Strings Attached: Craft, Pedagogy & Interpretation for String Players

Zoe Freisberg – Teaching Strings to Primary Age Children: Foundations That Last

Aimed at classroom and studio teachers alike, this lecture focuses on the critical early years of string education. We explore how the habits, attitudes and physical foundations established at primary level shape a musician for life. Topics covered include age-appropriate instrument selection, posture, bow hold and group teaching strategies to make early lessons both joyful and purposeful.

Wednesday 12 August 7.30–9.00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

Dr Edith Salzmann – The Cello: A Journey Through History, Evolving Technique and the Freedom of Movement

The cello has undergone a remarkable transformation, from its early role as a bass instrument to its modern identity as a versatile and expressive solo voice. This lecture explores the historical development of cello playing, tracing changing approaches to posture, fingerings and bow hold, and examining how a natural and efficient technique can reduce unnecessary tension in both hands, enhance freedom of movement, and unlock a more open and expressive sound.

Wednesday 19 August 7.30–9:00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

Dr Elizabeth Layton – The Violin: Precision, Expression and the Search for Sound

The pursuit of ‘beauty of sound’ shapes our practice habits and identity as performers. In this lecture we explore bow technique and tone production, aiming to understand the physical principles behind sound. Shifting and vibrato complement bow technique as expressive tools and a variety of teaching methods that enable the widest range of musical choices are discussed. We also consider the pivotal transition from school to tertiary study, and how teachers can help prepare their students for university life.

* Wednesday 26 August 7.30–9.00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

* Apologies, but due to events beyond our control we have had to postpone this lecture to the following day, Wednesday 26 August, Bishop Hall at 7.30pm. There is no need to change any tickets already booked, and recordings will be sent to those who have registered. Thank you.

Please contact Dr Elizabeth Layton at elizabeth.layton@adelaide.edu.au with any queries.

Rob Nairn – Double Bass: The Foundation Beneath Everything

The double bass is the bedrock of the orchestra, chamber ensemble and beyond — yet it remains one of the least understood and most underestimated orchestral instruments. This lecture gives the bass its due, examining its unique technical world and evolving solo repertoire. We consider the challenges of teaching the bass to beginners and the physical demands of the instrument, as well as considering the bassist’s unique ensemble responsibilities.

Wednesday 2 September 7.30–9:00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

Dr Stephen King – The Viola: Identity, Repertoire and the Art of the Middle Voice

The viola occupies a unique harmonic and expressive position in ensemble and solo performance. This lecture celebrates its distinct character while addressing the specific physical and pedagogical challenges it presents. Topics covered will include the viola's relationship to the violin: similarities, differences and common misconceptions, the physical demands of the larger instrument and building a solo and chamber identity in repertoire from Telemann to Bartók.

Wednesday 9 September 7.30–9:00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

Dr Oliver Fartach-Naini – Repertoire Choice Calibration: Facilitating Musical and Technical Proficiency for Lifelong Engagement in Music

Skill acquisition requires sustained high-quality practice, and practice is powered by motivation. The degree to which these two drivers of improvement are fuelled by repertoire choices hinges on how accurately we assess and calibrate our challenge levels. Drawing on Bruner’s Spinal Curriculum and Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow, this lecture examines how subjective perceptions and objective markers of difficulty interact to shape our students’ intrinsic motivation levels.

* Wednesday 23 September 7.30–9.00pm
Bishop Hall, Elder Hall Building – Lower Ground

* Apologies, but due to events beyond our control we have had to postpone this lecture to the following week, Wednesday 23 September, Bishop Hall at 7.30pm. There is no need to change any tickets already booked, and recordings will be sent to those who have registered. Thank you.