Arabella Logan shows-off 1750s violin at Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer Camp

And it wasn’t just any violin she used during her week-long tenure: for the first time, 11-year-old Arabella had the chance to play on an Italian masterpiece, a violin made in Cremona, Italy (the city of legendary violin-makers Stradivari, Guarneri and Amati) in 1750.

Arabella’s dad, Graeme Logan, said Arabella’s grandfather had been a violinist in New Zealand, as had her great-grandfather, and the old violin was a family heirloom passed down through the family. It was only this year that Arabella acquired the valuable piece - a present from her grandmother.

“When Arabella played the violin at Summer School it was the first time it had been used after being restored,” said Mr Logan.

The violin is in wonderful shape, and shows the wear of hundreds of years of use by generations of loving owners. The family still has the instrument’s original case which is beautifully tattered, with aging stickers from being sent to New Zealand via post all those years ago. The bow Arabella uses is from 1800s Germany, and is constructed with Mongolian stallion hair, with mother of pearl and silver detailing.

“It’s a beautiful sounding violin. It was played in a number of orchestras around the world - the last one we know of was the West Australian Symphony Orchestra,” said Mr Logan.

“Violins of that age have a lot of history, and for it to be in that good condition is amazing. That violin was made before Australia was even discovered by Captain Cook!”

When Arabella began learning violin she used a 1/2 violin and moved up to a 3/4 violin in Year 4. This year’s SYO Summer School was the first time she’d used a 4/4 (or full size) violin.

“All Arabella's violins are pre loved family instruments dating back many generations from her grandfather,” said Mr Logan.

Arabella was one of 230 pupils from regional NSW to attend this year’s SYO Summer School, held from Monday, 8 to Friday, 12 January at St Mary's Cathedral College and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

She was part of a small group working with Peter Corkill in the Bach string ensemble, which culminated in a sold-out concert at Verbrugghen Hall within The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Mr Corkill has over 20 years experience coordinating school string programs, and is head of extra-curricular music at Kambala private girls’ school in Rose Bay.

Arabella said working with Mr Corkill helped her improve her sight reading and her musical ability.

“I loved it - it was absolutely fantastic. I met so many friends. It was amazing,” she said.

“I’d gone the year before. That was amazing as well. I’ll definitely try to go again next year, it was really good value and the conductors were amazing.”

Now in its third year, the SYO Summer School provides a week-long open music program with choir rehearsals, large ensemble playing, masterclasses and tutorials, music theory and information sessions. The program is open to all school-aged students in NSW, and this year the youngest attendee was five years old and the oldest was 19.

Mr Logan said St Paul’s Grammar has a very good music program and Arabella plays in the strings group and the junior school band, and is also a solo violinist with the school.

“She also sings with the choir,” Mr Logan said. “At Summer School they emphasis a lot of singing with the choir. Some experts say those who sing well, play violin well also. Arabella enjoys singing so she’s been in the choir for the last five years.”

Arabella began learning the violin in Year 1 at St Paul's Grammar Junior School from Mrs Lynne Trappel - a Hawkesbury resident and violin teacher. Over the years she has developed a great love and appreciation for the instrument and is committed to her musical journey.

Arabella enjoys performing and has played at every school Conservatorium music concert since beginning her learning as a solo artist, and she has also been part of the school’s Junior String Ensemble for the past three years (she was the youngest member for two of these years).

Arabella has performed at two Sound Scape concerts and joined Mr Brooker’s bush band at the school bush dance in 2016. In the same year, she played the lead violin solo at the St Paul's Christmas concert performing Christmas - Eve Sarajevo 12 - 24 under the conductorship of Mrs Jarman.

Arabella is a member of the junior school band playing the violin, and was the only Year 5 student and youngest violinist to represent St Paul's Junior School at the HICES four-day Music Festival 2017.

She has been an active member of The Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer School and Master Class programs for the past two years and has had the opportunity to perform at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, St Mary's Cathedral College and The Sydney Town Hall.

“Arabella regularly performs at Christmas concerts to the much loved enjoyment of the audience along with family gatherings,” said Mr Logan.

“Arabella enjoys music at St Paul's Junior School joining the Choir in Year 1 and continues singing with the Choir in Year 6 this year. Arabella is currently studying for her AMEB level 4 violin exams. Arabella was awarded from the St Paul's Music Academy ‘The Music Performer for 2017’ St Paul's Primary School.”