Get ready to embark on a musical journey with the Adelaide Cello Trio at the upcoming Winter Cello Course in Sydney. Expect to be amazed by the enchanting melodies and harmonies that will fill the halls of Kambala School from 1st - 3rd July 2024. Join forces with the renowned Swiss Cellist Kurt Hess, the Sydney Cellist John Benz, and the Brisbane based cellists André Duthoit (QSO). It's a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cellos, with ensemble playing, masterclasses and more!

Who can participate?

The Winter Cello Course welcomes both beginners and experienced school age cellists.

When and where is the course?

The course will run each day from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM from Monday 1st July to Wednesday 3rd July concluding with a final concert involving workshop participants and tutors at 6:30 PM Wednesday 3rd July.

The course will take place in Sydney at Kambala School, 794 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay 2029.

Why are we presenting a cello course and ensemble workshop?

The cello ensemble is the only single instrument formation with an original repertoire spreading over more than three centuries. In addition, the repertoire can include choral, chamber and orchestral literature thanks to the possibilities of the instrument. Supervised by the Adelaide Cello Trio, the Winter Cello Workshop offers both ensemble and solo experience with workshops, masterclasses and ensemble playing that effectively allows each cellist to refine their technical and musical skills.

This inaugural Cello Course is also a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the legendary Hungarian cellist and pedagogue, Janos Starker. There will be a unique opportunity to discover the technical methods and musical concepts of Janos Starker in Kurt Hess’s recently published cello handbook “Top Secrets for Cellists” An Organized Method of String Playing.

The Cost?

The fee for the course is $350.

The tutors?

The Winter Cello Course will be led by the Adelaide Cello Trio, uniting three highly accomplished cellists: Kurt Hess from Switzerland, John Benz from Sydney and Brisbane based cellist André Duthoit (QSO). These three musicians have been performing together in Europe regularly since 2002, presenting concerts with diverse programmes including both original and arranged repertoire, from baroque to contemporary works.

The ensemble had its origins in 1983 as a core of the University of Adelaide Cello Ensemble. The 12 Cello Ensemble performed extensively throughout Australia and Europe and was one of the first music ensembles to produce a classical music video clip. Since 1995 the cellists continued to perform in Europe with European based members of the ensemble.

In 2024, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the legendary cellist Janos Starker who is the pedagogical cello father for the original Adelaide Cello Ensemble and many of its members, the cellists will reunite for concerts in Sydney and Wollongong as well as presenting a Winter Cello Workshop at Kambala in Rose Bay.

Kurt Hess lives in Beromünster, Switzerland. He studied at the Lucerne Conservatory and at Indiana University in Bloomington with the legendary Hungarian cellist Janos Starker, graduating with a high distinction and obtaining the prestigious “Artist Diploma”.

Kurt Hess was Senior Lecturer at the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide from 1978-1987. Since his return to Switzerland, he has led a busy concert and teaching schedule, with concert tours in Europe, to South America, the Middle and Far East. He has recorded the 6 Suites for Cello by

J. S. Bach as well as virtuosic works for Cello and Piano. Recently, the music publishing house Schott published his handbook and guide to the technical methods and musical concepts of Janos Starker “Top Secrets for Cellists” An Organized Method of String Playing.

Kurt Hess is highly valued for his exceptional musical aesthetics and sophisticated technical mastery of his instrument.

John Benz received his musical education both in Australia and Germany. After completing his Honours Degree with Kurt Hess and Janos Laurs at the University of Adelaide in 1989 and chamber music studies with the Australian String Quartet in Adelaide, he continued his studies in Europe. He was awarded a Post Graduate Music Performance Diploma at the Staatliche Musikhochschule Freiburg in 1993. He participated in many music courses in Europe for Cello and Chamber music with world renowned artists such as Anner Bylsma, Janos Starker, Rainer Kussmaul, William Pleeth, Reinhard Goebbels and the Cleveland String Quartet. Concert Tours led him throughout Europe, Russia, Korea and the USA with the Ensemble Franz Schubert, Ensemble Cologne, and Zurich Symphony Orchestra. From 2001-2009 he was a member of the Dijon Opera Orchestra in France. After 20 years of teaching and performing in Europe, he returned to Sydney and combines his work as principal cellist of the Metropolitan Orchestra in Sydney with his teaching at Kambala as well as performing with music ensembles including the Adelaide Cello Trio.

André Duthoit was born in Tasmania in 1966 and graduated from the University of Tasmania with First Class Honours in 1988, where he was a student of Christian Wojtowicz. With an Australian Council Grant, he received lessons from Michel Strauss in Paris and Switzerland and studied with Tobias Kühne at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Andre has worked with many Australian orchestras, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked with many modern music ensembles, such as Loops and Topology. He has been a member of the Queensland Symphonic Orchestra since 1990 and has also performed as a soloist with the orchestra as well as with the QSO’s Chamber Music Series. His exquisite musicality and diverse experience in chamber music and orchestral playing complete the picture of this first-class musician.

Greetings from Adelaide Cello Trio!

Drop us a line if you want to chat about all things cello. We promise our bow strokes in response will be pitch-perfect!

Email: john_benz@kambala.nsw.edu.au