Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music presents the UGA String Project spring concert Monday, April 24, at 5 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
The UGA String Project’s mission is to help strengthen teacher education programs by providing practical hands-on training for undergraduate music education majors and group classes for elementary age students at a reasonable price.
“One of the best things about the String Project is the cost,” said Carolina Melchiori, a doctoral student at UGA and teacher in the program. “We only charge $60 for two classes of 50 minutes per week for the entire semester. A single private lesson of an hour would cost between $30 and $60. Besides, the String Project not only teaches every student to play their instrument but also to play in a group. We focus on the musical concepts of notes, rhythms and theory while also teaching the students how to be part of a string orchestra – how to perform as part of a group with other musicians. This encourages partnership and friendship. We have a concert at the end of each semester that provides an incentive for the students to show their progress.”
Part of the American String Project Consortium and sponsored by the American String Teachers Association, the UGA String Project is now self-supporting. Next year classes will begin on Sept. 6 and run through Dec. 6. The first year is open to all students in grades two through five. No previous musical experience is needed.
“Studying music at a young age helps in the growing process,” said Melchiori. “It stimulates the brain not only in the learning of new concepts but also by developing and sharpening the sense of hearing and providing another way to experience emotions.”
For further information or to register, contact Michael Heald, director of the program, at 706/542-4740 or mheald@uga.edu, or visit http://www.uga.edu/music/cello/string/project.
With 50 faculty members, 55 graduate assistants, 350 undergraduates and about 150 graduate students, the Hodgson School is one of the largest units in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. The school offers majors in music composition, music education, music performance, conducting, musicology, music theory and music therapy. It is also home to more than 30 faculty and student instrumental and vocal ensembles.
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