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Instruments bring music to the ears of students at home

Newsroom

Practising music at home will be easier now for Tasmanian Youth Orchestra members, thanks to a generous donation of instruments from the University of Tasmania.

Following their recent move to The Hedberg creative and performing arts centre, staff in the Music program identified 12 small-size string instruments that were no longer in use and could no longer be stored.

That is when the idea to pass them onto young TYO musicians came to light.

TYO general manager Kyna Hart said the donation of two quarter-size cellos and 10 violins at eighth, quarter and half-sizes, will be particularly useful to younger TYO members, some of whom had been practising on their parent’s full-size instruments.

While COVID-19 restrictions forced TYO to suspend all face-to-face activity, its senior members have continued working hard, rehearsing online and preparing recordings for digital performances.

“We are very grateful for this generous donation from the Con as these smaller instruments will be invaluable in supporting our very young string players,” Ms Hart said.

“Playing the right-size instrument is a much more enjoyable experience for young players, as it limits any physical pressures and it also supports the development of good technique from the outset.”

Any instruments not used by TYO members will be made available for community hire at minimal cost, through TYO’s instrument library.

Head of the University’s School of Creative Arts and Media Associate Professor Meg Keating said it was wonderful to have found a good home for the instruments.

“In this current climate especially, it feels really great to be able to pass these instruments on to the TYO,” Associate Professor Keating said.

“The instruments are in good condition – so it is terrific they have found a home.”

Founded in 1965, the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra is one of the oldest state youth orchestras in Australia and delivers classical music education, development and performance programs young Tasmanian musicians and singers, aged between five and 25. The School of Creative Arts and Media is part of the University’s College of Arts, Law and Education.

Image: Kyna Hart General Manager TYO (left), Dr Arabella Teniswood-Harvey (middle) Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Classical Performance at the Conservatorium of Music and Associate  Professor Meg Keating (right) School of Creative Arts and Media Head of School