Program design

“I really like Pizzi because it’s fun and inclusive and we get to do lots of playing” – Raffy

The Pizzicato Effect is open to all school-aged children in the City of Hume from the age of 8.

We provide weekly ensemble-based string lessons on Mondays during school terms, culminating in two public concerts each year for family, friends, and the wider community.

Teachers

The teaching program is led by Shannon McIntosh, a specialist in community instrumental education.

Our dedicated teaching team includes Naomi Durston, Claire Fischer, Senara Wijesuriya, and Anna Kent — highly qualified string educators with deep expertise in ensemble pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, and community engagement.

Instruments

Students get to decide which instrument they would like to play from either the violin, viola or cello.

All instruments are provided free of charge to students, thanks to generous donations from individuals, schools, and Melbourne-based instrument shops.

Ongoing repair and maintenance are supported by local luthiers including Alex Grant Violins, Bows for Strings.

What we do when we meet

Ensemble based learning is the foundation of the Pizzi program. The children meet in their allocated group to play carefully chosen repertoire. In this setting they learn the technique to play their instrument as well as broader musicianship skills.

We currently offer three different levels of ensemble playing - Beginners, Ensemble and Chambers. Our Beginners level introduces the children to the foundational aspects of how to play a musical instrument. In Beginners the children choose their instrument, learn the correct posture for holding their instrument and bow, how to create a beautiful sound and the beginnings of note reading.

In Ensemble the children move to the next level of repertoire playing. They start playing more technically demanding music in multiple parts and learn the fundamentals of ensemble playing – listening and playing together. They continue to develop their technical and note reading skills.

Chambers are our most advanced students. In Chambers the music is more challenging both technically and musically. The students refine their ensemble playing skills and are introduced to more nuanced and sophisticated aspects of musicianship, all the while continuing to improve on their technical proficiency on their instrument.The Chambers students become role models for the younger children who aspire to achieve the same level of playing as their older peers.

A typical session at Pizzi sees the children meeting in their groups at 4.00pm and playing their instruments all together. Often there will be “sectionals” where we break into individual instrument groups to work on specific skills or learning specific parts. Break is at 4.45pm and is a much anticipated and important part of the program. The children socialise and connect with their friends outside, often playing active games and giving their brains a well-earned rest. We then come back to our groups at 5.00pm for the final half hour of music making.

We are located at Gladstone Park Secondary College.