Junior Strings is a non-auditioned ensemble for Year 9 and 10 music students at Burnside High School which involves over 50 talented students playing the violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

This year Junior strings has played pieces ranging from classical to 20th century string orchestra works.

Junior Strings has had a very successful year and has performed in events such as the Aurora Festival, where they received a Silver award, Orchestral Showcase, and the Junior Showcase. Junior Strings has worked really hard throughout the year and participated in weekly rehearsals which were held for one period and additional lunch time sectionals. Thank you to Grace Stainthorpe, Anne Clark, Carlo Ballara and our Year 13 student conductors, Eamonn Daly and Alan Kao for your amazing work, leadership and help throughout the year, we couldn’t have done it without you!

A notable highlight of 2023 was the ensemble’s participation in the Junior Showcase, offering a platform for students to display their musical talents at the grand end of year event. Junior Strings performed pieces including Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius and the 4th and 7th movement of the Bartok Romanian Folk Dances where our amazing concertmaster of junior strings this year, Yichen Li, played the solo for the 4th movement. To finish the showcase, Junior Strings played the well known Imperial March from the Star Wars theme composed by John Williams as a massed item with some of the other junior ensembles.

As the leader of the second violins in junior strings, I have really enjoyed being part of this ensemble for the past two years and have loved meeting new people, having fun, and playing music together as a big group. Junior strings has helped me become a better leader and helped me gain more confidence when performing on stage. Thank you Junior Strings for a fabulous year! It was a great experience to be part of this awesome bunch of brilliant musicians!