AMEB Viola Preliminary – Grade 4: A deep dive into the new syllabus

Come along to this Zoom workshop with Helen Tuckey and Janet Fernandes, two of the AMEB’s viola consultants for the new series 2 syllabus.
Helen will introduce the new viola Technical Work book, giving insights into the underlying framework of the book and many practical tips and hints on preparing students for examination.
Janet will discuss the levels of difficulty within each list from Preliminary to Grade 4 and give her rationale for the choice of each piece in the grade books.
Bring along your copies of the new books and your questions and join Helen and Janet for an afternoon of technical and musical exploration.

If you are a violinist, cellist or bassist who also teaches viola occasionally, this is a workshop for you. You will be welcomed into the alto clef team!

Questions in advance for either presenter may be submitted by completing the form below or by emailing admin@austa.asn.au

This webinar will be recorded and made available as an Encore Event for all ticket holders. Encore Event Date TBA. 

Date: Sunday Oct 27

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Time:

• 2.00 – 4.00pm AEDT
• 11.00 – 1.00pm WA
• 1.00 – 3.00pm QLD
• 1.30 – 3.30pm SA
• 12.30 – 2.30pm NT

Registration: BOOK NOW!

Early bird pricing
(before October 7)
Members $20, Non-members $40

Standard pricing
(from October 7)
Members $30, Non-members $55

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Thanks to our friends at Zenith Music, all ticketholders will go into the draw to win a prize package which includes a signed copy of the AMEB Viola Technical Work Book! Learn more about the prize pack and Zenith Music below!

Zenith Music: Signed Viola prize pack

Helen Tuckey

Helen Tuckey is a viola player and member of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. In addition to Orchestral work, she participates in small ensemble work and is involved in community outreach and education. Besides WASO, she has worked in several other professional orchestras interstate and overseas.

Originally from Melbourne, Helen’s formative teachers include Andre Hadges and Paul O’Brien. This was followed by several years of study in New York at Manhattan School of Music with Lillian Fuchs.

Teaching has always played a significant role in Helen’s professional life. An enthusiastic private studio teacher, a number of her past students are now performers and teachers. As a player and teacher, she has been fortunate to be influenced by a broad range of performers and teachers, including Paul Rolland, William Primrose, Shinichi Suzuki, Sheila Nelson, Maxim Rysanov, Patricia Pollett, Robyn Brookfield, Barry Green, Mark O’Connor, Joanna May, Molly Gebrian, Atar Arad, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Martha Mooke and Molly Sharp. Helen has been involved in professional musical associations, serving on committees in various roles, including a period as National President for the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA). Recently she was honoured to receive a service award from the Australia and New Zealand Viola Society.

An experienced adjudicator and AMEB examiner, Helen was appointed as the Principal Consultant for the AMEB Viola syllabus review in 2023.

Janet Fernandes

Janet’s music education began in New Zealand where she learnt piano and clarinet before taking up the viola at the age of fourteen. She moved to Melbourne to continue her music education, studied the viola with Paul O’Brien and Marco van Pagee, and graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1980.

From 1982, Janet spent two years at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in the Netherlands studying the viola with Jurgen Kussmaul and chamber music with Anner Bijlsma. During this time, she attended violin pedagogy lectures with Qui van Woerdekom and worked as a freelance Baroque violist in the Netherlands, Germany and France.

As a professional violist, Janet had contract work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.

Membership of AUSTA has been important to Janet throughout her long teaching career. She was a committee member in Victoria for many years.  She has been a delegate at many AUSTA Conferences, attended an International Viola Congress (Wellington, 2000) and conferences organised by ASTA (Atlanta, 2012) and ESTA (Portugal, 2024).

As a teacher, Janet has worked for the Bendigo Musician/Teacher Pilot Project and taught at a number of leading independent schools in Melbourne including Wesley College, Presbyterian Ladies College and Scotch College. Now retired, she continues to teach at her home studio, and in 2023 was appointed as the Level One consultant for the AMEB series 2 viola syllabus.

Zenith Music

Zenith Music is a West Australian family owned business established in 1969 by Lionel Cranfield and, is still owned and run by the Cranfield Family today. Zenith stocks a huge range of quality musical instruments from beginner to professional level, instrument accessories, and is home to the largest selection of sheet music in the Southern Hemisphere. The people at Zenith Music are musicians who are knowledgeable and understand the needs and requirements when you are seeking your first, more advanced, or your dream instrument. Zenith has sought after specialist brands and instrument makers that have a high commitment to the tone, feel, quality and attention to detail of their instruments. Zenith aims to provide the best for musicians from those just starting out to professionals with decades of experience. As a major supporter of music in Western Australia, Zenith Music proudly supports music programmes in schools, universities, and other institutions as well as many other organisations. Being a longterm Western Australian owned family business, Zenith Music is committed to music and music education meaning you can trust Zenith. Visit Zenith Music today at 309 Stirling Hwy Claremont WA or alternatively phone on 9383 1422 or visit online at zenithmusic.com.au