South Georgia String Project Hosts Informational Meeting Jan. 20

VALDOSTA — The South Georgia String Project, a joint venture of the Valdosta State University Department of Music and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, will host an informational meeting and registration session for new students at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, in the Fine Arts Building Choir Room. Community members interested in learning how to play violin, viola, cello, or double bass are invited to attend.

Operating under the leadership of Dr. Kristin Pfeifer Yu, director and master teacher, the South Georgia String Project provides an after-school music program where community members ages 8 to adult can easily access low-cost stringed instrument instruction. It also provides a valuable, mentored teaching experience for students pursuing music degrees at Valdosta State University.

Class fees are $60 per semester, with a $120 maximum per family.

The South Georgia String Project offers technique classes, private lessons, and four levels of group classes. Performances are held several times a year both on campus and out in the community.

First semester Explorer Strings students, those with no previous string-playing experience, meet from 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Second semester Explorer Strings students who have reached certain developmental milestones meet from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.  

Allegro Strings is an intermediate orchestra open to returning and/or experienced students without an audition and meets from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Concert Strings is a string orchestra open to returning and/or experienced students by audition or recommendation of the director and meets from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.  

The Valdosta Youth Symphony Orchestra is a full orchestra for advanced students; placement and seating is by audition only. This group, which meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. on Mondays, includes VSU and area high school string, wind, brass, and percussion students, as well as adult amateurs. Participating students must also play in their public school ensembles. Kellen Gray, assistant conductor of the American Prize-winning Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, leads this group.

Private instruction is available and recommended for all students, including those who wish to study piano. Weekly one-on-one lessons are arranged with a VSU student assistant. The 30-minute lessons cost $15 each.

Founded in 1993, the South Georgia String Project encourages the enjoyment of music and self-expression through the study of a musical instrument and actively seeks to provide opportunities for student leadership, parental participation, and involvement in the greater community.

The American String Teacher Association named the South Georgia String Project the 2011 National String Project of the Year.

Many South Georgia String Project students continue their stringed instrument studies in college. Some have performed with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra.

VSU’s Fine Arts Building is located at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street.

Email sgsp@valdosta.edu or visit www.valdostasymphony.org/sgsp/ to learn more about the South Georgia String Project.

On the Web:

www.stringprojects.org

www.facebook.com/southgeorgiastringproject

http://valdostasymphony.org/sgsp/

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.