ITET is a groundbreaking and truly unique program. There is no other initiative that offers gifted string students the same combination of ongoing professional mentorship, performance opportunities, collaboration, and a clear pathway into the music profession.
Through ITET, students have been empowered and inspired to pursue tertiary music studies, with several now working as professional performers and educators — sharing their own journey and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
We currently have ensembles in Broadmeadows, Bendigo, Traralgon, Shepparton, Horsham, Warrnambool, Mansfield, 2 ensembles in Bairnsdale & 3 ensembles in Mildura. John primarily selects high school students from Years 7 to 12, with a minimum playing level of Grade 4 AMEB. Students are drawn from a diverse mix of state, private, and independent schools within each region to form a dynamic string ensemble.
In areas where string players are few, John also welcomes community members and local teachers to join the ensembles, helping to strengthen musical engagement and collaboration.
Thanks to the generous support of philanthropists, local councils, trusts, and foundations, this program is offered to participants at no cost. Students benefit from regular monthly rehearsals led by inspiring mentors — including John Noble, members of the Flinders Quartet, and other accomplished professional musicians from around Australia.
Huge thanks to Artistic Patrons - Flinders Quartet, Hume Central Secondary College, Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Ulumbarra Foundation, Fairley Foundation, Mildura Rural City Council, D’Addario Australia, Fine Music, Arts Mildura, The Hub Bairnsdale, Crashendo - East Gippsland, the City of Greater Bendigo, the Australian Cultural Fund, Delatite Hotel, Bendigo Bank Mansfield & our incredible family of philanthropists/supporters including Dr. Peter Kingsbury, the McCallums, the Taeed family and others for their ongoing support.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to nurture the next generation of talented string musicians across Victoria through an exciting, innovative, and professionally mentored string quartet training program. We combine in-person and online delivery to make the program accessible statewide, providing consistent mentorship and high-level ensemble training. With your support, we can continue offering this program free of charge — opening doors to inspiring performance opportunities and helping shape future performers, educators, and cultural leaders.
““Sharing music in a small ensemble with John Noble has been so encouraging and challenging (in a positive way). Also, meeting new people connected with music through this program has been a wonderful experience; from professional mentors to sponsors to appreciative audience members. It has also personally given me some resilience to keep going with music throughout the CoVid ordeal. Having a reason to practise and connect with mentors has been very therapeutic and given me a sense of normalcy. It has also helped me to encourage others in our group to keep going with music, even with Zoom. Being part of this program is one of the most enriching and exciting things I have ever done. I truly hope it continues and grows””
What We've Achieved in 2024.
We presented 126 individual Quartet (Ensemble) Rehearsals ( Live & via our online partner - Aeyons).
We delivered 12 performances.
We partnered with Melbourne Youth Orchestras with a Celebration concert featuring all ensembles from across Victoria at the iconic ABC Iwaki Auditorium.
We partnered with Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre and Bentleys Aged Care in East Bendigo to deliver inspiring side-by-side concerts together with Artistic Patrons - Flinders Quartet.
Starting in 2025, we’re taking the music on the road.
Our exciting End-of-Year Concert will debut at Westside Mooroopna in Shepparton, launching a new tradition of bringing our most inspiring event to regional communities across Victoria.
Over the next five years, we’ll tour the state — celebrating talent, connecting communities, and showcasing the incredible achievements of our young musicians in a new regional centre each year.
Tickets to our EOY 25 event go on sale on 1st August - Link to come soon.