Applications are NOW OPEN for the prestigious 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music International Masterclasses Program
Applications are NOW OPEN for young and emerging musicians in ensembles from across the country to register for the prestigious Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) International Masterclasses Program, to be led by acclaimed music maker, clarinettist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator Lloyd van’t Hoff in Townsville-Gurambilbarra in North Queensland.
Held from 23 July to 2 August, 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!
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
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.
“The AFCM International Masterclasses Program is an unforgettable experience for emerging musicians over 10 days of coaching and development which culminates in a concert by all attending ensembles on Friday 4 August,” said Program Director Lloyd van’t Hoff.
“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!”
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 year’s 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 who 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.
“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.
About AFCM Education Program Director, Lloyd van’t Hoff
Born in Darwin, Australia, Lloyd came to prominence as the winner of the Grand Prize and Sir Charles Moses Trophy, along with the Triffitt Prize in the 2015 Symphony Australia ABC Young Performers Awards. As a recitalist, he has performed at the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, City Recital Hall, and Elder Hall. He has served as causal teaching faculty at Melbourne University and the Yale School of Music, has been a guest artist in residence at the Karlstad Universitet Muikhogskolan Ingesund in Sweden, and has conducted masterclasses and teaching residencies in the USA, Canada and throughout Australia. Currently, van't Hoff serves as Head of Woodwind at the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium.
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)
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC
Under the Artistic Directorship of the internationally acclaimed Jack Liebeck, the 2024 AFCM will take place in Townsville-Gurambilbarra from 26 July to 4 August. It is a unique 10-day event that entertains and moves audiences with its variety of concerts, stunning line-up of international and Australian musicians and friendly atmosphere. Over 30 music-filled years, the AFCM has forged an impressive international reputation as one of the best chamber music celebrations in the world. AFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council.
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
26 July to 4 August 2024 in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, North Queensland
Concert tickets, Festival passes and holiday packages on sale now
www.afcm.com.au | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcm
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Townsville – the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun; and Bindal people. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders – past and present – and all future generations. We recognise and value the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our creative and artistic endeavours.
Key Facts:
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
Contact details:
Kath Rose | 0416 291 493 | kath@kathrose.com
