An exciting new chamber music mentoring program has welcomed young string players from the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra to learn from renowned local musicians.

Rising Stars is an initiative of the inaugural Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, to be held from June 18-20.

Chairman Ralph Devlin said the vision of the new festival was to inspire and enrich people’s lives through chamber music by sharing the diversity, excellence and dynamism of Australian artists, especially local talent, through nine innovative performances in stunning spaces across the Sunshine Coast region.

“We have created a vibrant and ambitious program over three days, that sets the foundation for further spectacular, annual chamber music festivals to come,” Mr Devlin said.

Local cellist and producer, Louse King, is the festival’s inaugural Artistic Director and has designed the program to bring musicians and artists together, providing them with stages and audiences to perform again after challenging times.

“All of the arts industry has endured hard times over the last 12 months and this festival will help regenerate the arts and culture in our region,” Ms King said.

“I am particularly thrilled to be leading the Rising Stars program to give vital support to young, emerging musicians.”

The Rising Stars mentorship program enables eight young people to work with Ms King and musicians from the Brisbane-based chamber orchestra, Camerata.

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Brendan Joyce, Camerata’s Artistic Director, will also guide the aspiring musicians.

“In a way, Camerata was born out of the ideals of learning and having fun through music-making, so working with this exciting new chamber music festival and local teachers to nurture young musicians is both an opportunity and a privilege for us.” Mr. Joyce said.

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Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra Director Maria Salmon supported the unparalleled and unique experience that the mentoring program offers.

“We are pleased to partner with the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival and Camerata,” she said.

“The key strength of this program is that musicians considering a future career can learn from professional musicians and gain valuable performance opportunities during the festival before live audiences.”

Students have begun the 12-week program, engaging in lively sessions to build skills and develop techniques and insights about playing in a string quartet.

After four intensive workshops, the two string quartets will perform alongside professional musicians in the festival’s closing performance, Heartland, at Buderim on Sunday, June 20.

Local string teachers will also benefit from the program and were invited to join a free professional development workshop on April 30.

There is another on June 11, where they can work with the students and professional musicians to hone their own skills and knowledge of chamber music performance techniques.

Teachers can register at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rising-stars-teacher-pd-workshops-tickets-150440759361

Music lovers can support Rising Stars by attending the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival’s finale concert, Heartland, at the Buderim Park Sound Shell at 2pm, June 20.

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Tickets will be released soon.

Workshop

PAC Chancellor State College High School Campus, 164 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast. Friday, June 11, 4.30pm – 6.30pm