General Information:

The CSUS String Project is the flagship program of this kind in the West and a member of the National String Project Consortium. We provide carefully structured group lessons in violin and cello for children in the third or fourth grade and up.  The lessons are taught by Master Teacher Judy Bossuat and the dedicated and talented CSUS School of Music undergraduate and graduate teachers. Lessons are available at affordable prices due to the generous support of The Teichert Foundation, String Letter Publishing and the National String Project Consortium.

Our mission is to:

• Provide our students with an opportunity for musical enjoyment and education through the study of stringed instruments.

• Encourage the personal development of our students by providing them with an outlet for self expression within a structured environment.
   
• Encourage student leadership in school orchestra programs and share our accomplishments within the community, acting as a supplement to the current string programs in the school systems, or as a substitute string program for children who do not have access through their school.
  
  
• Create a partnership by providing accessible string education and mentorship for our students and teaching experience for CSUS School of Music students who may be pursuing a career in string education. 

The Program:

The String Project currently offers large group classes at different levels: beginners, and intermediate/upper intermediate. The groups join together to make an orchestra. An important aspect of the program is that students are charged affordable fees in order to make the program available to children who might not otherwise have access.

The Spring 2009 fee for a full semester of twice weekly classes will be $95.

Violin and cello are offered for instruction in these classes which meet Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:20 in rooms 227 and 223 in Capistrano Hall on the CSU Sacramento campus. Parents are encouraged to attend classes whenever possible. Parents of third graders are asked to attend class weekly. Students need to provide their own instruments. Information about obtaining an instrument is given at registration.

String Project students typically follow this progression:

1st year
The beginning students in the String Project are third/fourth through eighth graders from schools in the Sacramento area. During their first year, these students learn the basics of string playing in a heterogeneous class of approximately thirty to fifty students. The master teacher and the teaching apprentices teach the class. During the school year students can pre-register and be put on a waiting list for the beginner's class which starts in September of every year. From May-August, interested students should send in the registration forms found on the registration page. Students are accepted on a first come-first serve basis with children already on the waiting list given priority.

Once registered for the large group/orchestra classes, optional individual lessons or small group lessons are available for an additional fee. These classes are scheduled from 5:30-6:20 on Monday and Wednesday on a space available basis. More information is available on the registration page.

2nd year and up
Students are grouped in a heterogeneous group to create an orchestral experience. The master teacher and the teaching apprentices teach the classes.

Optional individual lessons are available for a small additional fee. These classes are scheduled from 5:30-6:20 on Monday and Wednesday on a space available basis. These additional lesson possibilities are highly recommended in order to help the students achieve their potential. More information is available on the registration page.

Performances:
Students in the String Project Orchestra have two major performing opportunities. In December and May the String Project presents major concerts in the Capistrano Hall's Recital Hall for an overflowing, enthusiastic audience. All students join together for this presentation.

In the summer we encourage the students to contact one of the apprentice teachers to further their study on an individual basis. Recitals are possible.

Mission of California State University , Sacramento String Project:

The String Project is a quintessential model of service-learning. It allows undergraduate and graduate students to learn new skills, to think critically, and to test their roles as professionals while offering low cost instruction in stringed instruments to children from the community. Since 2001, the String Project has been training students and teachers in the joys of playing and teaching stringed instruments.

The String Project allows future graduates to refine their teaching skills while still in school. There is currently a documented shortage of qualified string teachers. College students who graduate from the String Project will arrive at these jobs confident and well prepared to be effective teachers. Given that 67% of the nation's children are exposed to music instruction through school programs, it is imperative to fill these jobs with qualified teachers. The String Project endeavors to provide quality instruction to children of all social strata.

Read more about this national program at the
National String Project Consortium web site.