Normanhurst West Public School String Programme
Start • Join • Grow
| Kindergarten to Year 6 | Violin • Viola • Cello • Double Bass The Normanhurst West Public School String Programme brings together young string players to develop their musicianship, experience ensemble playing and become part of a musical community within the school. Whether your child is about to begin learning an instrument or is already an experienced young string player, there is a pathway towards Strings at NWPS. 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.
Students begin with regular individual tuition, developing the foundations of instrumental technique, music reading and musicianship before progressing into the String Ensemble when they are ready.
We want young musicians to experience playing with others relatively early in their development rather than spending years learning only through individual lessons.
Violin Tuition at NWPS in 2027
Expressions of interest are now being taken for individual violin tuition at Normanhurst West Public School in 2027.
The proposed programme would provide individual violin lessons at the school, creating a direct pathway from a student's first lesson towards participation in the NWPS String Ensemble.
Families interested in school-based violin tuition for 2027 are encouraged to register their interest.
Want to Start Now?
Students do not need to wait until 2027 to begin.
Individual violin lessons are available externally now, allowing students to begin developing their playing and work towards joining the NWPS String Ensemble when ready.
For students interested in viola, cello or double bass, we can also assist families by recommending suitable teachers in the local community.
We can assist with finding and organising an appropriate instrument.
JoinAlready learning? Come and play with us.Students already having regular lessons on violin, viola, cello or double bass are welcome to join the NWPS String Ensemble. As a general guide, students should have basic music-reading and instrumental skills and be comfortable playing approximately a one-octave scale. There is no audition to participate. Instead, placement is based on whether a student has developed the fundamental skills needed to participate confidently and successfully within the ensemble. We determine this in consultation with the student’s private teacher, who can review the current ensemble repertoire and advise which level is most appropriate for the student’s individual stage of development. 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:
Students also learn from the musicians around them. A developing player can be inspired by a more experienced student. As that student progresses, they can become the musician who inspires somebody else. GrowA Musical CommunityThe aim of Strings at NWPS is to foster musical growth with gentle technical challenge while building a community of young string players. Not every student needs to have the same musical ambition. There is a place for the child 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 OpportunitiesStudents have opportunities to participate in:
These experiences allow students to take what they develop in lessons and rehearsals and turn it into live music shared with other people. |  |
NWPS String Ensemble
Thursday | 7.30–8.30 am
The NWPS String Ensemble brings together violin, viola, cello and double bass students from across the school.
Repertoire is selected to develop ensemble technique and musicianship while providing appropriate musical challenge and enjoyable performance experiences.
Students learn to contribute as members of a section while developing the confidence and awareness required to become increasingly independent musicians.
As their playing develops, students can take greater responsibility within the ensemble and discover opportunities for musical leadership.
Where Can Strings Lead?
Start Here. See Where Music Takes You.
For some children, playing in Strings becomes a valued and enjoyable part of their primary-school years.
For others, it becomes the beginning of a much longer musical journey.
NWPS students have gone on to win awards at eisteddfods, achieve high-level results in AMEB examinations and complete advanced performance diplomas while still at primary school.
These achievements demonstrate what is possible, but they are not a requirement for belonging to the programme.
Students can participate simply because they enjoy playing music with others, while those who want to pursue examinations, secondary-school music, HSC Music or advanced performance study have a pathway to continue developing.
The objective is not to push every student towards the same destination. It is to provide strong musical 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 DylanVov 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 can start learning a string instrument from Kindergarten onwards.
Students begin with individual tuition and work towards joining the String Ensemble when they have developed sufficient basic playing and reading skills.
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.
Are violin lessons available at NWPS?
Expressions of interest are currently being taken for individual violin tuition at NWPS in 2027.
Families interested in having their child learn violin at school are encouraged to register their interest.
Individual violin tuition is also available externally now for students who would like to begin immediately.
What about viola, cello or double bass?
All orchestral string instruments are welcome in the NWPS String Ensemble.
We can assist families interested in viola, cello or double bass by recommending suitable teachers in the local community.
My child already has a teacher. Can they join?
Yes.
Students do not need to study with Vov or with a particular teacher.
Students already having regular lessons on violin, viola, cello or double bass are welcome to join once they have sufficient basic playing and reading skills to participate successfully.
Does my child need to audition?
There is no competitive audition.
The programme is based on appropriate placement. Students need sufficient basic playing and reading skills to participate successfully in the ensemble.
As a general guide, being able to read basic music and play approximately a one-octave scale is a useful starting point.
If you are unsure whether your child is ready, please get in touch.
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.
Do we need to own an instrument?
Not necessarily. There are rental options available at many outlets. But you do need your own instrument at rehearsals.
Please get in touch before purchasing or renting an instrument if you are unsure. We can assist families with finding an appropriately sized instrument and discuss suitable options.
Can students join 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 ensemble.
Find Your Place in the StringsWhether 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 Enquire or Register Your InterestWebsite: vovdylan.com/nwps Families are welcome to get in touch about:
Start • Join • GrowPlay together. Be inspired. Inspire others. |