The Anything Can Happen Music Instrument Fund was set up recently to provide musical opportunity to students who show an aptitude beyond the quality of their instrument.

A new violin has given Isabella the confidence to keep on playing, she said.

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“It felt very...new, because the violin I had was old and it was new, so it sounded a lot better,” Isabella said.

“Because I’ve been awarded with the violin and it’s given me the confidence to want to keep playing.”

Isabella’s mum Janine Davies credits the new instrument with boosting her daughter’s confidence while learning violin.

“I think it kept her more motivated to practise more often,” Mrs Davies said.

“Being that she was new in playing she felt not as confident in her ability to play...to be nominated for this by her music teacher gave her the confidence that she was improving.”

Taking up the violin was “like learning to walk again” according to Alisha Dominguez.

She didn’t know anything, it was hard, and it took up a lot of time.

But she has always loved music, and to create music herself is fun.

She was given a violin halfway through this year, after learning for more than a year.

Her new violin allowed her to create music that sounds like real music.

“The violin is much louder and smoother,” Alisha said.

“It’s a proper instrument, it means things are getting real here, it’s not a plastic toy.”

Alisha and Isabella will hopefully be the first of many students to be given a violin.

The trust gives chance to excel where students may otherwise have been held back, according to committee member Nigel MacLean.

Mr MacLean is also head of strings at Bendigo Instrumental Music Program. He teaches both Isabella and Alisha.

Violin is a hard instrument to learn, and so the tone of an instrument make a huge difference, Mr MacLean said.

It’s nothing glamorous the trust plans to provide. Just a good student instrument that will see learners through their exams to the end of their schooling.

Alisha and Isabella were both enthusiastic, hardworking and skilled students, struggling on instruments that were difficult to play.

Giving them a proper violin has set both girls up to reach their potential.

“The aptitude that these kids have… shines through,” Mr MacLean said.

“These two girls both practise hard, they’re really hard workers, they’re good students.”

“Having an instrument that really responds is really important.”

While the selection process is still being refined, students will be selected on the basis of enthusiasm, dedication, aptitude, need and personal story. Mr MacLean sees that it is likely that teachers will nominate suitable students.

It currently hopes to provide one or two violins to Australian students every year, but will look at opening up the opportunity to learners on all instruments.

Isabella and Alisha will perform in the Bendigo Chamber Strings Presentation Concert on Wednesday November 7, 6pm, at the Stratagem Theatre Ulumbarra. Admission is free.

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