
Lunch 12.00 - 1.30 pm
Grand Finale Concert at Wagga Civic Theatre 2.00 pm - 4.30 pm
End of school 5.00 pm
The artistic faculty of the Riverina Summer School for Strings includes some of the best musicians and educators in Australia
The Riverina Festival of Strings Concert Series
The Riverina Festival of Strings Concert Series for 2025 will take place at St Johns Church, 6-12 Church St Wagga Wagga.
The performances will be held on Sunday 12, Monday 13, Wednesday 15, Thursday 16 and Friday 17 January 2025.
Riverina Festival of Strings
Sounds of Summer Concert Series 2025
St Johns Church, Church St Wagga Wagga
7.30 pm
The program for the 2025 Festival of Strings is still being devised and further details will be posted in September.
2025 Tuition Prices
Tuition: $460
Tuition deposit: $230
Tuition payment closing: 29/11/24
Venues:
In 2025 the Riverina Summer School for Strings will take place at two adjacent venues ie Riverina Conservatorium of Music at 1 Simmons St Wagga Wagga and Wagga Wagga Public School at 70 Gurwood St. All daytime events such as rehearsals and classes and the lunchtime concert will be at these venues. Morning and afternoon teas will be provided and catering arrangements for lunch will be organised for participants to order a day in advance
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series will be held in St Johns Church at 6 -12 Church St Wagga Wagga and the Grande Finale Concert will be at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Accommodation:
The Riverina Summer School for Strings has no accommodation facilities, so families will need to make their own arrangements by contacting local providers such as motels, caravan parks and bed and breakfasts. Please see a list of some accommodation providers below.
For information on things to see and do in and around Wagga, go to Visit Wagga
The next RSSS is from Saturday 11 - Saturday 18 January 2025
Enrolments for RSSS 2025 are now open and you can secure a place by paying full price or deposit with your enrolment. A receipt will be issued once the enrolment and payment has been received.
For further information please email contact@summerstrings.com.au or ring 0428 695 577
Once you have completed an enrolment, bowed string players not aiming for the Andante adult group will be sent details for doing a short video audition so that we can get an idea of your playing to facilitate placement in the most appropriate orchestra ie Nelson Cooke, Tamaris Pfeiffer, Charles Sturt or Carl Pini. This will also help us organise elective chamber groups for the afternoon session. We ask for any excerpt/part/piece that you are currently working on up to three minutes long and also a scale of your choice from one to three octaves.
Please fill out and submit the following form for an online enrolment.
By submitting this enrolment you agree that your photographic or video image can be used by the RSSS for the purpose of school publicity
By submitting this enrolment you agree that your photographic or video image can be used by the RSSS for the purpose of school publicity
1. If paying by direct deposit, please indicate the student name as the reference detail.
Beyond Bank BSB 325-185
Riverina Summer School for Strings Acc No 38717285
2. If paying by credit card, we will send you an email for credit card processing via Square
3. If paying by cheque, please make it out to Riverina Summer School for Strings and post to: 161 Lake Albert Road Kooringal, NSW, 2650
About The Riverina Summer School for Strings
The Riverina Summer School for Strings is a residential string school that takes place in Wagga Wagga, NSW in the second or third week of January each year. It is a non-profit organisation run by a volunteer committee. It was founded by internationally recognised Australian cellist Nelson Cooke in 1988 in order to provide a fully-immersive string experience for students of all ages and abilities in a regional Australian setting. It is open to bowed string players and guitarists of all ages and regularly attracts some of Australia's best string players to its staff. In addition to Nelson Cooke, it has been lead by highly regarded performers and teachers such as Christopher Martin, Carl Pini and Goetz Richter. The next annual school will be held in January 2024 and esteemed violinist Dr Susan Collins will return as music director.
RSSS Child Protection and Code of Conduct Policies
The Riverina Summer School for Strings is committed to the overall welfare and wellbeing of all staff, students and volunteers involved in the school. In particular, the Riverina Summer School for Strings is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse. Everyone working at Riverina Summer School for Strings is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.
Please click on the links below to see and read the RSSS Code of Conduct Policy and RSSS Child Protection Policy
Please find the RSSS Code of Conduct Policy for Staff and Volunteers here
Pease find the RSSS Child Protection Policy here
Riverina Summer School for Strings
161 Lake Albert Road Kooringal, NSW, 2650
contact@summerstrings.com.au
0428 695 577
The Riverina Summer School for Strings thanks the following sponsors for the their generous support
Peter and Frankie Reid from Sophia's Strings will be on hand throughout the summer school with spare string equipment and the expertise to fix most malfunctions or breakages. Peter will also be working on new instruments and is always keen for people to come and try out some of his wares.
