As 2023 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on an incredible year at Simply for Strings with immense gratitude. It's been a wonderful year of community building, shared laughter, exciting renovations, many birthday cakes, cuddles with four-legged friends, and, above all, helping people make more music.
Here are some of our highlights for 2023...
Community Outreach
At Simply for Strings, we love hitting the road and connecting with regional communities. Bringing the joy of music to these areas is what drives us. In fact, our business was built on the idea of bringing music education and quality string instruments to regional towns across Queensland. Back in 2005, our founders would drive from town to town, not just to sell instruments, but to also help educate students, parents, and teachers right in their own homes and schools.
We had many exciting opportunities this year to hit the road and engage with our local community as well as some regional communities. Highlights include our trip to Millmerran where we donated over ten instruments to the community, our String Garden at QPAC for Queensland Symphony Orchestra's The Lost Thing and driving up to Bundaberg to visit schools in Wide Bay region.
1. Millie with a young girl in Millmerran playing a violin for the first time.
2. Simply for Strings car in front of the Millmerran historical mural.
3. Bella demonstrating a cello for a young girl in our String Garden at QPAC for Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
4. Our Education Manager, Jacqui, at Bundaberg Christian College presenting the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at their Gala Concert
Our Four Legged-friends
Beyond the world of music, we also find joy in the delightful presence of our four-legged friends. Be it our own cherished pets, our customers' special companions, or the friendly neighbourhood cat, Henri, who loves exploring the Old Church.
1. Luthier Mel with her beautiful Darla, and our founder Anna with little Missy.
2. Henri the neighbourhood cat exploring our store.
3. Imogen with Yvonne's gorgeous cavalier puppy, Rosy-Mae.
4. Darla getting comfy on the Showroom couch.
Celebrating our Team
One sweet highlight that stands out – the ridiculous number of cakes we devoured at Simply for Strings! Birthdays, milestones, and achievements became synonymous with delectable treats as we celebrated the incredible accomplishments of our dedicated staff.
1. Celebrating Caley's birthday in-store
2. Hugh treating the team to a delicious vegan berry pie he baked himself.
3. A BIG lemon cake for Anna's birthday celebration.
4. And finally, a cake celebrating Michael's nine year work anniversary.
Christmas Strings Spectacular
The echoes of joy and the beautiful melodies are still lingering from our community Christmas carols. A special note of appreciation goes out to our extraordinary special guest performers – Harper, Eli, Charlie, and Chantelle, who joined the Simply for Strings team to perform beautiful carols for our community. What a magical evening it was at the Christmas Strings Spectacular!
1. Charlie, Chantelle and Harper backstage.
2. Millie and Chantelle smiling together after the wonderful performance.
3. Eli, Charlie, Chantelle and Harper watching the SFS ensemble from side of stage.
4. New best friends, Eli and Josh, giving a big thumbs up after the show.
More Key Moments in 2023
1. Kirra and Sophie with over one hundreds parcels packed during our Make Music Sale.
2. Bidding farewell to our previous Education Manager, Teegan, with beautiful flowers and an impressive cheese board spread.
3. Russel's last day at Couriers Please. Russell had been collecting and delivering parcels to us since 2006. That’s a whopping 18,500 online orders collected by Russell himself over the years.
4. Millie collecting a double bass from a school with a nasty neck break that we repaired.
1. Michael and Josh twinning at work.
2. Watching the sunset over Brisbane City from our Showroom.
3. Anna having new headshots taken by Anthony Atkinson.
4. Renovating our Warehouse and Workshop spaces.
