Thank you from Liz Bonnetti

Dear IPS Community

Some of you will know I was on leave last term doing some travelling and also becoming a grandparent for the first time! While I was away the String Program was   lucky to secure Margaret Butcher to fill my role as String Coordinator for the term. I knew before I left that Margaret would just step in and do an excellent job as she is a wonderful violinist, respected violin teacher, super administrator and lovely person!

 It was my sneaky plan that she fall in love with the school and students and wish to stay on in this capacity.

 I am very pleased to announce that my plan has worked and Margaret has accepted the position of Coordinator of the IPS Strings Program.

I will still be at school, taking individual lessons and StartUp Strings, but will be gratefully stepping back from the leadership and administrative role.

For those of you who might be interested in the background of this unusual primary school program…

In 1995, when my son commenced Prep at IPS, the then A.P. Bernadette Gately, called a meeting of School Council and interested parents who might have suggestions to introduce more music into the school. At that time there was no specialist music teacher on staff. My husband and I let it be known that we were performing musicians and teachers and would be willing to give some string lessons at IPS with the aim of developing school ensembles. 

From this point the program grew to what it is today, with string players blending in ensembles in the excellent classroom music program, giving all IPS students such a rich performing experience while still in primary school!

What have a handful of our students have done since StartUp Strings?

Dasha-viola and violin 

Studied at Australian National Academy of Music

Currently studying in Sweden

Toured with Mahler Chamber Orchestra

For more information on Dasha- https://euyo.web.coop/memberProfile?id=10953

Tim- double bass

VCE Top Acts performer Hamer Hall

Jazz performance, Monash University

Hamish- violin

Melbourne Scottish Folk Club

Beth- viola

Darwin Symphony Orchestra

Robert- cello

String coordinator Genazzano  College

Cello teacher

Katherine- violin

Member of an Indy band, songwriter

Leo-violin

Royal Australian Navy underwater bomb disposal diver (he plays sometimes when on land)

Elanor- Violin

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School

Josh- cello

Cello teacher Kew High School

Cristina- Violin

Actor, playwright, composer

Played violin as Mole in Botanical Gardens seasons of Wind in the Willows

Sophia- violin

Australian Youth Orchestra Chamber Players

Esplanade Trio, Australian music award

Violin teacher

…and the list goes on.

I have always been passionate about music education. The benefits to children of playing a musical instrument  in brain growth, language skills, memory and concentration, coordination, social skills, self-esteem, achievement  and discipline and of course, love of music, are now well understood and not to be underestimated. 

It has been an honour and great pleasure to me to have been given the opportunity to grow this extraordinary program of which I am also very proud.  

I would like to thank all the IPS school leaders, administrators, class teachers and enthusiastic school families whose good will and support over the 26 years has ensured the continuity and flourishing of the program. Also to the wonderful and dedicated string teachers who grew the program with me and those who take it into the future. My special thanks to Lisa Cascun for her eternal patience and assistance and Marie Morrow for her musical collaboration, creative spark and generous support of the string groups for many years.

Thanks to Margaret, who is already much loved around school, for taking over. 

But it’s not goodbye from me… see you on Tuesday! 

Liz