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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Classes

String Project provides many different options for students who are interested in pursuing excellence in string playing. Group classes are offered to students in 3rd through 8th grade, modeled on the public school string class experience. Each class lasts around 10-11 weeks. Private lessons are also offered to students enrolled in the Vivace and Sinfonia classes.

Getting Started with the String Project

Beginning Students

The next Dolce Class for beginning 3rd and 4th grade students will begin on September 22, 2025. Information Night for new families will take place on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in Cook Hall room 212. The Info Night presentation will include details about the program, scholarship opportunities, and instrument rental information. Time will be provided for children to try out the violin, viola, cello and double bass. There is no need to pre-register for Info Night. Parents of new students can wait to register for String Project until after their child has chosen which instrument they would like to play. Please note, Info Night is not a drop-off event!

New Families with Prior Experience

Students with prior experience playing a stringed instrument, whether through private lessons or their school program, are welcome to join our program at the beginning of each semester. Students are asked to play a placement audition so that teachers can recommend the class that best suits each student’s level. We will hold placement auditions for new students on Monday, September 8, beginning at 4:15 p.m. If you have questions about the audition process, please email stringproject@IllinoisState.edu.

Sign up for a placement audition

Locations

On-Campus Classes
Cook Hall
200 S. University St.
Normal IL 61761

Julian Hall
251 S. School St.
Normal, IL 61761

Registration Fee

$36
One per household required every academic year in the fall unless joining in the spring.

Current Classes

Dolce (1st year, grades 3 and 4 only)

The Dolce class is our class for beginning string students. Enrollment is limited to students entering 3rd and 4th grade in the fall (at least age 8 by September 1). Students learn the basics of string playing, including correct posture, plucking and playing with the bow, tone development, note-reading, and counting.

Tuition: $180 per semester, plus yearly registration fee

Class Schedule

Weekly Full Group Class
Mondays 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Cook Hall 212

Weekly Small Group "Pod" Class
Wednesdays 5:15-6 p.m. OR Fridays 4:15-5 p.m.
Rooms in Julian Hall TBA

Allegro (2nd year class)

The Allegro class is for students who have played for approximately one year. Students are typically in 4th-6th grade. The class continues skills learned in the first year of string playing, adding new notes, more complicated rhythms, new bowing styles and articulations, and other elements of musicianship. Correct posture is carefully monitored. Concert repertoire includes beginning string orchestra music.

Tuition: $180 per semester, plus yearly registration fee

Class Schedule

Weekly Full Group Class
Fridays 4:15-5:15 p.m. 
Cook Hall room 212

Weekly Small Group “Pod” Class
Mondays 4:15-5 p.m. OR Wednesdays 6:15-7 p.m.
Rooms in Julian Hall TBA

Vivace (mixed Intermediate)

The Vivace class is an intermediate-level string orchestra. Most students are in 5th-8th grade. The curriculum emphasizes comprehensive musicianship with a focus on key signatures, scales, sight-reading, and ensemble playing. Students typically remain in the Vivace class for more than one year as the repertoire and curriculum vary from year to year.

Private lessons are strongly encouraged.

Tuition: $175 per semester, plus yearly registration fee

Class Schedule

Weekly Full Group Class
Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. 
Cook Hall 212

Sectionals
Fridays 4:15-5 p.m., once or twice monthly
Cook Hall 305
The sectional schedule will be emailed the first week of classes each semester to all enrolled students.

Sinfonia (Advanced Middle School Orchestra)

The Sinfonia class is an advanced intermediate level string orchestra; students must audition and be accepted into the orchestra to register. The group performs repertoire in a variety of styles. All students in Sinfonia must take private lessons, either through String Project or with another string teacher in the community. In addition to the two formal String Project concerts, the Sinfonia class typically performs at community events several times during the year. Once accepted into the class, students do not need to re-audition.

Tuition: $175 per semester, plus yearly registration fee

Audition Requirements

  1. Scales as follows:
    • Violin- G, A, Bb, C, and D Major (2 octaves)
    • Viola- C, D, F, Eb, and G Major (2 octaves)
    • Cello- C, G, D, F, and A Major (2 octaves)
    • Bass- E, F, G, and A Major (1 octave)
  2. A solo of the student's choice (Suzuki Book 2 or piece of comparable level)
  3. Sight-reading (provided at the audition)

Audition Sign-Up

Class Schedule

Weekly Full Group Class
Mondays 5:30-6:45 p.m. 
Cook Hall 308

Sectionals
Fridays 5:15-6 p.m., once or twice monthly 
Cook Hall 305
The sectional schedule will be emailed the first week of classes each semester to all enrolled students.

Private Lessons

Students in Vivace or Sinfonia have the opportunity to take private lessons through String Project, which are taught on-campus. Lessons are 30 minutes long and there are 10 lessons each semester (Fall and Spring).

On-campus lesson days/times are arranged individually between the student and teacher. Each String Project student enrolled in lessons is invited to participate in a solo recital, scheduled at the end of fall and spring semesters.

Tuition: $180 for 10 half hour lessons

Scholarship and Application

Thanks to support from local organizations and private donations, String Project is able to provide some scholarship support to students with financial need.

If your child is eligible for free/reduced lunches, please complete our Scholarship Information and Application.

Scholarship Information and Application