2025 Regional Residencies

Mini intensives for regional students

The Strike A Chord Regional Residencies took professional artists to regional schools for short, targeted bursts of coaching, workshops and performance. The aim was simple. Support committed regional programs facing distance and resource barriers and build skills and confidence where they are needed most.

Where and when

• Maryborough Education Centre, VIC: 19–20 May 2025
• Spinifex State College, Mount Isa, QLD: 18–19 September 2025

What happened

 • Tailored tutorials, workshops and side by side performance opportunities designed in consultation with local teachers.

• In Maryborough, the Partridge String Quartet delivered workshops, tutorials, individual lessons and a side by side performance with 25 students across 4 chamber groups and a tutti group

• In Mount Isa, Arcadia Winds worked with 21 students in 9 groups, finishing with a shared performance

Impact Teachers reported stronger ensemble skills, higher confidence and clearer pathways for students to continue chamber music locally. The residencies provided access that distance and cost often prevent, and encouraged students to see chamber music as viable and exciting in their own communities.

 Sarina Walters, Performing Arts and Music Coordinator at Maryborough Education Centre, talks about the experience of having the Partridge String Quartet deliver workshops, tutorials, individual lessons to 25 students across 4 chamber groups and a tutti group.