Hornsby South Public School String Programme

Start • Join • Grow

Kindergarten to Year 6 | Violin • Viola • Cello • Double Bass

The Hornsby South Public School String Programme gives students the opportunity to begin learning a string instrument, develop their playing and experience making music with others from the early stages of their musical journey.

Whether your child has never held an instrument before or is already an experienced young string player, there is a pathway for them at HSPS.

Enrolments are open throughout the year.

Play together. Be inspired. Inspire others.

Start

Never played before? Start here.

Students can begin their string journey from Kindergarten, with beginners welcome from every year group.

Individual after-school violin lessons are available at Hornsby South Public School. Lessons are one-to-one, allowing each student to develop at an appropriate pace while establishing the foundations of technique, music reading and musicianship.

We want students to experience making music with others relatively early in their development, rather than spending years learning only through individual lessons.

Once a student has developed the basic skills needed to participate — typically after approximately one term of regular lessons — they can progress into Beginner Strings.

Interested in Viola, Cello or Double Bass?

The programme welcomes the complete family of orchestral string instruments.

While individual tuition at HSPS is currently available for violin, we can assist families interested in viola, cello or double bass by recommending suitable teachers in the local community.

We can also assist families with finding and organising an appropriate instrument.

Join

Already learning? Come and play with us.

Students already having regular lessons on violin, viola, cello or double bass are welcome to join the HSPS String Programme.

As a general guide, students should have basic music-reading and instrumental skills and be comfortable playing approximately a one-octave scale.

This is not an audition standard. The important question is whether the student has developed enough fundamental skills to begin making music successfully with others.

Why play in an ensemble?

Individual lessons develop the player. Ensemble playing teaches young musicians how their playing fits with everyone else's.

Students learn to:

• listen and respond to other musicians;
• play confidently as part of a section;
• follow musical direction;
• balance their own part within an ensemble;
• develop rehearsal and performance skills;
• take increasing musical responsibility; and
• develop towards section and ensemble leadership.

Students are also surrounded by other young string players at different stages of their musical development.

They can be inspired by those around them and, as their own playing develops, become the musicians who inspire somebody else.

Grow

A Musical Community

The aim of Strings at HSPS is to foster musical growth with gentle technical challenge while building a community of young string players.

Not every child needs to have the same musical ambition.

There is a place for the student who simply loves playing music with friends, as well as a pathway for the student who wants to take their playing considerably further.

Through ensemble participation, students develop musicianship, confidence, independence and leadership while experiencing the satisfaction of working towards something collectively.

Performance Opportunities

Students have opportunities to participate in:

• school concerts and assemblies;
• community performances;
• special school events;
• music and band camp; and
• combined inter-school performances and activities.

These experiences allow students to take what they develop in lessons and rehearsals and turn it into live music shared with other people.

The Ensembles

Beginner Strings Monday | 7.50–8.50 am Beginner Strings introduces developing musicians to ensemble playing. Students learn how to follow a director, listen across an ensemble, maintain their own musical part and experience both the responsibility and enjoyment of making music with others. Students progress into Beginner Strings when their individual playing has developed sufficiently for successful ensemble participation. String Ensemble Wednesday | 7.50–8.50 am The String Ensemble brings together developing and more experienced violin, viola, cello and double bass students. Repertoire is selected to develop ensemble technique and musicianship while providing appropriate musical challenge and enjoyable performance experiences. As students progress, they can take greater responsibility within their section and develop their musical leadership. Ensemble Fees $220 per term The ensemble fee covers participation in the HSPS String Programme, including weekly ensemble rehearsals and preparation for school, community and combined performance activities.

Individual Tuition

Individual Violin Lessons at HSPS

Individual after-school violin lessons are available for students from complete beginner level onwards.

Lessons are taught individually and provide a pathway from a student's first experience of the violin through to ensemble participation and further musical development.

Lesson fees are available on enquiry.

Students can begin lessons throughout the year and progress into Beginner Strings when they are ready.

Viola, Cello & Double Bass Tuition

Students learning viola, cello and double bass are warmly welcomed into the String Programme.

If your child would like to begin one of these instruments but does not yet have a teacher, we can assist with recommendations within the local community.

Tuition arrangements and fees are made directly with the individual teacher.

We can also assist families with finding an appropriate instrument.

Where Can Strings Lead?

Start Here. See Where Music Takes You.

For some children, playing in Strings will simply become a valued and enjoyable part of their primary-school years.

For others, it can be the beginning of a much longer musical journey.

Students studying with Vov can continue their development beyond primary school through secondary-school music, AMEB examinations, HSC preparation and advanced performance study.

The objective is not to push every student towards the same destination. It is to provide strong foundations and an environment in which each young musician has the opportunity to discover how far they would like to go.

About the Director

Vov Dylan Vov Dylan is an Australian violinist, recording artist and educator with more than 20 years' experience teaching and directing school music programmes. Alongside an international performing and recording career, Vov works with students across the complete learning pathway — from their first experience of the violin through AMEB examinations, secondary-school music, HSC preparation and advanced performance study. His students have achieved success in examinations and eisteddfods, completed advanced performance qualifications and continued into tertiary music study. Vov is also the founder of Australia's Musical Canvas, an initiative connecting performers, composers, students and educators through contemporary Australian music. Through this work, students can encounter music not simply as something written in the past, but as a living art form — with opportunities to gain insight into Australian composers, new repertoire and the professional musical world beyond the classroom. His approach to education is centred on developing the individual while creating a musical community in which young musicians can play together, be inspired by others and, in time, inspire others themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has never played an instrument. Can they start?

Yes. Complete beginners are welcome, including students from Kindergarten.

Individual violin tuition is available after school at HSPS. For students interested in viola, cello or double bass, we can assist families with finding a suitable teacher.

Is Kindergarten too young?

No. Strings provides an opportunity for children to begin their instrumental journey from Kindergarten.

Readiness varies between individual children, and individual tuition allows teaching to be adapted to each student's stage of development.

My child already has a teacher. Can they join?

Yes.

Students do not need to take their individual lessons through the HSPS programme. Students already learning violin, viola, cello or double bass with an outside teacher are welcome.

Once they have sufficient basic playing and reading skills to participate successfully, they can join the appropriate ensemble.

Does my child need to audition?

There is no competitive audition.

The programme is based on appropriate placement. Students joining an ensemble need sufficient basic playing and reading skills to participate successfully.

If you are unsure whether your child is ready, please get in touch and we can discuss the appropriate starting point.

Does my child have to do AMEB examinations?

No.

There is room for students who simply enjoy learning and making music with others, as well as those who wish to pursue examinations, HSC Music or advanced performance study.

How much does the String Programme cost?

The HSPS String Programme is $220 per term.

Individual instrumental tuition is separate.

Do we need to own an instrument?

Not necessarily.

Please get in touch before purchasing an instrument if you are unsure. We can assist families with finding an appropriately sized instrument and discuss suitable options.

Can you help us find a viola, cello or double bass teacher?

Yes. We can recommend suitable teachers within the local community.

Can students start during the year?

Yes.

Enrolments are open throughout the year.

Students do not need to wait until the beginning of a school year to begin lessons or enquire about joining the programme.

Find Your Place in the Strings

Whether your child is picking up an instrument for the first time or is already developing as a young musician, we can help you find the appropriate next step.

Kindergarten to Year 6
Violin • Viola • Cello • Double Bass
Enrolments open all year