The Winterschool is an innovative feature of the AFCM and integral to the ongoing growth and development of young Australian musicians and their engagement in chamber ensembles and the music they play.

These groups have an opportunity to attend lessons and masterclasses (the latter being open to festival goers) with festival artists, “many of whom,” says clarinetist and Winterschool director, Lloyd van’t Hoff (himself, at just 32 years of age, an accomplished and assured musician and educator), “are heroes for these young musicians.”

One of the groups will be chosen to return to next year’s festival to tour the region around Townsville, giving concerts and workshops in local schools. Chosen from last year’s Winterschool was the Felix Quartet (named in reference to Mendelssohn), and they gave concerts in Ingham, Ayr, Charters Towers and Townsville (at James Cook University) and performed in the festival’s opening concert.

This year’s three ensembles (from Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney) gave performances in the Winterschool International Masterclass Concert. Each introduced their groups and the works they were to play.

The first, ARMA Quartet, comprises Grace Thorpe and Marian Kwon (violins), Mattea Osenk (viola) and William Thorpe (cello). The name comes...