History

The Melbourne String Ensemble began its musical life as the Junior Strings of Melbourne in 1985.  The orchestra was established to promote excellence in the performance of music through the development, education and training of young Australian musicians. The members of the Melbourne String Ensemble share a common love of string music and performing together in concert. The players are generally aged from 12 to 17 years and are drawn from many areas of Melbourne. The orchestra performs in an annual subscription concert series and for major community occasions and events. It has toured extensively over the last 15 years in Europe, Asia and Australasia and most recently to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Germany, New Zealand and Hong Kong performing a number of charity concerts for Rotary in each city.

Achievements

The Melbourne String Ensemble is highly regarded in Melbourne youth music. Many fine young players have passed through its ranks and progressed to senior orchestras both in Australia and overseas. It has been guided in its development by several outstanding music directors. Fintan Murphy is continuing that tradition of excellence. The MSE Chamber Ensemble for tertiary students represents an exciting new chapter in the story of the Melbourne String Ensemble. Both orchestras are administered by the Junior Strings of Melbourne Music Society, an incorporated association.

Activities

The Melbourne String Ensemble

* performs an annual subscription concert series
* performs in the Benchmark Concert Series each year with outstanding young Australian string soloists
* undertakes regional performances and tours
* regularly performs interstate in association with other youth orchestras
* performs at major community events and festivals including the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show
* tours overseas, including Asia (2000), Germany (2003)and New Zealand (2004).
* undertakes charity performances for Rotary and other organisations
* performs on a fee for service basis at private functions

Why join the Melbourne String Ensemble?

The Melbourne String Ensemble is a vital and exciting young orchestra which places importance on developing the ensemble and musical leadership skills of its members. Together with the MSE Chamber Ensemble, the Melbourne String Ensemble will play a growing important role in the future development of youth music in Melbourne and Victoria.

Musical advantages of the MSE:

* perform more advanced string repertoire, challenging and interesting than school orchestras
* learn in small group tuition with some individual tuition where needed
* player have the chance to perform a concerto with an orchestra in the annual concerto concert
* perform unconducted works in an ensemble to encourage players to work together
* learn and perform with like-minded peers in a friendly environment
* attend master classes with leading string musicians
* practise Alexander technique classes and rhythm classes