The IUP String Project,
a community music education outreach program for children ages five to
eighteen in Indiana and the surrounding area, is now accepting
applications for private lesson instruction on violin, viola, cello, and
bass.
Applications are due on September 15, 2011, and lessons will begin on
September 19. For more information and an application, please contact
Dr. Linda Jennings at ljenning@iup.edu or 724-357-2649.
The IUP String Project curriculum consists of weekly private lessons
and group lessons scheduled at different times throughout the year.
Lessons are thirty minutes to one hour in length, depending upon the age
and advancement of each student. Ensemble classes designed to reinforce
concepts and techniques learned in private lessons as well as develop
other musical skills, such as ensemble playing, leadership skills, etc.
are included in the program. At the end of each semester, students also
have the opportunity to perform solo and ensemble pieces on recitals.
Lessons, group classes, and recitals take place on the IUP campus and
are taught by IUP music students. The IUP String Project is designed to
support the string programs in the public schools. Therefore, all
students enrolled in the IUP String Project must also be enrolled in
their school orchestra program, if one is available.
The IUP String Project also provides a teacher-training program for
IUP music students who are the teachers in the program. The program
provides hands-on practical experience teaching one-on-one lessons, as
well as teaching groups in a classroom setting and conducting a string
orchestra. In addition, teachers gain invaluable experience
participating in recruiting programs in public and private schools,
gaining teaching ideas and guidance at regular pedagogy meetings, and
receiving feedback on their teaching.
The IUP String Project is one of thirty-two similar programs joined
under the auspices of the National String Project Consortium, dedicated
to promoting string music education in the United States. As a member of
the NSPC, the IUP String Project joins in addressing the two main
issues facing string education today: 1) the low numbers of public
schools that offer string music education programs to children, and 2)
the critical shortage of string teachers in the U.S. The program is
directed by IUP music faculty member Dr. Linda Jennings.
For more information visit the IUP String Project.