Arts & Culture

String Project Lessons Are Music to Kids' Ears

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2009) - The nationally distinguished University of Kentucky String Project (UKSP) in its ninth year of operation returns for its fall session on Saturday, Sept. 19. The program provides children in the Bluegrass region with low-cost instrument instruction courses on violin, viola, cello and bass.

UKSP offers instruction at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels in both the fall and spring semesters. Children age 8 or older are invited to enroll in UKSP. Classes for the fall semester will be held every Saturday at the UK Fine Arts Building on Rose Street. The program will culminate with the UKSP Fall Concert in November.

UKSP's beginner course costs $110 per semester and intermediate and advanced courses are $135 per semester, approximately $10 per lesson. The fall semester's beginner courses will run 9 to 10 a.m., and intermediate and advanced courses, for students with one or more years experience, will run from 10 a.m. to noon beginning Sept. 19. The enrollment form can be found at the UKSP Web site at www.uky.edu/FineArts/Music/uksp.

The UKSP's teachers are UK music students under the guidance of experienced educator mentors Daniel Santelices, professor of violin at Asbury College; Nancy Campbell, faculty member at Fayette County Public Schools' School for the Creative and Performing Arts; Margie Karp, coordinator of the strings at UK School of Music; and Kristen Kline, graduate assistant for UKSP.

Daniel Mason, associate professor of violin and Lexington Philharmonic concertmaster, directs UKSP, a member of the National String Project Consortium. Mason also serves the national program as a member of the executive board.

Enrollment for UKSP is limited and is on a first come-first served basis. To reserve a spot space in the program or to get more information, contact UKSP at (859) 257-9683 or e-mail to ukstringproject@gmail.com.