History

The String Beans ensemble was set up in 2000 by a group of parents whose children were learning string instruments at a local school. Parents got together to share the cost of paying a conductor to create an ensemble. Although originally designed purely to meet the needs of these particular students, it became apparent that there was a need for a local community string ensemble that did not have strict entry requirements.

Over the next few years, the String Beans developed into a group open to any child aged 8-12 who has played the violin, viola or cello for at least one year. Members come from all over the metropolitan area. Cellist and music educator Andrew Patrick was appointed as conductor, and had a pivotal role in shaping and directing the ensemble from 2000 - 2009.

The next crop

The Bean Sprouts instrumental program started in 2001 when the local school discontinued its string instrument tuition. The parents already running the String Beans were aware of the need to attract new musicians to the ensemble, and offer music education opportunities to students who would no longer be receiving them at school. On their behalf, the North Fremantle Community Association secured a grant from Lotterywest to purchase a number of violins and cellos to be provided to beginners. Funding assistance from various sources including the Department of Culture and the Arts (formerly ArtsWA) enabled the beginner lessons to be subsidised for the first year.

The Bean Sprouts program is incredibly popular, and since 2010 has been expanded to 20 places. These students receive 12 months tuition and an instrument to practice on at very low cost, allowing them and their parents to get an idea of what learning an instrument is all about before having to make a large financial commitment. Bean Sprouts continue to be recruited from North Fremantle and surrounding suburbs.

Due to funding restrictions the Bean Sprouts program is currently unavailable.

North Fremantle Community Arts Development Inc is born

With the increasing complexity of the program offerings, NoFCAD volunteers no longer had the skill and time required to co-ordinate the music and drama strands, administer the budget and documentation, keep the year's activities and performances on track, and plan and strategise the organisation's future directions. In 2004 NoFCAD became an incorporated organisation. Since this time, a part-time administrator has been employed, and in 2008 the administrator's tasks were separated into two discrete jobs - a book-keeper for financial matters and an executive officer for all other tasks.

Supporting local arts practitioners - composition and drama enrichment

In 2005, with the support of ArtsWA and Healthway, NoFCAD commissioned local composer David Pye to write an original musical work for the String Beans. At the same time, the inclusion of drama as a NoFCAD activity was trialled through a special workshop series held in the October school holidays. The resulting performance, Strings, Scandal and Feathers, was performed at the Fly By Night Club in Fremantle and extremely well received. The performance combined music and dramatic vignettes, developed by the children during the workshops, within the thematic framework provided by the original composition. David Pye attended the workshops, giving the children the valuable experience of working on a composition with its composer.

After the success of this performance, it was decided that an annual commission of new works met with NoFCAD's broader community arts development objectives. Since then we have commissioned works by String Beans musical director Andrew Patrick, new composer Alex Morris (a protege of the esteemed James Ledger) and local soprano and composer Eva-Marie Middleton.

It was also agreed that the drama component gave students greater confidence in their performances, created stronger cohesion and community within the ensemble, demonstrated links between music and other arts areas, and provided a vehicle for self-expression that positively impacted the musical product. In 2006 NoFCAD introduced a regular year-long drama program for ensemble students, designed to complement the music program.

In 2012, String Bean participation grew to a level to support a second ensemble. The Buds ensemble was formed by NoFCAD for younger players to develop their reading and ensemble skills. This exciting new group, directed by Zoe van Drunen, has grown in numbers and allows for younger players to excel at an elementary level while the String Beans have sought more challenging performance opportunites. In 2012 the String Beans received a rating of 'Excellent' in the ABODA Orchestra Festival's C Division. With a busy schedule of performances and committment to improving ensemble numbers and standard, the drama program has been discontinued.

Opportunities for Adults

In 2010, NoFCAD began an ensemble and seminar series for novice adult musicians. The Dorkestra is a chamber group open to any adult string player, and is particularly designed to be accessible for adults who have recently taken up music, or are returning to music after a break. Dorkestra rehearsals are a lot of fun, and are occasionally opened up to novice woodwind, brass and percussion players. The Music Appreciation Seminars are suitable for any adult with an interest in understanding more about the theory, history and practice of western classical music. No musical experience is necessary.