Our ensembles
Melbourne String Ensemble offers a pathway for young string players from their very first ensemble experience through to advanced chamber and orchestral performance. Since 1985, MSE has grown alongside its musicians. Each of our five ensembles is designed to meet players where they are, and challenge them to grow.
As on our Auditions page, AMEB grades below are a rough guide only, not a requirement. Our directors assess each musician directly, and placement depends as much on listening, behaviour, and maturity as it does on technical ability, because playing in an ensemble is a different skill from playing as a soloist.
MSE
Directed by Fintan Murphy
Approximate level guide: AMEB Grade 8+
Directed by Fintan Murphy, MSE is our flagship ensemble, offering musicians an unparalleled opportunity to perform high-quality repertoire alongside some of Melbourne's most talented young string players. Members develop ensemble, chamber, and advanced musicianship skills, and regularly take part in masterclasses with some of Australia's most accomplished professional musicians.
MSE tours internationally, and many of our soloists and most accomplished alumni have come through this ensemble. It's often where a musician's MSE journey culminates, with many staying on for years as they continue to grow.
MSE Chamber
Directed by Fintan Murphy & Danielle Arcaro
Approximate level guide: AMEB Grade 7+
A more independently focused, self-directed ensemble experience. Chamber musicians continue to refine how they listen and respond to one another in much smaller playing groups, honing the skills that prepare them for MSE's flagship ensemble.
Musicians bring a high degree of personal preparation and initiative to rehearsals, working closely with one another and their Music Directors on the nuance and interpretation that chamber playing demands - taking real ownership of what small-group playing requires from each individual, in pursuit of a shared musical goal.
MSE Intermezzo
Directed by Rohan Mack
Approximate level guide: AMEB Grade 6+
Intermezzo develops the skills of players performing at a high level but not yet ready for the senior ensemble. By this stage, musicians are already highly capable and are starting to develop their own learning style and instincts on their chosen instrument, discovering the practice approaches that help them achieve their best sound, tone, and technique.
Intermezzo builds both ensemble skills and the technical mastery advanced ensemble playing demands, sharpening musical teamwork as musicians prepare for the next stage of their MSE journey.
MSE Prelude
Directed by Naomi Durston
Approximate level guide: AMEB Grade 3-6
Prelude builds on the foundations laid in Arietta, giving musicians a warm and nurturing environment as they continue developing their ensemble and performance skills. Students rehearse and perform an eclectic range of repertoire, discovering a real love of orchestral playing along the way.
Many Prelude players arrive with some experience in school orchestras or at string camps. Here, they learn what it truly means to play as part of a group - a skill quite different from playing as a soloist, and one that can take time to understand. Prelude is where that guidance and support is offered.
MSE Arietta
Directed by Naomi Durston
Approximate level guide: AMEB Preliminary - Grade 3
Arietta is MSE's newest ensemble, created to fill a gap for musicians eager to experience playing as part of a group early in their musical journey. It's built for players who are new to their instrument and new to ensemble playing alike - though musicians of any age are welcome, so long as they love their instrument and are curious to discover what it feels like to make music together.
In a warm, supportive setting, Arietta lays the real foundations of ensemble playing: listening, timing, and the simple joy of making music as a group. It's relaxed and low-pressure, and what these young musicians achieve together often surprises everyone in the room.
Versatility across the strings
For MSE violinists, ensemble musicianship can extend beyond the violin itself. As part of our long-standing crossover program, violinists in MSE and MSE Chamber may be invited to play viola for a period of time, deepening their understanding of how musical lines fit together and strengthening the ensemble as a whole.
MSE provides a suitable instrument and expert guidance throughout, and the experience is temporary, supported, and purposeful. Many musicians find that time spent on viola sharpens their listening, builds valuable alto clef reading skills, and brings a fresh perspective back to their playing on violin.