String Project@Wayne, WSU's successful community school for string education will hold information sessions and registration on Saturday, August 21 and Saturday, August 28 in Old Main. The intensive teacher-training and string education program, directed by Dr. Laura Roelofs, Associate Professor of Music, offers three levels of lessons for the violin, viola, cello and bass, for Detroit-area children in grades three to five, (bass students through grade six) taught by WSU music performance or music education undergraduate students. No prior experience is necessary, but children with a year or more of string training may join at Level II or III.

Every Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon, and Saturday throughout the school year, more than 150 children come to Old Main to learn fundamental physical skills, elementary music theory and ear-training. Classes are small-no more than 10 students to a teacher-and cost approximately $4 per session. Each December and April, a final performance is held at Orchestra Hall to enthusiastic audiences.

String Project@Wayne receives grants from WSU's Office of the Vice President for Research and the NAMM and D'Addario Foundations, among others. Additional funding for 2010-11 has allowed the program to expand its teaching corps, and increase enrollment capacity by about 40%, while keeping tuition costs at $4 per class.

Information session and registration will begin at 9:30 am on August 21 and August 28 in the Schaver Music Recital Hall, 480 W. Hancock St. in Old Main. Pre-registration is ongoing; an application form is available at: http://www.music.wayne.edu/files/2010-11_sp_application_updated.pdf

For more information, please visit http://www.music.wayne.edu/stringproject, or email Dr. Laura Roelofs at llroelofs@wayne.edu.