Education
The AFCM offers two exciting programs for emerging musicians, at both secondary and tertiary levels.
AFCM Winterschool Program
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
APPLY NOW
The AFCM Winterschool program is a truly amazing opportunity for young musical students around the world to gain invaluable coaching and development from some of Australia's finest chamber musicians. Our goal is to inspire, influence and educate musical students at both tertiary and secondary levels.
The Festival offers two coaching programs available, based on student age.
Advanced Winterschool
The Advanced Winterschool is held in Townsville during the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and is an unforgettable experience for emerging musicians. Students will gain access to some of Australia's leading artists for lessons, masterclasses, mentoring and concerts. Advanced/tertiary level ensembles are invited to apply. A warm welcome in sunny seaside Townsville is assured, as are first-rate concert experiences and coaching at an expert level. Affordable, educational and potentially life-changing.
Loyd van’t Hoff – Winterschool Director
Lauded by Limelight Magazine for his “life-affirming music-making”, Lloyd Van’t Hoff enjoys a career as a vibrant young clarinettist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator. Having been crowned the 2015 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year, Lloyd regularly performs as a concerto soloist and tutti player with many of Australia’s symphony orchestras and as a soloist and chamber musician at festivals and venues around Australia and the globe.
Student Fees: $399 per student
Program includes:
- 9-day coaching and development program 29 July - 6 August 2022
- Private and public masterclasses with leading musicians
- Performances in front of Festival and local audiences including participation in the ‘Advanced Concert’
- Networking opportunities with Festival Artists
- Private ensemble coaching from the Winterschool Director
- Entry to selected Festival concerts held at the Townsville Civic Theatre
- Complimentary AFCM Program and Welcome Pack
- Entry to all AFCM Festival Concerts held at the Townsville Civic Theatre
- Airport Transfers and Transport between your Hotel and Coaching Session Venues / Masterclasses
Accepted student ensembles are responsible for their own airfares to/from Townsville, accommodation throughout the program, and general expenses including meals & refreshments.
Applications are open NOW and close on 30 April 2022. Application forms are available here
Attend a Winterschool Public Masterclass during AFCM
AFCM is pleased to be collaborating with Monash University on the AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL DISCOVERY PROJECT - Signature Pedagogies in Creative Collaboration: Lessons for and from music.
If you have attended Australian Festival of Chamber Music Winterschool, Banff Chamber Music Residency, Toronto Summer Music Festival or International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove they would love to hear about your experience and the impact this has had on your career. Click here for more information.
Winterschool Outreach Program
The AFCM Winterschool Outreach program provides an extraordinary opportunity for an emerging ensemble to give concerts and create a profile throughout the festival. Through a series of workshops and performances at local secondary schools and theatres in the region, and led by Winterschool Director Lloyd van’t Hoff, the Outreach Program will feature 2021 Masterclass Alumni, the Amiti Quartet.
AFCM Winterschool Outreach Program Date & Venues
- Saturday, July 23, 2022, 6:00pm - World Theatre Charters Towers: CONCERT (See venue for ticketing details)
- Sunday, July 24, 2022, 4:00pm - Tyto Wetlands: CONCERT (See venue for ticketing details)
- Monday, July 25, 2022, 10:30am - Ayr State High School: STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Monday, July 25, 2022, 5:30pm - Central Plaza James Cook University: CONCERT (See venue for ticketing details)
- Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 10:00am - St Patrick's College Auditorium: STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 2:00pm - Cathedral School: STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 6:30pm - Burdekin Theatre: CONCERT (See venue for ticketing details)
- Thursday, July 28, 2022, 10:30am - Pimlico High School: STUDENT WORKSHOP
- Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 3:30pm - Townsville Grammar School: STUDENT WORKSHOP
Theodore Kuchar Scholarship
The recipient of the 2021 Theodore Kuchar Scholarship is...
AIMEE SEGAL
In November 2021, Townsville Grammar School student Aimee Segal was announced as the 2021 Winner of the Theodor Kuchar Scholarship for Excellence in Music.
“I am incredibly grateful that this scholarship will help further my studies in music with the hope of one day becoming a professional musician.
“These funds will give me the opportunity to attend some specialist woodwind and bassoon courses in Brisbane, as well as allowing me to have some face-to-face lessons with my tutor. These funds will contribute to the maintenance of my instrument as well,” said Aimee.
Congratulations Aimee. We are looking forward to seeing where this opportunity takes you.
About the scholarship
The Scholarship
The Townsville City Council has a long history of supporting arts and cultural events in the city. One of the City's signature events is the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM). Commencing in 1990, through the vision of Theodore Kuchar, the AFCM has developed into one of Australia's most significant cultural events. Theodore Kuchar’s contribution has enhanced and developed Townsville's cultural identity both nationally and internationally. Now, in recognition of Theodore Kuchar’s outstanding contribution, the Townsville City Council in partnership with the AFCM has initiated this unique scholarship as part of the Council's Youth Opportunity Fund.
The Theodore Kuchar Scholarship has been developed to support young emerging Townsville orchestral musicians with the costs of tuition and professional development. The Scholarship awards a Year Eleven student with $4,000, to be used to pay for instrumental tuition and/or professional development. The scholarship will be $2,000 per year for two years, paid during Years Eleven and Twelve.